Karin Boyd Receives Montana Wetland Stewardship Award
Integrating Applied Science, Natural Functions and Human Relationships into River Restoration Work
Karin Boyd’s work on river systems in Montana and the west is unparalleled. Since 1988 she has studied and worked on hundreds of streams in Montana, working collaboratively with local partners and interdisciplinary scientists to develop sound approaches to restore and protect functioning river systems. Karin’s knowledgeable, creative, and practical approach consistently benefits river systems, floodplains, wetlands, and users.
As owner of Applied Geomorphology Inc., Karin is recognized nationally and internationally for her fluvial geomorphology knowledge and holistic understanding of river systems and their unique complexities. Her work has spanned small-scale projects such as site remediations to large-scale river- wide assessments. In particular, Karin’s work helping to develop Channel Migration Zone (CMZ) mapping on nearly 1,500 miles of Montana’s rivers has made an indelible mark. Her work has involved landowners, land managers, and regulatory agencies to develop CMZ maps that are unique to each river or river setting. The maps identify a management corridor based on historic natural processes, erosion and avulsion, and define an area for those process to continue in the future, recognizing rivers that are able to move can better adapt to changing conditions and support ecological diversity. These CMZ maps are continuously used for planning, education and restoration efforts throughout Montana.
“Karin’s work has always focused on finding a balance between functionality and impacts/benefits to the environment. She always looks beyond the issue at hand to see the broader system drivers – both physical and social – that are contributing to the issue and to create recommendations or solutions that are practical for those impacted and the environment. Her endless curiosity compels her to dig into the physical and social histories of a region. Often this extra effort leads to a unique understanding of what is influencing and contributing to current conditions. This, in turn, allows her to make management recommendations that support key ecological features of river corridors – floodplain connections, riparian succession, wetland creation and maintenance, elevated water tables, etc.” -Tony Thatcher, DTM Consulting, Inc.
Celebrating the Complexities and Mysteries of River Systems
Karin has the unique ability to translate complex geomorphic processes into relatable information. She wears many hats and is adept at “walking in others’ shoes” to understand their issues and foster discussion and collaborative solutions. She can equally kick the dirt with a rancher and talk about losing a costly pivot to bank erosion, dive into hydraulic modeling details with an engineer, and engage audiences with historical and geomorphic knowledge of river systems. Karin’s work has had broad impacts throughout Montana and her passion for investigating, understanding, and celebrating rivers and natural systems is contagious.
In recognition of her innovative, collaborative, and inclusive conservation work, the Montana Wetland Council (MWC) has selected Karin as a 2023 Wetland Stewardship Award recipient.
The biennial Wetland and Watershed Stewardship Awards are a joint project of Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC) and the MWC to honor individuals and groups providing innovation, locally-led approaches to conserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands and watersheds in Montana. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony co-hosted by MWCC and MWC on Wednesday, April 26 at the Holter Art Museum in Helena. The ceremony will be part of the 2023 MWCC Annual Meeting.
