Andy Lacatell
Virginia Chesapeake Bay Program Director, Virginia
Richmond, VA
Andy Lacatell Virginia Chesapeake Bay Program director for The Nature Conservancy. © Andy Lacatell
Areas of Expertise
Oyster reef restoration, conservation partnerships, natural climate solutions, aquaculture
Biography
Andy joined TNC in 2001, devoting much of his time to land protection initiatives and large-scale oyster restoration projects. Shellfish populations are one of the most degraded natural communities on the planet. Bringing oysters back to the Chesapeake Bay is helping to set a standard that is being followed globally, in Australia and New Zealand, China and Europe.
In addition to large scale projects restoring oyster reefs in Virginia's Piankatank River, Andy has been involved in protecting farms, forests and marshes that have been added to the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge and creating state forests in Dragon Run, all with the goal of protecting and improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
Andy has a Master of Public Health degree from the Medical College of Virginia, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Richmond.
Interview
50 Stories: Interview with Andy Lacatell
In this interview with Alliance for the Bay, Andy Lacatell reflects on the challenges, successes and opportunities of working in the Chesapeake Bay.