STAC Term: 2019 - 2022 Co-Chair, Executive Board
Action Team Assignments: Freshwater Habitats and Fish Passage, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Monitoring and Assessment Team Assignment(s): Aquatic Fauna
STAC Member Since: October 2017, also served July 2009 - August 2012
Title: Director, Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds Program
Department: North Carolina Chapter
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Education: PhD Marine Bioscience, University of Delaware (2008) BS Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2003)
Primary Focus Area: Coastal and estuarine habitat protection, restoration and conservation; ecological impacts of climate change and sea-level rise; ocean use planning; marine fisheries
Secondary Focus Area(s): Estuarine ecology; essential fish habitat
Career Experiences: Dr. Boutin began serving as Director, Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds Program for the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 2016. In this capacity, he oversees all aspects of protection, science, stewardship, restoration and community relations for northeastern North Carolina. He began his career with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries where he co-authored the 2010 update of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan which recommended strategies to maintain and improve coastal fisheries habitat across the state. In 2009, he joined The Nature Conservancy’s North Carolina Chapter to lead a large-scale, multimillion dollar, multiagency effort to restore oyster reefs and wetlands on protected lands in the Albemarle-Pamlico region. Beginning in 2012, he led research to identify the impacts of managed freshwater flows on key physical, chemical, and biological indicators in South Florida estuaries with the South Florida Water Management District. Prior to his current position, Dr. Boutin worked as Director of Conservation Programs for the Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy where he provided leadership and oversight of land, water, oceans, and climate initiatives.