Andrea Drayer, M.S., PWS

Professional Employment

2023 - Current: Kentucky River Basin Coordinator - Kentucky Water Research Institute

2022 - 2023: Ecologist II, Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC

2021 - 2022: Senior Extension Associate, University of Kentucky

2013 - 2021: Research Analyst, University of Kentucky

2012: Fish and Wildlife Technician, KY State Nature Preserves

2011 - 2012: Environmental Education Assistant, Eastern Kentucky University

2010 - 2011: AmeriCorps Earth Force Service-Learning Coordinator/Environmental Educator

Professional Certifications

Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

Wetland Delineation Certification

Wetland Restoration Certification

Research Interest and Expertise

Andrea is the Kentucky River Basin Coordinator with Kentucky Water Research Institute (KWRI), through a grant agreement with the Kentucky River Authority. As a partner in the Kentucky Watershed Management Framework Initiative and as the lead agency in the Kentucky River Basin, the Kentucky River Authority has accepted the responsibility to help coordinate watershed management activities within the basin. Since 1999, these responsibilities have been met through a subcontract with the Kentucky Water Research Institute at the University of Kentucky. The ultimate objective of this process is to improve and protect the water quantity/quality resources of the basin through the development and implementation of site-specific management plans tailored to local stakeholder interests, resources and needs.

In her current role as Kentucky River Basin Coordinator, Andrea is responsible for the coordination of several watershed projects within the Kentucky River Basin, including:

• Data management and analysis for the Kentucky River Watershed Watch program

• Assisting watershed organizations in developing plans, grant writing, etc.

• Coordination of the Kentucky River Authority's Watershed Grant Program

• Acting as a liaison to the Kentucky Division of Water in the implementation of watershed activities within the Kentucky River Basin

Andrea’s previous professional experience involved monitoring and assessing the success of various wetland creation and restoration, stream restoration, and mine land reforestation projects. Her interests lie in creating and improving ecologically functioning habitat for all species, including humans! She considers herself an aquatic ecologist and has worked with a wide variety of taxa including amphibians, reptiles, freshwater mussels, macroinvertebrates, plants, birds, and mammals.

In addition, since 2008, Andrea has led various environmental education programs and workshops.  She has experience leading Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Earth Force Service Learning, K-12 amphibian and reptile outreach, STEAM Science Nights, Family Nature Day, and various other outdoor education programs.

Workshops

Herpetology - Clay Hill Memorial Forest (6-12 grade) - 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Herpetology - Educating the Public – SEPARC Conference - 2013, 2014, 2017

Herpetology - Floracliff State Nature Preserve - 2013, 2017

Earth Force K-12 Teacher Education - Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory – 2012

Selected Publications

Lambert, M., A.N. Drayer, W. Leuenberger, S.J. Price, and C. Barton. 2021. Evaluation of created wetlands as amphibian habitat on a reforested surface mine. Ecological Engineering. DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106386

Drayer, A.N., J.C. Guzy, R. Caro and S.J. Price. 2020. Created wetlands managed for hydroperiod provide habitat for amphibians in western Kentucky, USA. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 28:543-558.

DOI: 10.1007/s11273-020-09730-3

Lambert, M., A.N. Drayer, W. Leuenberger, S.J. Price, and C. Barton. 2021. Evaluation of created wetlands as amphibian habitat on a reforested surface mine. Ecological Engineering. DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106386

Drayer, A.N., J.C. Guzy, R. Caro and S.J. Price. 2020. Created wetlands managed for hydroperiod provide habitat for amphibians in western Kentucky, USA. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 28:543-558. DOI: 10.1007/s11273-020-09730-3

Drayer, A.N., J.C. Guzy, and S.J. Price. 2020. Factors influencing the occupancy and abundance of Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander) in Kentucky streams. Journal of Herpetology. 54: 299–305.

Price, S.J., S.B. Freytag, S.J. Bonner, B. Muncy, A.N. Drayer, J.M. Hutton and C.D. Barton. 2018. Mountaintop removal mining alters stream salamander population dynamics. Diversity and Distributions. 24:1242-1251. 

DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12760

Drayer, A.N., K.L. Sena, C.D. Barton, D.M. Andrews. 2017. Long-term response of stream and riparian restoration at Wilson Creek, Kentucky USA. Ecological Restoration 35:246-254.

Drayer, A.N. and S.C. Richter. 2016. Physical wetland characteristics influence amphibian community composition differently in constructed wetlands and natural wetlands. Ecological Engineering 93:166-174.

Price, S.J., B.L. Muncy, S.J. Bonner, A.N. Drayer and C.D. Barton. 2016. Effects of mountaintop removal mining and valley filling on the occupancy and abundance of stream salamanders. Journal of Applied Ecology 53:459-468.