Cecil Rich, Ph.D.

Cecil Rich, Ph.D.

Director of Resilient Waters

Santa Fe, NM

Cecil completed a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from Purdue University and an M.S. in Aquatic Ecology from Montana State University, and for the past 25 years has worked with State and Federal agencies to protect and restore streams and rivers. This included serving as a fish and aquatic ecologist on the Santa Fe National Forest where he worked collaboratively with staff and a range of stakeholders to implement process-based restoration methods aimed at improving the health of streams and riparian areas.

Cecil is passionate about supporting Rio Grande Return and our partners in applying science-based natural methods to conserve New Mexico’s precious water and habitat resources and offset the impacts of a warming climate. Cecil also works to help alleviate regulatory and public policy obstacles to scaling up riverscape restoration. He is a devoted father of his daughters, Sylvia and Ivy, and enjoys helping to nurture in them a love for wild places.