Earth Day Spotlight: Carderock Engineer Advances Navy Environmental Efforts

Earth Day Spotlight: Carderock Engineer Advances Navy Environmental Efforts

By Brittny Odoms, NSWC Carderock Division Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. - Earth Day efforts at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division highlight both environmental stewardship and the people behind it, including Environmental Branch Head Kristin Jordan.

Jordan joined Carderock in late July 2025, bringing more than a decade of Navy environmental experience to the command. She earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 2010 and later completed a master's degree in environmental management from the University of Maryland in 2021.

Prior to arriving at Carderock, Jordan served as an environmental engineer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, from 2010 to 2018. She then worked at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command headquarters from 2018 to 2025, where she focused on policy and strategy supporting the enterprise.

"I was looking to gain a deeper, wider perspective of what we do," Jordan said of her move to headquarters. "It provided a different view from day-to-day compliance to broader environmental policy."

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Jordan said her career began during a challenging job market, but a job fair led to her first role supporting the Navy. Since then, she has worked across multiple locations in New England before relocating to the Washington, D.C., area.

At Carderock, Earth Day initiatives emphasize sustainability and environmental awareness. As part of this year's observance, leadership will plant two native Maryland trees outside Building 40, reinforcing the command's commitment to environmental responsibility.

Jordan said efforts like tree planting not only improve the local environment but also raise awareness across the workforce.

Outside of work, Jordan enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, including traveling, hiking, camping and visiting the beach-activities she said reflect her lifelong connection to the environment.

"We like to take advantage of nice weather and be outside as much as possible," she said.

Jordan especially enjoys visiting National Parks. She has hiked Mount Katahdin in Maine twice, hiked to Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park-where she camps frequently-and travelled last May to see Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona.

Through both professional work and personal passion, Jordan and her colleagues at Carderock continue to support the Navy's mission while promoting environmental stewardship on Earth Day and throughout the year.