- Division of Ecological Restoration
DER is pleased to announce the formation of its Ecological Restoration Engineering Group. This group is responsible for developing and implementing approaches to ensure proper design, integrity, and climate resiliency for DER's ecological restoration projects. A primary focus of the Engineering Group is to oversee and provide engineering technical assistance to DER Priority Projects and potential future projects, municipal projects supported by DER's Stream Continuity Program, and to our various partners and project stakeholders. The Engineering Group is also responsible for affirming that our river, tidal, and freshwater wetland restoration projects are technically sound and balance ecological objectives with the built environment. Finally, the Engineering Group provides leadership for other DER ecological restoration activities and internal and external capacity-building, with a focus on infrastructure and ecological restoration engineering.
The Engineering Group is led by Kristopher Houle, P.E., Senior Ecological Restoration Engineer, and supported by Carley Przystac, Ecological Restoration Engineer who joined DER in June.
Carley Przystac, Ecological Restoration Engineer
Ms. Przystac provides engineering technical assistance to DER staff and partners for projects including culvert replacement, dam removal, tidal and freshwater wetland restoration, and other areas of mutual interest. Carley is a graduate from Mount Holyoke College and UMass Amherst. She earned a B.A. in Ecosystem Science and a B.S. in Civil Engineering, respectively. She is also currently working toward an M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Science from John Hopkins University.
Over the last three years, Carley has served as a water resource specialist at VHB. She is skilled in hydrologic & hydraulic modeling, relevant areas of civil engineering design, and is experienced with communicating results to technical professionals and the general public. Prior to her time at VHB, Ms. Przystac interned with CDM Smith and MassDOT. In her spare time, Carley volunteers with Save the Bay and University of Rhode Island's Watershed Watch to educate the public about climate change and aquatic habitats.
