Strengthening the resilience of Washington’s coastal communities through collaboration, education, and knowledge exchange

Lauren is a Habitat Biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, covering Pacific County and Willapa Bay basin. With 8 years working as a regulator, planner, and technical assistant, Lauren has expertise in working towards resilient projects that address the immediate needs of communities while balancing the need for no-net loss to ecological functions. Lauren has worked with the North Cove community to provide regulatory support for pilot actions that allows the exploration of natural process-based shoreline armoring and has pursued grant funding to do scientific monitoring and evaluation of the effects of these new methods have on the fish and wildlife in the area.

Lauren has a background in environmental sciences and politics (Juniata College), along with fisheries science experience from a few internships and her previous work with WDFW. She grew up on the east coast, spending many of her summer days enjoying the beaches of New Jersey and Delaware, and recreating along the Chesapeake Bay. Her love for the beaches and bay lead to her interest in coastal processes and resilience. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with friends, fishing with her husband, and baking.