Bryce was hired as our Ranchlands Program Manager in May 2009 to oversee our 2,300-acre working ranch in Deer Lodge, Montana.  He maintains a field office on the ranch, and works toward achieving innovative and environmentally sustainable land management practices on our deeded and leased land.  When he's not handling daily tasks such as herding cattle, fixing fence, and making hay, Bryce works on community building and outreach related to Superfund Cleanup in the Deer Lodge Valley and posts a blog on the Clark Fork Coalition website.  Bryce comes to us with experience ranching in the Madison Valley, on the doorstep of Yellowstone Park, where he worked on finding a balance between the needs of livestock and wildlife.  He holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies from The University of Montana, and has written freelance articles for environmental magazines and journals.  When he's off the clock, Bryce heads uphill to jog, hike, or camp in the mountains. Email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 208.

Jill Alban, Communications and Outreach Manager

Jill joined the CFC team in 2008.  She manages the Coalition website, handles all social marketing, writes newsletters, grant proposals, reports, and publications, and coordinates our Climate Action in the Clark Fork program.  She serves on the City of Missoula's Climate Action Task Force and is a member of River Network's Peer Learning Network on Water and Energy, a national network of conservation professionals.  Jill received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia in 2000, followed by an M.F.A. and M.A. in Literature from the University of Montana in 2006.  Other employment highlights include: managing the Online Program in Nonprofit Administration at The University of Montana, teaching English Composition at The University of Montana, and working in public relations and marketing in the sports and entertainment field while living in Washington DC and Buffalo, NY.  Other hobbies include writing, running, biking, skiing, fly-fishing, and backpacking with her husband.  Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 206.

Chris Brick, PhD, Science Director

Chris started with the Coalition as a board member, serving for four years until we tapped her in 2001 for the job as science director. A hydrogeologist and water quality specialist by training, Chris knows metals and arsenic and what they do to rivers and groundwater. She’s our go-to for gauging the health of the mining waste-plagued Clark Fork and figuring out restoration solutions. Her career odyssey started with a B.A. in geology at Carleton College, followed by a stint as an exploration geologist in the mining industry. A desire to study impacts from mining landed her at University of Montana for a master’s degree in Environmental Studies, a doctoral degree in Geology, and a post-doctoral focus on science education, including teaching for several years at the University. Whenever she gets the chance, she heads to the hills for running, climbing, biking or skiing.  Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 202.

Andy Fischer, Project Manager

Andy works to restore streamflows to creeks and rivers in Western Montana.  He partners with water right holders and irrigation groups on projects that benefit both fish and farmers.  These types of projects include water conservation measures such as canal piping, water leasing and diversion reduction agreements.   He works closely with water users and other stakeholder groups applying for grants, researching water rights, negotiating water purchase agreements, hiring and overseeing contractors and engineers, managing budgets and monitoring project effectiveness.   Andy was born and raised in Missoula and has an intimate knowledge of the waterways of Western Montana.  He holds an MS in Resource Conservation with an emphasis in water resource management from the University of Montana and a BA in Environmental Studies from Whitman College.   Andy’s past experience includes working for the Deschutes River Conservancy in Central Oregon managing large-scale irrigation canal piping projects that conserved and pressurized irrigation water.  In his free time, Andy enjoys exploring Montana through hunting, fishing, biking, and skiing.  Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 210.

Katie Gaut, Monitoring Coordinator/GIS Analyst

Hired in 2010, Katie brings invaluable GIS and monitoring experience to the Coalition. She manages the monitoring aspects of the Vital Rivers Initiative and assists in identifying and evaluating streamflow restoration projects.  Before joining the Coalition, Katie worked for the Montana Water Trust in a similar capacity.  She was born and raised in Ninemile, Montana, and returned in 2006 after ten years exploring the marine and fresh waters of Oregon, Alaska, Australia, and Hawai'i. Katie received her B.S. in Marine Biology from Southern Oregon University, focusing on water quality and invasive species research. After spending years as a marine biologist in Alaska, she traded in her drysuit for the warmer waters of Hawai'i. There she obtained her 100-Ton US Coast Guard license, captained a 50' sailboat on the Big Island for 2 years and earned her M.S. in Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.  Her thesis focused on hydrologic modeling of non-point source pollution to aid land use planning and resource management. Katie's hobbies include sailing, fly fishing, skiing, rock-climbing, and riding her motorcycle.  Question for Katie?  Try This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 209.

Barbara Hall, Legal Director

Barbara began crafting streamflow restoration projects for the Montana Water Trust right out of law school.  After a brief stint in private practice, she returned to the Water Trust as its executive director in 2008.  Barbara became a key member of our staff in 2010 when the Water Trust joined forces with the Coalition.  She now coordinates our Water Watch program, to ensure that restoration projects in the basin are up-to-par and that new industry proposals follow strict environmental guidelines.  Barbara also continues to work closely with our project managers on developing water right transactions across the basin. She currently serves on the board of the Missoula Chapter of the Montana Conservation Voters. Barbara holds a BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina and a JD from the University of Montana School of Law. When she’s not in the office, you might find Barbara running or skiing in the hills around Missoula or trying to keep up with her 3 year-old daughter.  Contact Barbara at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 211.

