The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy has hired, from left, Elizabeth Metzger, Julie Fogden, Rachel Renders, and Daniel Sinopoli to work on conservation and invasive species issues this summer. (Photo provided -- TNC/John DiGiacomo)

KEENE VALLEY — The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy has hired four seasonal employees to work on invasive species, freshwater streams and general conservation within the Blue Line this summer.

Two employees will be working on stream barrier assessment, while one will be involved with invasive species and the fourth took on the role of Conservation Associate.

“The Conservancy’s career-building Adirondack Conservation Associate program gives motivated young professionals a start in conservation through on-the-job experience,” a press release from TNC said. “In addition to tackling a specific lead project, the associate will work across departments to gain interdisciplinary experience from professional staff in conservation science, fundraising, environmental stewardship, and communications.”

The 2019 Conservation Associate is Rachel Renders, who graduated from SUNY Geneseo this year with a bachelor’s degree in communication and double minors in environmental studies and geology.

Daniel Sinopoli and Elizabeth Metzger join the chapter for the summer season as stream barrier technicians. Metzger holds a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College in environmental science and brings experience surveying brown trout and invasive macrophytes in Pennsylvania watersheds.

Sinopoli has a a bachelor’s degree in aquatics and fisheries science from SUNY-ESF. His honor’s thesis research focuses on the biogeography and taxonomy of the Bowfin (Amia calva) in the Mississippi Basin.

Metzger and Sinopoli “will spend each day on our local streams and rivers recording much-needed data on the fish-passage barriers in various watersheds feeding directly into Lake Champlain. According to existing data, nearly three-quarters of all culverts in this area are not large enough to withstand flooding or provide passage for fish,” the release said.

“Julie Fogden is APIPP’s (Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program) 2019 invasive species management steward and is a graduate of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation,” the release said. “She brings a strong background in invasive species work, most recently working as a field technician for Trillium Invasive Species Management Inc. conducting invasive plant surveys and managing infestations throughout the Hudson Valley. Throughout her 12-week position, Julie will focus on conducting invasive species surveys and management at DEC campgrounds, trailheads and the chapter’s six public nature preserves.”

All four of TNC’s new hires will be based out of the TNC offices in Keene Valley.