Adirondack scientist, photographer, and conservation advocate Brendan Wiltse has joined Paul Smith’s College as Visiting Assistant Professor with its new Masters of Science program and Water Quality Director with the college’s Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI). Wiltse is a graduate of Paul Smith’s College and earned his Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Ontario.
Wiltse moves to the college from the Ausable River Association (AsRA) where for six years as Science and Stewardship Director he contributed to the group’s efforts to protect the Ausable River watershed through science and community engagement.
Most notably Wiltse has led scientific research and monitoring on Mirror Lake wherein his findings contributed to a road salt reduction pilot program by the New York State Department of Transportation along Route 86, as well as actions by businesses and local municipalities to reduce their salt use.
Wiltse also holds a national accreditation as a Certified Lake Manager through the North American Lake Management Society and is a co-Director with the Adirondack Lakes Alliance. His academic training focused on the ecological history of lakes and their historical response to climate change and has a long list of publications in scientific journals on a broad range of environmental topics.
Wiltse is expected to teach classes in September in natural resource management for the college’s new graduate program. Starting this fall, students can earn a MS in Natural Resources Conservation at Paul Smith’s where they can choose from three concentrations, Forest Resource Management, Sustainable Communities or Aquatic Resource Management. The program is designed to be completed in 12 months, mostly delivered online to accommodate students pursing their advanced degree while continuing their careers. Students are also required to participate in three immersive residencies in and around the Paul Smith’s College campus.
In addition, Wiltse will lead AWI’s water quality programming, including its water monitoring and inventory programs. He started his new position on August 10, 2020.
To learn more about Paul Smith’s College’s Masters of Science program, visit https://gradschool.paulsmiths.edu/
The mission of the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed institute is to protect clean water, conserve habitat and support the health and well-being of people in the Adirondacks through scientific inquiry, stewardship and real world experiences for students. https://www.adkwatershed.org/
The Ausable River Association was formed in 1998 with the mission of helping communities protect their streams and lakes. For more information, visit their website.
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