Partner Profile
Taryn Ware, James River Association
Photo provided by Taryn
Favorite riparian plant: Swamp Mallow Hibiscus (for the flower, Black Tupelo for everything else!)
How does your work support healthy streamside ecosystems in the James River watershed?
I support healthy streamside ecosystems primarily through working with landowners to establish and maintain native buffer plantings on their land. But I also provide support for other projects, including wetlands restoration in Cumberland County and invasive species control on Chapel Island. Most importantly, every opportunity I have to speak with a resident within the watershed and share about the value of streamside buffers helps support ecosystems across the James River watershed.
What do you love most about your work?
I love the way I get to engage with other people who are also passionate about conservation, whether it be with professionals or landowners. Its energizing to be excited about making a difference with other people. But I also love coming back to a project years later and seeing the positive impact it has made and the way things have grown up–it is very gratifying!
What was your journey/career path that led you to the work you do now?
I first considered going into land conservation after spending a few years working on several farms and ranches in my area. I saw the difference in pasture management practices and experimented with my own horse pastures–I so enjoyed seeing the land respond to proper management I wanted to do more. I received a degree in Environmental Resources Management and tried a lot of different types of conservation work and was able to manage several thousand acres for a land conservancy. Now I am happy to do what I love most–working with landowners and farmers on incorporating conservation into their daily lives!
What do you value most about the Consortium? How has it positively impacted your work?
There is so much expertise across the industry and always more to learn. I’ve enjoyed learning from other members of the consortium about the work they do and the way all our efforts overlap.
About Taryn Ware
Organization: James River Association
Title: Restoration Field Manager