Karen Knudsen, Executive Director

Karen was hired as director in April 2007.   She has worked with the Coalition for 18 years in a variety of capacities, including director of its River Smart Growth program, communications director, business manager, and education and outreach coordinator.  Karen is part of the Healthy Headwaters Working Group for Carpe Diem West, an organization that engages diverse stakeholders in developing strategies for addressing climate change impacts on water in the American West.  She also serves on the board of the Watershed Restoration Coalition, a landowner-driven nonprofit working to conserve natural resources through stream restoration in the Upper Clark Fork basin.  Prior to joining the Coalition in 1993, Karen worked as a research associate for a forestry/economics research firm in Portland, where she conducted economic, policy, and financial research on national forest management issues.  She holds a B.A. in Economics from Colorado College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University.  In her spare time, she’s outdoors as much as possible, enjoying Montana rivers and mountains with her husband and two children.  Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 203.

Ellie Long, AmeriCorps Member

Ellie joined the Clark For Coalition as a Big Sky Watershed Corps (Americorps) member in the fall of 2011.  Her year-long stint at CFC has her  developing education and outreach opportunities for citizens throughout the watershed.  Specifically, Ellie is developing workshops and courses like "Working with Water" and "Living Near Water" for agricultural and urban landowners.  She's also helping craft volunteer learning opportunities, like riparian planting, river cleanups and weed pulls, for the basin's students.  Ellie graduated with a BA from the University of Montana’s Environmental Studies Program with a focus in Sustainable Water Resources and Watersheds in 2011.  In her free time, she enjoys wildlife photography, biking, swimming, and exploring all of Montana’s great recreational opportunities with her two dogs.

William McDowell, Stream Restoration Director

As point-person for the Vital Rivers Initiative, Will heads up our integrated stream restoration projects in the Upper Clark Fork.  The Vital Rivers Initiative is building strong relationships with key partners, including agricultural landowners, conservation districts, local governments, state agencies and non-profits like the Watershed Restoration Coalition and Trout Unlimited to achieve landscape-level stream conservation. Our efforts integrate stream flow restoration, fish passage improvements and habitat restoration, so that water quality and aquatic life benefit from a healthy, reconnected watershed from “ridge to river.”  This approach will maximize the benefit of the Superfund cleanup in the Clark Fork river floodplain by rewatering-reconnecting-restoring the tributaries which provide the river with its vitality.  Will comes to the Coalition with a wealth of experience in watershed restoration. Most recently, he worked for the Tri-State Water Quality Council, coordinating efforts to reduce nutrient pollution and noxious algae in the Clark Fork.  He also worked in watershed restoration internationally for many years, including stints in Bolivia, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Panama, Armenia, and China. He lives with his family and a few too many dogs in Missoula. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 204.

Brianna Randall, Water Policy Director

Brianna joined the staff in June 2007, after three years at the Montana Water Trust -- a non-profit that later merged with the Coalition in 2010.  As Water Policy Director at the Coalition, she helps shape local, state and federal water regulations and incentives that protect clean water and keep streams flowing.  Brianna also develops educational tools to raise awareness about protection and restoration efforts in the basin.  These tools include a course for real estate professionals, publications like Low Flows, Hot Trout, and learning opportunities that connect citizens to their waterways.  Brianna holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of San Diego, and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana.  Her history working on behalf of clean water includes: presentations in Australia, China, and Spain on Western water issues, stints at San Diego BayKeeper, Helix Water District, the Montana Natural History Center, and teaching at a variety of marine, freshwater, and other outdoor education centers.  She currently serves on the board of the Montana Smart Growth Coalition and is a member of the Clark Fork Task Force.  Brianna snaps up free moments to dance, sail, hike, dive, bike, and snowboard. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 542-0539, ext. 201.

Liz Underwood, Development Associate

We were thrilled to have Liz join our team in 2010 as our new development associate.  Liz comes to us from the Chicago area, where she had experience in fundraising, communications, and administration.  She graduated in 2003 from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in government.  Her good humor, willingness, and smile have made her transition to the team a seamless one.  Liz is thoroughly enjoying all that living and recreating have to offer in Montana, and in her off time she enjoys hiking, music, animals, football, and getting out to enjoy the local rivers and culture in Missoula.  Stop by our office and say hello, or contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alicia Vanderheiden, Development Director

Alicia Vanderheiden started with the Clark Fork Coalition in January 2012.  As Development Director, she will play a significant role in delivering on the ground conservation results and building an informed, engaged base of constituents who will advocate and support the cause for a healthy Clark Fork watershed.  Alicia is an accomplished conservation fundraiser with an intimate knowledge of watershed work in Montana and an appetite for new challenges.  She holds a BS in Landscape Architecture from Penn State University and an MSc in Protected Landscape Management from the University of Wales. A former Peace Corps volunteer, she worked in natural resource management and conservation education in Uganda, East Africa from 1995-2001 and has been a leader in landscape scale conservation efforts in Montana for over eight years with both the Blackfoot Challenge and statewide Montana Watershed Coordination Council.  In her spare time, Alicia advocates for rural communities and youth through her role with the Missoula County Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee and the Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp.  She and her son Corbin lead an active rural lifestyle in the lower Blackfoot Valley and enjoy the heck out of the outdoors each season through a variety of activities from gardening to skiing.  Alicia is an avid community volunteer, loves international food and travel and lives for Halloween.

140 4th St. W., Unit #1
Missoula, MT 59801

Mail:
PO Box 7593
Missoula, MT 59807

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T 406/542-0539

F 406/542-5632