About Mark's Work

Mark Tompkins earned his Ph.D. in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley, where he investigated the role of floodplains in river restoration efforts. Floodplains provide important aquatic and terrestrial habitat as well as significant hydrologic, water quality, and aesthetic benefits, and have been recognized as critical elements of healthy river ecosystems. Mark currently works on projects that re-envision and restore rivers and their floodplains across the United States, drawing on his interdisciplinary background in civil engineering, fluvial geomorphology, and environmental planning to improve management and stewardship of rivers, especially those draining urban watersheds. Mark also writes and takes photographs for a wide variety of outdoor and conservation magazines.