Our People

Linda Hansen

Board Member

Linda brings her education, experience, and policy background to the OARS Board of Directors. Growing up along the Mississippi River in Iowa, she earned her Master’s in Chemical Oceanography from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, where her thesis focused on trace metal concentrations in the North Pacific Ocean. Linda’s career spans academia, industry, and government, including roles as a lab manager at Yale University and 15 years as an environmental consultant leading site characterization projects for Superfund sites. After 9–11, she transitioned to conservation administration, serving nine years in Maynard and now in her eighth year in Wayland. Linda is excited to now complete the full circle with a non-profit organization.

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.

Our People

Linda Hansen