Ira Stern

Ira Stern is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Pratt Institute's School of Architecture, affiliated with the Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment. He specializes in watershed planning, open space preservation, and large-scale regional planning, with extensive experience in government, non-profit, and private sectors. Currently, he serves as Regional Manager for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Water Supply, overseeing critical water supply infrastructure including the Rondout Reservoir and Rondout-West Branch Tunnel.

• Education: B.A. from Hobart College, M.S. and M.S.C.R.P. from Pratt Institute
• Roles: Adjunct Associate Professor, Regional Manager (NYC DEP), former Director of Watershed Lands & Community Planning

His research focuses on environmental planning, urban-rural resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. At DEP, he pioneered programs like the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the 1997 NYC Watershed Memorandum of Agreement, a landmark in water supply protection. Stern emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating geology, forestry, and real estate expertise into watershed management.