Katie O’Connor
Conservation Biology Institute
136 SW Washington Ave., Suite 202
Corvallis, OR 97333
Phone: 541-757-0687
www.consbio.org
katie.oconnor@consbio.org
Katie O’Connor is the Freshwater Specialist and a GIS Technician for Conservation
Biology Institute. She focuses on promoting enhanced data collection, collaboration, and
policy decisions for land managers and citizen science groups through the use of Data
Basin, a web-based tool that provides access to data and tools to integrate complex
ecological, political, and economic information. During her first year at CBI, Katie also
acted as Coordinator for the West Willamette Restoration Partnership in Portland,
Oregon, an active coalition of engaged volunteers, community groups, landowners and
organizations focused on invasive plant removal. She facilitated the development of a
Strategic Plan, an Action Plan, project prioritization, an online data collection system,
and a website. Other relevant experience includes qualitative research about motivation
for watershed volunteerism for the City of Corvallis, assisting with sub-watershed
assessments for the City of Portland, and two years as an Environmental Consultant.
EDUCATION
M.S., Water Resources Policy and Management, Oregon State University, 2011. Thesis:
Values and Beliefs that Lead to Watershed Volunteerism: Application of a value-beliefnorm theory of environmentalism to focus group data
B.S., Environmental Science, geological focus, Wheaton College, 2004
RECENT AWARDS
2010 – Laurels Scholarship, Oregon State University
2004 – “Outstanding Environmental Science Major” of the year, Wheaton College
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2012 – Present. Freshwater Specialist/ GIS Technician, Conservation Biology Institute,
Corvallis, OR
2012 – 2013. Coordinator, West Willamette Restoration Partnership, Portland, OR
2012. Assistant Coordinator, Urban Watershed Mentors Training Program, West
Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Portland, OR
2010 – 2011. Intern—Stream Stewards Program Research and Development (EPA
funded), City of Corvallis, Public Works, Corvallis, OR
3/22/2016
Katie O’Connor
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2008 – 2009. Intern—Watershed Assessment Assistant, City of Portland, Bureau of
Environmental Services, Willamette Watershed Team, Portland, OR
2007. Environmental Consultant, Independent Contractor, Portland, OR
2007. Interpretive Guide, Cruise West, Juneau, AK
2005 - 2007. Environmental Consultant, Alpha Environmental Services, Inc.,
Portland, OR
SELECT RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Values and Beliefs that Lead to Watershed Volunteerism-- Implemented research for
EPA grant awarded to the City of Corvallis using Community Based Social Marketing
methodology to create Stream Stewards volunteer program. Duties included completing
a literature review, interviewing fourteen program managers, assisting with four focus
groups, analyzing qualitative data, developing an online database for collecting field data,
choosing field methods, and writing 70 page program manual. Research focused on what
motivates and/or deters people from joining a volunteer stream program. Also used data
for Master’s thesis.
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
Changes to hydrologic ecosystem services following the removal of marmot dam.
Portland State University joint Environmental Conference. 2009.
Comprehensive study of the mechanism for displacement of groundwater contaminants at
Pagel’s Pit and Acme Solvents Superfund sites, Northcentral Illinois. Geological
Society of America, Northcentral Conference. 2003.
3/22/2016
Conservation Biology Institute