Advocate Bios
Diane M. Cameron — Conservation/Advocacy Program Director
With a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering in 1987 from the University of Maryland, Diane has focused on Clean Water Act implementation, regulation, and public education. Diane served on the Water Program staff of the Natural Resources Defense Council from 1989 to 1998, specializing in stormwater and watershed issues.
In the mid 1990s, Diane co-led the Environmental Community’s caucus in the Stormwater Phase II Advisory Committee negotiations that led to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) rule for smaller municipalities. Diane also was a lead drafter of two watershed bills that strengthened the federal Clean Water Act.
When the Montgomery County (MD) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit came up for its renewal for a third permit term in 2006, citizens in almost two dozen civic and environmental groups saw an opportunity to advocate for more clean, safe streams and drinking water supplies. Diane coordinated the resulting Stormwater Partners Coalition, now the Montgomery County Stormwater Partners Network, with support from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Cathy Wiss — Coordinator of MD/DC Water Quality Monitoring Program
Cathy Wiss has served as the Maryland-DC Water Quality Monitoring Program Coordinator since March of 2008. She has participated in the ANS Water Quality Monitoring Program since 1996 and has been the Team Leader for a site in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve since 1998. Cathy is a leader in her District of Columbia community. Using her knowledge of water quality, she has worked to preserve streams, trees, and a wetland in her neighborhood and to encourage developers to incorporate Low Impact Development techniques into their projects. She also is on the environment committee of her church. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, and has taken courses in stream protection and restoration, rain gardens, and wetlands ecology.
Monica Billger — Virginia Conservation Advocate
Monica Billger serves as the Virginia Conservation Advocate with Audubon Naturalist Society. An avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, she has a passion for the environment and strongly believes in the connection between healthy streams and healthy people.
A 15 year political advocacy veteran, Monica has engaged communities and mobilized local, state and federal advocacy efforts on behalf of groups and organizations. She has worked with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the group’s Alabama and Indiana State Chapters, the Parkinson’s Action Network and the National Kidney Foundation. Monica has also worked on numerous quality initiatives focused on improving health care outreach and communication strategies for federal and state agencies.
Monica also brings 10 years of clinical practice experience as a registered nurse. A native of Michigan, she has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University. Monica resides in northern Virginia with her family.