After an exhaustive search involving well qualified candidates from 5 different states, New River Conservancy (NRC) is happy to announce Joseph Johnson as our new Director of Operations and Projects. Johnson will pick up the projects of our past Restoration Director, as well as lead some events such as the New River Canoe Race, Saved By a Salamander and Paddle Days. Johnson will start on September 3, 2024.
A 2012 graduate of Missouri State University (MSU), Johnson went on to earn a Master’s in Biology from MSU in 2014. Early in his career, he worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Fish and Wildlife Management and Research throughout Missouri. These experiences gave him a practical understanding of ecology, land management, and an appreciation for wildlife. Later, while working in North Carolina, he met his wife and they moved to her home in Ashe County, North Carolina in 2019.
Since relocating to Southern Appalachia, Joe has worked for New River State Park and an Ashe County based nursery and stream restoration company. He has been the Contract Supervisor for NRC’s “River Builders Program”, a program that restores native riparian vegetation along degraded streams in the New River watershed. Johnson has also presented programs for NRC at their annual Saved by a Salamander event. Andrew Downs, Executive Director for NRC says “The commitment that Joe has shown to the New River in Western North Carolina has been impressive and we are excited to welcome him and benefit from his expertise as we support all communities across the watershed that value the New River.”
His experiences living and working in Ashe County have given him a deep appreciation of the culture, rivers and public lands in the High Country. With almost 15 years of experience in science-based conservation, Joe understands how important the relationship and interactions between the land and humans are for protecting and restoring biological communities. His extensive experience in protecting biodiversity and the integrity of natural landscapes will serve NRC and the New River watershed well. “My experiences I have always been in conservation, even before college, masters in biology focusing on water ecology, dedicated to making the world a better place, even as a little kid, I really focus on that. The fact that we are losing species at an alarming rate really concerns me, I would like to do everything I can to mitigate that.” When not working, Johnson loves camping with his wife and their dog, Kava. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, floating, hunting, birding, discovering new plants, mushrooms, fish and places.
New River Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working every day to protect the woods, waters and wildlife of the iconic New River. Donations are welcome and tax deductible. For more information, please visit their website at newriverconservancy.org, or any of their social media pages.
Cutline: New Director of Operations and Project, Joseph Johnson, enjoys the great outdoors with his dog, Kava. Photo: Brianna Harris
