Mike Kline has begun consulting on river and floodplain science and policy after three decades with the Watershed Management and Water Quality divisions of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. He managed the Rivers Program and served as the State River Ecologist as well. Mike remains committed to working on river conservation and management programs centered on restoring landscape-scale, fluvial processes to achieve and maintain river and floodplain connectivity.

Mike's scholarly interest lies in the interplay between social and watershed sciences. His work and research strive to find the balance points for resolving conflicts between the societal pillars of private landownership and property protection and the community benefits derived from functioning, dynamic river-floodplain systems. Climate change is honing Mike’s interest in collaborating across disciplines to help spur a new watershed ethic or commons to ensure the resiliency and prosperity of ecosystems and human populations.

Over the years, Mike has worked with hydrologist, biologists, fluvial geomorphologists, and engineers across academia, government agencies, and NGOs to develop and apply stream geomorphic and habitat assessment protocols, fluvial erosion hazard mapping, as well as and river and floodplain management principles and practices. Mike has designed and taught training courses for lay persons, students, and professionals. He travels throughout the U.S. to present Vermont’s uniquely blended river and floodplain programs to address flood hazards, water quality, and aquatic ecosystem degradation.  

Mike is the recipient of the Lake Champlain Legacy Award from the Lake Champlain Committee, an Environmental Excellence Award from the Federal Highways Administration, and the Canute Dalmasse Award for Environmental Excellence from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources