Ben Emanuel
Associate Director, Water Supply

Department: Conservation

Area of Focus: Ben works to engage communities to secure sustainable water supplies through water efficiency and other low-impact water supply solutions. His work focuses on Georgia's upper Flint River basin, where he works to restore and protect healthy river flows in the Flint River through sustainable water use practices.

Background: Ben joined American Rivers in 2011. Prior to that he worked for the Altamaha Riverkeeper as its Oconee River Project Director, based in Athens, Georgia. Ben's work in the Oconee River basin included advocacy and outreach with local governments and businesses on water conservation and efficiency, watershed protection, smart land use planning and promoting river access and recreation.

In 2010, he helped spearhead a community response to a severe toxic chemical spill in Athens' Trail Creek following a fire at a local chemical plant. During his time with ARK, Ben also worked for the statewide Georgia River Network. Prior to that, he was the news editor at Athens' alternative newsweekly, Flagpole Magazine, and was part of a river study project called the Georgia River Survey.

Education: B.A. in English from the University of Georgia

Favorite River: Oconee River