Barbara Charry
Director of Rivers and Lands, Massachusetts
Barbara Charry Director of Rivers and Lands for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. © Barbara Charry
Areas of Expertise
Conservation biology, landscape ecology, climate adaptation, habitat connectivity
Biography
Barbara Charry is the Director of Rivers and Lands for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. She is an experienced conservation leader with expertise in aquatic and terrestrial habitat connectivity and the impacts of roads and development on wildlife and habitat. Barbara's work focuses on the intersection of freshwater and lands, identifying synergies and pragmatic solutions for issues impacting wildlife and people, based on science and collaborative partnerships.
Barbara began working for TNC in 2016, leading TNC Missouri’s floodplains and nature-based solutions team. Her efforts have significantly benefited nature and helped communities adapt to and increase resilience against flooding due to climate change. After the catastrophic 2019 Missouri River floods, Barbara convened a large partnership of agencies who, through radical collaboration, supported and implemented the local community’s vision for a large-scale levee setback project in Atchison County, Missouri. This project has become a national model for nature-based solutions for flood resilience.
Before Barbara moved to Saint Louis, Missouri from Maine to work for TNC, she worked for Maine Audubon as a conservation biologist. There, she initiated and developed the highly successful Stream Smart program, a statewide professional training program to organize and unify the best strategy for road-stream crossings to maintain fish and wildlife habitat while protecting roads and public safety. Barbara also co-founded Maine’s nationally award-winning Beginning with Habitat municipal land use conservation program.
Barbara received her B.A. in English from Grinnell College and her M.S. in Environmental Science from Antioch New England Graduate School. She considers New England her home, having lived or worked in five of the six states, including Massachusetts, with a stint on Cape Cod working for Mass Audubon's Coastal Waterbird program.
As a child, Barbara loved animals and fell in love with wildlife during a junior high birding trip to Plum Island, Massachusetts, organized by a Connecticut nature center’s junior naturalist club. She enjoys being outdoors, walking in nature, casual birdwatching—especially in Florida with her husband, Jerry—and riding horses.
In the Media
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Levee Setback on the Missouri River
Learn how Barbara Charry brought together partners in Missouri to lessen the impact of future flooding. Watch
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Grinnell alumni preserve river ecosystems through restoration efforts
Hear how Barbara Charry and Andrew Stephenson use nature-based solutions to protect river wildlife and address climate change. Learn more
Research
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Forested Riparian Buffers as Climate Adaptation Tools
A case study in the Meramec River Basin on management of riverine flow and thermal regimes. Read
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Roads and Ecological Infrastructure: Concepts for Small Animals
Case study: Maine Audubon endangered species road watch. Read more
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Traffic Volume as a Primary Road Characteristic Impacting Wildlife
A tool for land use and transportation planning. Learn more
Connecting Rivers & Lands
Connecting Lands for Climate Resilience
TNC data shows which landscapes will support plants and animals as the climate changes. We're working to protect them.
How Does the Bobcat Cross the Mass Pike
TNC in Massachusetts is leading an effort to assess and map culverts under Interstate 90 to identify those that can serve as corridors for wildlife to pass under the road.
A Journey to Understand Climate Change
Jason Jacobs, entrepreneur and podcast host, wants everyone to join him on a climate change learning journey. It's not about which climate solution should win, it's about getting more people to care.