Originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Andrew Downs is a 2001 graduate of Appalachian State University, and went on to earn a Master’s in Natural Resource Management from NC State in 2005. Andrew worked early in his conservation career on North Carolina’s Haw River, building access points, supporting communities and expanding the trail network in North Carolina.
Later, Andrew joined the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and worked up the ranks from leading the Trail Crew program in Asheville to serving as Senior Regional Director overseeing both the Virginia and North Carolina regional offices.
With decades of experience in community-driven conservation, Andrew brings a wealth of relationships among the federal and state partners, parks, nonprofits, and the communities that make the New River watershed so special. Says Board Chair, Catherine Cotrupi, PhD “I am thrilled NRC gets to welcome Andrew to our organization as our next Executive Director. He brings such depth as well as breadth in his experiences and expertise that our organization, our watershed, and our river will benefit from. We thank the ATC for the opportunities they provided Andrew that he carries with him, and we are eager to pay that forward in our shared communities and initiatives.”
His extensive experience in land protection, landscape conservation, visitor engagement and organizational development will serve the New River Conservancy well as they continue to grow throughout the three-state watershed.
When asked how he would bring cohesion to the very different areas of the watershed, Downs responded “Connectivity is important to recognize. The New River physically provides a context for so many communities, businesses and visitors to connect and share an identity across three states. A watershed is like a leaf. The vein in a leaf is not just in the center, it connects to every extremity of that one leaf together, as a whole.”
With family near Mouth of Wilson, Andrew has a deep relationship with the New River watershed throughout the three states. An avid paddler, he’s often on the water with his wife of 12 years and their two (not so) little girls on the North Fork of the New River in N.C. and also the Little River near Floyd, VA.
Marketing Director, Lisa Stansell – Galitz says “Andrew Downs was one of our early applicants. His resume included years of experience with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and their diverse partnership. My first thought upon reading his resume was “We’d be in tall cotton if we can get this guy. It is our immense pleasure to introduce you to our new Executive Director, Andrew Downs.”
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.
Staff and new Executive Director gathered recently at the New River Conservancy Annual Meeting in Independence, Virginia. L-R Stella Cybulski, Dave Bassage, Andrew Downs, Cathy Hanks and Lisa Stansell -Galitz.
