Michael Simpson, MS, MALS

Antioch University New England

I believe that an effective resource manager needs to combine theory, skills and reflection to achieve any sustainable solution for the environmental problems that they must face.

A necessary component of my teaching is to show by example. To be an effective teacher, I must be an effective practitioner. I then can use my ongoing working experience to temper and ground the theory.

Such a dose of reality in my courses spans the spectrum from identifying and framing an environmental problem to developing a viable solution. Not only does such a solution need to be technically feasible, but it also must be environmentally sound, economically wise, and politically acceptable.

Educational History

MS, Antioch University New England
MA, Liberal Studies: Science Emphasis. Dartmouth College
BA, Biology and Philosophy. Denison University

I am licensed Wetlands Scientist,and successfully completed the USACOE Wetlands Delineator Training. I am also a Level IV Solid Waste Facility Operator and certified in both HazWoper 40-hour and ASTM Phase I Site Assessments.

I have worked for the private and public sectors, and for non-government and not-for-profit environmental organizations. I have hands-on experience as a researcher, regulator, project manager and administrator.

Selected Research

My research in the water resources domain has spanned assessing impacts to wetlands from the extraction of large volumes of bedrock-well groundwater to documenting the impact to riparian corridors and related infrastructure from the projected changes in climate in the context of a changing landscape.

In the materials and energy sustainability domain, my research has ranged from testing the biological breakdown of multiple feedstocks going to municipal and agricultural compost operations to modelling the release of greenhouse gases associated with alternative waste management strategies.

Finally, for the developing countries in the South, I have tested innovative approaches to incorporate materials management strategies in order to maximize the labor-rich resources and to create robust micro-enterprises that address complex resource extraction and pollution impacts associated with urban environments.

Current Awarded Grants

NOAA, Washington, D.C., Assessing the Risk of 100-year Floods in the Lamprey River Watershed Resulting from Changes in Climate and Land Use, with UNH Earth, Oceans and Space Institute Center, Durham, NH, $281,500
NOAA, Washington, D.C., Design and Implementation of a Stakeholder-Engaged Decision-Support Program for Adapting Civil Water Infrastructures for Climate and Land-Use Change, $224,000
NOAA, Washington D.C., Long term Climate Information and Forecasts Supporting Stakeholder-Driven Adaptation decisions for Urban Water Resources, $ 406,292

Climate Change Research

Michael Simpson interviewed on public radio about climate change adaptation: read and listen.

Radio Interview: Keene, NH’s Climate Preparedness

Selected Publications

Impacts of a Changing Climate on Wetland Ecosystems – Center for Climate Preparedness & Community Resilience national webinar – April 27, 2020

Vulnerability of High-elevation Waters to a Changing Climate – NH Water and Watershed Conference – Plymouth NH – March 13, 2020

The Lifecycle Assessment and Embedded Materials and Energy in a Circular Economy – Circular and Low Carbon Initiative, International Solid Waste Association, Rotterdam, NL, January 29, 2020

The Perfect Storm: The Collapse of the US Recycling Industry – International Solid Waste Association meeting, Rotterdam, NL, November 28, 2019

Response to The Threat of Extreme Heat – Security and Sustainability Forum & Union of Concerned Scientists national webinar – September 9, 2019

Glass/Trash /Recycling in Crisis: The China National Sword – NH Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH, May 2, 2019

Best Management Practices for Static Aerated-Pile Composting of Food Waste. The 38th Northeast Resource Recovery Association Conference, Manchester, NH, May 21 & 22, 2018

Where to Put the Water: Assessing the Vulnerability of Urban Stormwater Systems to a Changing Climate, National Webinar, Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience, September 20, 2017

Innovative Strategies for Organizing, Implementing and Funding Climate Adaptation, National Adaptation Forum, St Paul MN, May 9-11, 2017

The Urban Tree: An Elegant Response to Climate Challenges, Climate March and Rally, Keene NH, April 29, 2017

A Review of Climate Trends That Impact Forested Watersheds, USDA -Adapting Forest Watersheds to Climate Change Workshop, Keene, NH, April 4-5, 2017

A Changing Climate: Some Implications for Riparian Corridors, NH Water and Watershed Conference, Plymouth NH, March 24, 2017

Building Local Capacity to respond to the Impacts of Climate Change, 17th National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy, and the Environmental: Integrating Environment and Health, Washington DC, January 24-26, 2017

Cooperative Marketing: A Business Model for the Right Reasons, Keynote Speaker, Summit for Recycling, Grand Junction CO, June 14, 2016.

Learning from Past Mistakes: Composting for the Future, The 36th Northeast Resource Recovery Association Conference, Manchester, NH, June 8 & 9, 2016

Adapting to a Changing Landscape in the Context of a Changing Climate, Association for Environmental Studies and Science Annual Meeting, Washington DC, June 8-11, 2016

A Changing Climate: Some Implications for Wetlands Restoration, Keynote Speaker, Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Plymouth MA, April 16, 2016

Innovations in Urban Adaptation, National Adaptation Forum, St Louis MO, May 12-14, 2015

Foundation Principals of Adaptation Planning, Local Solutions: The Northeast Climate Preparedness Conference, Manchester NH, May 19-21, 2014

Selected Presentations

Select Presentations