Kristin Uiterwyk joined the Urban Harbors Institute in September 2005. She holds a masters degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, and a bachelors degree in Human Development from Boston College.

Kristin's primary interest is in the role of public education and public participation in the policy decision-making process. In keeping with that interest, her masters thesis focused on the perceived impact of conservation messages to visitors at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

In addition to public education and participation, Kristin is also interested in coastal planning, specifically related to hazard mitigation and conservation.

Since joining the Urban Harbors Institute, Kristin has been involved in many projects including:

The Massachusetts Coastal Hazards Commission
In 2006, Governor Romney established the Massachusetts Coastal Hazards Commission to review the state's current coastal hazard-related polices and programs. The commission consists of fourteen members, a chair, and five working groups - each tasked with examining specific coastal hazards issues. Kristin serves the staff person for the Planning and Regulations Working Group.

Florida Boating Access Facilities Inventory and Economic Study
UHI has been contracted to assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with a comprehensive statewide inventory of recreational boating facilities, to develop economic models to forecast future boater demand, to document the economic impact of recreational boating for the State of Florida, and to prepare a model for site suitability analyses of future recreational boating facilities.

Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Management Plan
Town of Nantucket contracted with UHI to update the Harbor Management Plans for Nantucket and Madaket Harbors. Issues addressed in the plan include public access, natural resources, harbor safety, navigation, and moorings, fisheries, and waterfront land use. UHI staff are collaborating with John Duff (Assistant Professor with EEOS), Sarah Oktay (Managing Director of UMB's Nantucket Field Station), Chris Sweeney (Director of the Division of Marine Operations), Steve Bliven (UHI Senior Associate) and Rich Delaney (Executive Vice President, Horsley & Witten Group).

Coastsweep
UHI has been contracted by the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management to coordinate all efforts related to the state's annual coastal cleanup. Coastsweep runs from September-October, and is part of the International Coastal Clean-up.