OUR STAFF
Nick Banish, District Manager
Nick has an MSc degree from the University of Montana in Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology and is broadly interested in the structure and function of rivers and streams (and some lakes). He has worked on river ecosystems across the Intermountain West on projects varying from assessments of streamside avian habitat on Federal Wildlife Refuges and floodplain cottonwood recruitment along the Wild and Scenic designated Lower Missouri River, to examining the role of nutrient pollution and biogeochemical conditions that fuel nuisance algal blooms in the Upper Clark Fork River Ecosystem. He enjoys fishing for trout in Southwest Montana, collecting vintage drums and always looks forward to receiving the MT State Historical Society’s quarterly publication. He can be reached via email at nick.banish@gallatin.mt.gov.
Meggie Olson, Hydrogeologist
Meggie landed in Montana with the GLWQD after earning her Geosciences B.S. from Colorado State University in 2021. In addition to her academic focus on the subjects of Hydrogeology and Watershed Science, she developed an interest in community building through her role as a Recruitment and Engagement Ambassador for the Warner College of Natural Resources. Time spent on the Colorado and Arkansas rivers inspired her to pursue a water-related career. Meggie’s passion to keep our waters clean and drinkable aligns with our mission here at the district. In her time spent outside of work you can find Meggie enjoying the outdoors with a book or a board!
Meggie is a Certified Ground-Water Sampler (CGWS) and you can email her at meggie.olson@gallatin.mt.gov with questions about local groundwater quality and quantity, or for more information about our groundwater monitoring activities.
Drew Shafer, Water Quality Specialist
Drew came to Bozeman shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Geology from Hanover College in 2018. He has worked on long-term projects with The Ohio State University, sampling the health and diversity of fish communities in agricultural waterways and worked with Colorado SNOTEL, preparing sites and collecting valuable snowpack data around the state. When out of the office, he enjoys fishing, rockhounding, and exploring Montana’s backcountry.
OUR BOARD
| Name | Representing |
| Glen Clements | Manhattan Town Council |
| Kayla Meherns | City of Bozeman “At-Large” |
| John Edwards | Gallatin County Board of Health |
| Cyndy Andrus | Bozeman City Commission |
| Jim Lovell | Town of Manhattan “At-Large” |
| Bri Schultz | Gallatin Conservation District |
| Alan English | City of Belgrade “At-Large” |
| Kristine Menicucci | Belgrade City Council |
| Jennifer Boyer | Gallatin County Commission |
Gallatin Local Water Quality District 
You must be logged in to post a comment.