The Science Advisory Committee provides scientific and technical guidance to WLI. Guidance focuses on WLI’s efforts to conduct research that results in valuable data for resource management decision makers in the Whitefish Lake Watershed and beyond. WLI has continuously worked to enhance data collection, scientific research, and the communication of research results on Whitefish Lake, its tributaries and local streams. WLI also partners with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to engage citizen scientists in the collection of limnological data and in early detection for Aquatic Invasive Species.
Meet The Science Advisory Committee
Fisheries Biologist – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Sam Bourret is a fisheries biologist for Montana, Fish, Wildlife, & Parks in Kalispell, MT. Sam has worked on a variety of fisheries and aquatic ecology projects in Connecticut, Wyoming, Idaho, California, and the high Andean Lakes of Ecuador. He received his M.S. degree from the University of Idaho where he study the impact of dams and reservoirs on the migration patterns of pacific salmon using naturally occurring isotopes and elements in fish otoliths or “ear bones.” Sam works to conserve and restore native fish and important aquatic habitats in the
Flathead Valley Montana by developing research projects that seek to understand the human impacts on aquatic systems. He uses innovative tools including geochemistry, stable isotopes, underwater video systems, Environmental DNA, and genetic markers to discern how humans and fish and wildlife can persist together into the future. Sam’s research has been featured by National Geographic, Big Sky Journal, and NPR.
Senior Fluvial Geomorphologist
Ryan Richardson is a River Restoration Group Manager at NV5. Ryan conducts river restoration efforts across the US ranging from dam removals to watershed assessments. Prior to joining NV5 Ryan worked as a fluvial geomorphologist at River Design Group, a geomorphic technician for the Rocky Mountain Research Station with the US Forest Service where he worked on mountain streams throughout Wyoming. Though Ryan has focused on rivers and streams, his expertise with remote sensing and drone application make him a great addition to the WLI team. Additionally, he has taught several courses in how to utilize drones for river and wetland sciences. Ryan holds a MS in Geography and Water Resources from Wyoming and a BS in Earth Science from Furman University. His educational background focused on studying rivers and how they change through time. Ryan is excited to apply the latest techniques in his field to our monitoring programs on Whitefish Lake and its tributaries
Science Teacher – Whitefish Middle School
Megan holds a B.S. in Geological Sciences from Tufts University. As a hydrologist for the USGS Water Science Center she collected water quality samples at several locations across Cape Cod and on the Charles River. She assisted with projects that sought to analyze long-term water quality datasets, heavy metal tracer tests, bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals, and phosphorous influx in estuarine settings. She spent a year interning as a hydrologist for the USGS Water Science Center before realizing that she wanted to be in a career that worked more directly with people.
Megan moved west and worked as a Park Ranger with Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest. During that time she inspired thousands of visitors and local residents to deepen their connection with our natural world while leading guided hikes, snowshoe tours, boat tours, evening talks, and youth field trips. More recently she earned a M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction from Montana State University and transitioned into teaching. Megan currently teaches 7th and 8th grade science at Whitefish Middle School. She has earned the distinction of National Board Certified Teacher. Megan runs a classroom that is lively and engaging with a goal of encouraging youth to strengthen their scientific skills and become informed citizens. On her days off she can be found hiking, biking, skiing, or grading papers!
Richard is the former Geographer for Glacier National Park. There he managed the park GIS program and applied that information to park management and related research and educational outreach programs. He retired from this position on January first 2024. Richard got his BS in Forest Management from Texas A&M University and his MS in Environmental Science and Regional Planning at Washington State University. There, his thesis married GIS and non-point source water pollution modeling to assess watershed health. Richard also works as the high school cross country and track and field coach at Columbia falls High school (1996-2024) and Whitefish High school (2015-present).
Science Teacher – Whitefish High School
Eric has been involved in scientific discovery and science education since 1999. He is currently a Science Teacher at Whitefish High School where he took over the Flathead River Educational Effort for Focused Learning in Our Watershed program (Project FREEFLOW). He came to Whitefish after 8 years of teaching for the Kalispell School District where he taught Earth Science, Biology, and IB Environmental Systems and Societies. Eric worked with colleagues to develop inquiry-based science curriculums, and as a Freshman Academy faculty member to ensure a positive and successful experience for incoming freshman. He raised funds to obtain research equipment and conduct field trips for the enrichment of his students; and challenged students to investigate current global issues through the empirical scientific model. Prior to teaching, Eric worked as a Lake Monitoring Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, as a Soil Scientist and Chemistry Lab Technician for the University of Montana, a Naturalist for Yosemite Valley School, and a Field Biologist for the Institute for Bird Populations. Eric has a MS in Secondary Science Education from MSU, Bozeman, and a BS in Ecology and Systematic Biology from Cal Poly.
Research Scientist – Flathead Lake Biological Station
Erin is a Research Scientist at the University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station, where she has been focusing on our transboundary rivers between the U.S. and Canada, since 2007. Her research focus encompasses the international landscape known as the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, with an emphasis on aquatic ecology and conservation biology, in our shared transboundary watersheds, between British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. Erin has been working in the Crown of the Continent since 2000, where she initiated her master’s work as a Kendall Foundation Fellow, focused on the terrestrial, and aquatic impacts of coalbed gas development in the Transboundary Flathead and Elk/Kootenai Rivers.
Erin is involved in several collaborations within and across the Crown of the Continent, with a focus on coordinating cross-border research, the intersection of applied science and multi-jurisdictional policy, assessment of mining impacts and ecological condition, and incorporating adaptation strategies for climate change. In 2015, she expanded her work on transboundary rivers to Northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, where she is working with colleagues in the region to evaluate the environmental impact and risk of mining in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers, and their tributaries.
Retired Fisheries Biologist – Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
John Wachsmuth is a fisheries conservation specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP). He has held a number of positions with MFWP since his first job assisting on a sauger and shovelnose fisheries study on the Tongue, Powder, and Yellowstone Rivers. He worked on a bull trout study in the Swan Valley and baseline water quality and fisheries data collection on Hungry Horse Reservoir.
John spearheaded the development of early citizen monitoring programs, and later the Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network. He was instrumental in guiding development of the first and second editions of the Montana Lake Book. John has a BS in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis on AIS from the University of Montana and an MS in Aquatic Natural Resource Management from the University of Denver.
Professor – Flathead Lake Biological Station
Matthew Church is a Professor at the Flathead Lake Biological Station where he specializes in aquatic microbial ecology. He has a MS and PhD in Marine Science from The College of William and Mary. He moved to Montana in 2016 after having spent more than a decade at the University of Hawaii. A major focus of his research is to help improve understanding of how microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, algae) control nutrient cycling lakes and oceans. Of particular interest are low nutrient habitats, including lakes across Montana. His collaborations span science occurring in the subtropical oceans and various projects studying the ecology of Flathead Lake and its tributaries.
