Publications by Alexandra Fries

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Elizabeth's Landing Living Shoreline

A Community Project

Roshni Nair-Gonzalez, Alexandra Fries ·
5 June 2025

Elizabeth's Landing's living shoreline was installed and funded by the community, who came together to assess the need for this living shoreline, raised funds, and planted the area with native marshes. This sign was installed on the shoreline to inform the community about the various benefits of a living shoreline, ensuring the area remains a valuable asset for generations to come.

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SECOORA Modeling and Reporting Workshop (Page 1)

SECOORA Modeling and Reporting Workshop

Heath Kelsey, Alexandra Fries, Sidney Anderson ·
4 June 2025

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (SECOORA) hosted a workshop in Wilmington, NC to discuss several prediction and reporting tools in use in the Southeastern United States. Researchers, developers, and experts came together to identify gaps in reporting, ways to improve current tools, and possible future tools, reporting methods, and research objectives.

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2024 Severn River Report Card (Page 1)

2023 Severn River Report Card

Alexandra Fries, Annie Carew ·
18 November 2024

Published in 2024, the 2023 Severn River Report Card summarizes data collected in the summer of 2023. Overall health of the Severn River rose to a 77% (C+), compared ot a 72% (C-) in 2022. This change is driven by the recovery of Severn River seagrasses. The report card also discusses the progress of oyster restoration in the Severn River. Higher-than-average salinity in 2023 likely contributed to the presence of baby oysters that were found growing outside of restoration areas.

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2023 Maryland Coastal Bays Report Card (Page 1)

2023 Maryland Coastal Bays Report Card

Alexandra Fries, Annie Carew ·
24 October 2024

The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2022 Coastal Bays health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four water quality indicators (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals.

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Methodology of socio-environmental report cards for the Clinton, Detroit, Huron, River Raisin, and Rouge Rivers (Page 1)

Methodology of socio-environmental report cards for the Clinton, Detroit, Huron, River Raisin, and Rouge Rivers

Methods report on data sources, calculations, and additional discussion

Alexandra Fries, Conor Keitzer, Annie Carew, Joe Edgerton, Ann Foo ·
13 September 2024

This document describes the methods and development process for the Southeast Michigan Report Card, and the five associated watershed report cards: the Clinton River Report Card, Detroit River Report Card, Huron River Report Card, River Raisin Report Card, and Rouge River Report Card.

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Luangwa Basin Health Report Card Workshop Newsletter (Page 1)

Luangwa Basin Health Report Card Workshop Newsletter

Lili Badri, Alexandra Fries, Heath Kelsey ·
21 August 2024

For the development of the Luangwa River Basin Report Card, IAN and WWF Zambia conducted two stakeholder workshops, with one held in Katete, Zambia from May 6-8 and the other held in Mpika, Zambia from May 13-15. This newsletter summarizes the activities and main findings of the workshops and serves as the foundation for the socio-environmental analysis of the Luangwa River Basin.

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Patapsco River 2023 Report Card (Page 1)

Patapsco River 2023 Report Card

Amanda DeLeo ·
14 August 2024

This report card, produced with Patapsco Heritage Greenway as part of the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, assesses the condition of the Patapsco River using volunteer monitoring data for the second year in a row.

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Boleta de calificaciones de la cuenca del Rio Clinton (Page 1)

Boleta de calificaciones de la cuenca del Rio Clinton

Heath Kelsey, Alexandra Fries, Conor Keitzer, Annie Carew, Ann Foo, Nathan Miller, Joe Edgerton, Anikka Fife ·
3 May 2024

Las boletas de calificaciones de cuencas hidrográficas son herramientas poderosas que se utilizan en todo el mundo para describir el estado del ecosistema, aumentar la conciencia pública e informar a los responsables de la toma de decisiones. Esta es la primera iteración de boletas de calificaciones holísticas en el sudeste de Michigan. Estos documentos evalúan el estado de los propios ríos y de las cuencas circundantes.

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