Michal Zahorik

Michal Zahorik, NRESS Ph.D. student

Research Topic

Resilient Communities: The Role of Land-Use Planning and Conservation in Flood Risk Management

Michal’s primary research interest is in the area of municipal land use policies and land use management for hazard mitigation and climate resilience. His research aims to investigate existing institutional arrangements for nature-based solutions to flood risk management with a focus on municipal open space protection and land conservation.

Focusing on reducing flood risk through natural processes can bring multiple benefits due to the synergies of ecosystem services. Strategic land conservation can protect floodplain wetlands, riparian buffers, and other areas with important flood-related ecosystem services such as erosion control, water retention, and infiltration.

Selected Presentations and Publications 

  • Zahorik, M., Ashcraft, C.M. (2020, September 12). Nature-based Municipal Flood Resilience and Conservation Priorities in New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed. Presented at the Great Bay Protection Partnership Meeting, Online.
  • Zahorik, M., Ashcraft, C.M. (2020, April 20-21). Flood Risk Management and Land Conservation. Online Poster Presentation at Annual Online Graduate Research Conference, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH.
  • Zahorik, M., Ashcraft, C.M. (2019, April 3). Land Conservation Priorities in New Hampshire’s Municipalities: A non-structural approach to flood risk management. Presented at the American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • English, M., Sims, A., Tardiff, S., Leuchanka, N., Zahorik, M., Ashcraft, C.M. (2019, April 3). New Hampshire Town Voices on Dam and Flood Management. Presented at the American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • Zahorik, M. (2019, April 2). Flood Risk Management and Land Conservation. Presented at the Annual Graduate Research Conference, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH.
  • Zahorik, M., Ashcraft, C.M. (2018, September 24). Conservation Priorities for Protecting Rivers, Streams, and Floodplains in New Hampshire. Invited oral presentation at the Protecting Drinking Water Supply Lands Workshop, organized by NH Department of Environmental Services, in Rochester, NH

 

Awards and Grants

  • Glenn Coppelman Graduate Scholarship. Awarded by UNH Natural Resources and Environment Department, 2022.
  • Summer TA Fellowship. Awarded by UNH Graduate School, 2021.
  • State Water Resources Research Institute Program Grant. Land Conservation for Flood Risk Management: Ecosystem-based Approaches in NH’s Coastal Watershed. Awarded by NH Water Resource Research Center, Investigator, 2021.
  • Summer TA Fellowship. Awarded by UNH Graduate School, 2020.
  • Local Government Management Fellowship. Awarded by Municipal Management Association of New Hampshire, 2015. 
  • GIS Internship Stipend, Maine DOT. Awarded by Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, 2015.

Education

  • B.S., M.S., Public Administration and Regional Development, VŠE University, Prague, Czech Rep., 2005
  • Master's Degree in Policy, Planning, and Management, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, 2016

Professional Positions

  • Greater Portland Council of Governments, Maine Clean Communities, 2016 - 2017
  • Department of Planning and Community Development, City of Dover, NH, Summer 2015
  • New England Environmental Finance Center, 2014 - 2016 
  • Urban Planning Mentorship Program, New Hampshire Planners Association, 2013 - 2014
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