USACE Galveston District Spotlight on Kristine Brown

Published April 1, 2014

GALVESTON, Texas (April 1, 2014) – Kristine Brown, natural resources specialist and park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District began her federal career as a staff archaeologist in 1991. Today, she works at the Houston Project Office (Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs and Wallisville Lake Project) to serve the Greater Houston public, communicating federal laws regarding the preservation and protection of natural resources in the management, operations and maintenance of government water resource properties.  

In addition to her role as a park ranger, Brown remains instrumental in the development and execution of the district’s Water Safety Program to educate those who use Corps facilities and enhance the commitment of community leaders to promote public safety and reduce water-related fatalities.

“Kris’s extensive knowledge of the Corps Water Safety Program enabled her to effectively serve as a trusted subject matter expert and key USACE spokesperson to communicate critical information about the district’s Water Safety Program and contributed to a zero increase in water related fatalities in the district,” said Richard Long, Supervisory Natural Resources Manager.

Brown dedicated more than 500 hours educating Texas visitors and residents about drowning prevention and water-related fatalities. She assisted in implementing creative initiatives using existing resources, social media and the power of partnering to reach a potential audience of more than 1,000,000.

“Our mission is to prevent drowning,” said Brown. “We are dedicated to advancing, promoting and providing water safety interpretation, outreach and education as well as working with partners’ water safety initiatives to increase water safety awareness.”

Throughout 2013, Brown worked with Safe Kids Greater Houston to form new partnerships with Spanish-language media outlet Telemundo Houston, Schlitterbahn and Bass Pro Shops. She co-authored a bill to have the 83rd Texas Legislature recognize April as Water Safety Awareness Month in Texas and coordinated more than 30 outreach events across the district to encourage water safety and teach children how to properly wear lifejackets.

The USACE Galveston District’s Water Safety Program was recognized at a USACE Best Management Practices Session, held in conjunction with the annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit and received several regional, national and international awards.

“Our water safety program brought awareness of this growing problem that unnecessarily claims the lives of thousands annually and now serves as a model for other offices to emulate,” said Brown. “It’s about saving lives and I’m happy to be a part of this program.”

A native of Michigan City, Ind., Brown earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Anthropology from the University of Houston. When not at work she enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and family time.

Learn about the district’s Water Safety Program at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/CorpsintheClassroom/WaterSafetyProgram.aspx or for the Houston Project Office’s mission visit http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx.  For news and information, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.


Release no. 14-012