Maranda Nemeth combines expertise in engineering, permitting, and environmental monitoring with a love of rivers as she takes over management of ASF's Maine Headwaters Project.
Maranda Nemeth has joined the ASF U.S. team as manager of the Maine Headwaters Project, a multi-year initiative focused on removing barriers to fish passage for endangered Atlantic Salmon and 11 other migratory fish species in the state.
“With a background that includes a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Allegheny College, and experience in the civil engineering, managing field projects, and navigating the permitting process, she is just the right person to oversee projects on the Sheepscot, Kennebec and Penobscot rivers,” says John Burrows, Executive Director of U.S. Operations for ASF.
Maranda is familiar with ASF, having worked previously in a shared position funded by the Midcoast Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, ASF, and other state and local partners. In that role she helped coordinate the recent removal of the Coopers Mills Dam and the modification of the Head Tide Dam, both on the Sheepscot River.
“With a background that includes a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Allegheny College, and experience in the civil engineering, managing field projects, and navigating the permitting process, she is just the right person to oversee projects on the Sheepscot, Kennebec and Penobscot rivers,” says John Burrows, Executive Director of U.S. Operations for ASF.
Maranda is familiar with ASF, having worked previously in a shared position funded by the Midcoast Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, ASF, and other state and local partners. In that role she helped coordinate the recent removal of the Coopers Mills Dam and the modification of the Head Tide Dam, both on the Sheepscot River.
Maranda surveying a dam site on the Sheepscot River.
For Maranda, the variety of her role is exciting; everything from working in nature to community engagement and environmental education.
“I am really enjoying working on these rivers. You know your work making a difference," says Nemeth. “I love working in Maine. ASF gets things done and that's a good foundation to build on because Mainers want to see good things happen with their rivers."
“I am really enjoying working on these rivers. You know your work making a difference," says Nemeth. “I love working in Maine. ASF gets things done and that's a good foundation to build on because Mainers want to see good things happen with their rivers."
Early last winter Maranda Nemeth assisted with surveys of Atlantic salmon redds on the Sheepscot.
“I grew up on the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania, and from that came a love of the forests, streams and nature. Really, that led to the environmental work I do,” she adds.
In her new position with the Maine Headwaters Project, Maranda will be carrying on a program with a legacy of success. Headwaters compliments ASF's major restoration and dam removal projects, reopening critical cold-water tributaries and spawning habitat.
In her new position with the Maine Headwaters Project, Maranda will be carrying on a program with a legacy of success. Headwaters compliments ASF's major restoration and dam removal projects, reopening critical cold-water tributaries and spawning habitat.
Maranda Nemeth brings a familiarity with working on Maine's rivers. In this case it involved understanding the role played by areas clogged by branches and other debris.
Over the past decade, through dam removal, fish passage construction, and road culvert replacement, more than 35 Maine Headwaters projects have been completed, reopening over 1,000 miles of river and 24,000 acres of lake habitat to migratory fish species. As a result, Maine is witnessing tremendous increases in native fish populations not seen in 200 years.
Besides her expertise on fish passage, Maranda is an avid bird watcher, kayaker, and a learning fly fisher.
Besides her expertise on fish passage, Maranda is an avid bird watcher, kayaker, and a learning fly fisher.
Maranda Nemeth in a small kayak.
