Partner Profile

Crater PDC administers the Coastal Zone Management and Watershed Implementation Plan programs for our localities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed–all of which drain into the James River. These programs focus on promoting resilience and water quality in the Bay watershed through local capacity building and project implementation, and we strive to meet our localities where they are and fill gaps in knowledge and funding. CPDC is also kicking off a Regional Resilience Plan for all eleven of our localities (8 of which touch the James River watershed) to identify ways in which we can capitalize on the co-benefits of environmental stewardship, flood mitigation, water quality improvement, outdoor recreation, and more.

I love being situated at the nexus of local and state government, because it means I can facilitate large-scale, regional planning efforts and then translate those plans into local projects hat directly benefit communities and ecosystems alike. I enjoy helping locality staff understand the problems they have, and supporting them through the process of solving them through technical assistance, funding, or both. Helping those communities overcome their struggles and capitalize on what makes them special is incredibly gratifying.

My journey began at Virginia Tech. As I was working towards my Bachelors Degree in Natural Resources Conservation, I realized I have an interest in broader sociopolitical issues. From there, I pursued a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, where I built upon my background in ecology and learned about the intersections of man-made infrastructure and communities and the environment. In 2023, I began as a transportation planner at Crater PDC, but thanks to CFPF funding and a lot of trust from my supervisors, we were able to create a new position specifically to address environmental and resilience-related topics across the region. My position is the first of its kind here at the PDC, and I am very proud of all the work we have accomplished just in the last year.

The connections I have made through the Consortium have been invaluable. It is rare to have so many people from different backgrounds and organizations coming together to discuss how we can all work together to create the changes we need if we are to stand a chance against the climate crisis. I have been able to take those connections and ideas from the Consortium and build them into fully-fledged partnerships. For example, Crater PDC is using some of our funding to build local capacity/knowledge by sponsoring staff members to receive the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification. We wouldn’t have been able to provide this training without our friends at Wetlands Watch, who are also Consortium members!