Who we are
Our interdisciplinary team has expertise in environmental science, water and energy policy, geographic information systems, natural stream restoration, aquatic ecology, geology, field monitoring, remediation, food systems, sustainable agriculture, economic analysis, and planning.
Evan Hansen
Principal
Mr. Hansen founded Downstream Strategies in 1997. For a wide range of science, policy, planning, and economic development projects, he manages interdisciplinary research teams, performs quantitative and qualitative analyses, provides litigation support, and communicates results with policymakers, local leaders, private companies, and nonprofit organizations.
Marc Glass
Principal
Mr. Glass has over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting and management. He is skilled in the evaluation and remediation of environmental contamination. Mr. Glass’ experience includes environmental due diligence (Phase I/Phase II Environmental Site Assessments), petroleum and chlorinated solvent site investigations, design and installation of monitoring well networks, aquifer testing, asbestos and biological remediation and project supervision, preparation of facility Spill Prevention Plans for aboveground and underground storage tank facilities, and mold investigation and remediation.
Kendra Hatcher
Principal
Ms. Hatcher is an environmental scientist with seven years of experience in field sampling, scientific analysis, site assessment, and data management. She has completed a variety of projects, from source water protection planning to housing and business needs assessments. She has wide experience sampling a variety of environmental media, including water and soils. Ms. Hatcher is also an Environmental Professional in accordance with ASTM Standard 1927-13. She has experience designing and assessing water sampling strategies and managing sampling projects. She has also used GIS technologies for over 10 years to analyze and manage spatial data related to natural resources and the environment. She has experience organizing stakeholder meetings and implementing community surveys and assessing the results. Ms. Hatcher is also an experienced leader supervising skilled technical staff and field crews performing a wide variety of field sampling programs and remediation projects.
Meghan Betcher
Project Environmental Scientist
Ms. Betcher is an environmental scientist who focuses on interdisciplinary solutions designed to protect the environment and inform citizens and policy. She offers expertise in a range of scientific subjects, project design, field sampling, geospatial analysis, data analysis and management, and presentation of complex scientific findings to academics, students, and community groups. Her work products are often utilized in litigation, policy recommendations, and citizen education.
Evan Fedorko
Project Geographer
Mr. Fedorko is an experienced multi-disciplinary scientist, researcher, and GIS analyst. Since joining Downstream Strategies, he has specialized in food-systems projects ranging from broadscale, system-wide planning, feasibility, and market assessments to site-specific technical assistance and planning for food hubs and similar entities. Mr. Fedorko continues to work in a variety of other sectors, including rural economic development, solid waste, environmental assessment, and municipal planning.
Heather Jewell
Project Manager
Ms. Jewell focuses on environmental site investigation, natural resource protection, and environmental due diligence. She offers expertise in emerging contaminants, geology, groundwater remediation, environmental sampling, overseeing field teams, managing large data sets, public communication strategies, natural resource permitting, and wetland delineation. Ms. Jewell is also an Environmental Professional in accordance with ASTM Standard E1527-21.
Kasey Osborne
Project Scientist
Ms. Osborne is a multi-disciplinary researcher with broad experience in natural resources and ecology, geospatial information science, sustainable economic development, and outdoor recreation and tourism. She has worked in various capacities with public agencies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and private entities. Ms. Osborne is experienced in grant writing, develops a range of scientific, technical, and public-facing texts, and specializes in the integration of design elements.
Will Postlethwait
Project Scientist
Mr. Postlethwait is a stream restoration specialist at Downstream Strategies with over 17 years of experience. He works with watershed groups, state and federal agencies, and private sector clients to identify restoration sites, raise funds, and implement projects. He is skilled in stream channel, bed, bank, and stability assessment, as well as stream and wetland habitat assessment. Mr. Postlethwait designs stream and wetland restoration projects, develops mitigation plans and permits, and oversees projects through the construction and monitoring phases.
Josh Saville
Senior Scientist
Mr. Saville brings a wealth of field experience and training to support a variety of stream and wetland restoration projects. He has over 10 years of experience in hydrology-related field work, including surveying (GPS, theodolite, level), sediment sampling, riparian and wetland vegetation inventory, stream and groundwater monitoring, chemical/biological monitoring, habitat assessment, and stressor evaluation. He is an experienced equipment operator, having completed several stream and wetland restoration projects in addition to building miles of trails.
Dale Shannon
Senior Economist
Mr. Shannon uses a variety of economic modeling and statistical techniques to provide practical analyses that account for the unique economic and environmental ecosystems of a region. He has extensive experience in the tourism, travel, and recreation sectors, where he has identified opportunities to engage regional workforces and natural resources to create sustainable economies that retain local and state resident spending and capture out-of-state expenditures. Mr. Shannon is skilled in developing economic and demographic data structures to provide regions and states with benchmark analyses to compare regional strengths and weaknesses. He also helps clients measure their contributions to regional and state economies and has worked extensively with many economic impact models, including REMI and IMPLAN.
Brennan Williams
Community and Economic Development Planner
Mr. Williams is a city and regional planner with over six years of professional planning and zoning experience at the municipal level. He is experienced in comprehensive planning, neighborhood planning, zoning code development and implementation, urban design, and stakeholder engagement.
Alexis Yost
Staff Planner
As a landscape design professional, Ms. Yost leverages technical expertise in graphic design software and ArcGIS to create sustainable and functional environments. With knowledge of native plants and wildlife ecology, she aims to develop resilient landscapes that enhance biodiversity while serving Appalachian communities. Her portfolio features projects ranging from small parklets to large-scale urban and regional plans. Ms. Yost also specializes in graphic design as a bridge between technical reporting and community outreach, making science accessible for a range of people.
Affiliate
Canaan Valley Institute assesses, plans, designs, and constructs projects to improve water quality. Our dedicated team works closely with local partners and clients to restore eroding streambanks, enhance habitat in streams, improve wastewater treatment, and engage students in hands-on education. Our projects stimulate local economies and provide clean water for strong rural communities.