Jenny Hoffner
Senior Director, Water Supply
Department: Conservation
Area of Focus: Jenny works to engage communities to secure sustainable water supplies through water efficiency.
Background: Jenny joined American Rivers in 2007. Prior to that she worked as an independent consultant in Atlanta providing community, land and organizational development support to groups, government and citizens. Jenny served as Director of Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the City Parks Foundation. Under Jenny's stewardship the program worked with more than 4000 groups and 65,000 park supporters to start, strengthen and support community involvement in the 28,000 acres of New York City parks.
Jenny joined Partnerships for Parks in 1997 to organize an effort to transform the Bronx River from a neglected dumping ground to a healthy urban waterway. Over a period of four years, she gradually built community support for the River through a strategy of intensive outreach, public events/education, and community transformation. Ultimately, she helped build the Bronx River Alliance, a coalition of more than 65 government agencies, community organizations, schools and businesses, and attracted nearly $115 million in public and private funding to the river.
Before Partnerships, Jenny worked with citizens, businesses and government agencies in Atlanta to transform vacant lots, abandoned industrial sites and areas along the Chattahoochee River into public green spaces, community gardens and greenways.
Education: B.A. in Anthropology and Human & Natural Ecology from Emory University, and M.L.A. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia
Favorite River: Bronx River and Chattahoochee River
Blog Posts By This Author
Water Water Is Not Everywhere
April 2, 2013 | Most Endangered Rivers, Water Supply
From where I sit in Georgia, it’s spring. The rains are here, flowers are in bloom (as they have been since January), rivers are running high(er), and drought, at least for now, is far from the headlines. Yet, I know what is lurking just around the corner. Drought and water issues will be making news again this summer in communities across the Southeast, like a recurring bad dream.
Read more »City of Atlanta moving ahead with Green Infrastructure
March 1, 2013 | Climate Change, Water Supply, Urban Rivers
Atlanta is known for being a city of trees and lush green landscapes. At the same time, it is also known for being a congested sprawling metropolis with plenty of pavement and related stormwater problems and water supply issues.
Read more »Extreme Drought And Its Challenges To The US's Clean Water Supply
August 3, 2012 | Water Pollution, Climate Change, Water Supply
This summer we have seen and felt the impacts of one of the worst droughts in the last 50 years. As of late June, over 55% of the country was experiencing moderate to extreme drought. The map to the right illustrates the drought’s far-reaching impacts; and while the most extreme effects are being felt in middle of the country, regions typically associated with “wet weather” like the Great Lakes, Southeast and Northeast regions are also feeling the heat.
Read more »Two Cheers For The Hooch!
May 22, 2012 | Blue Trails, Dams & Dam Removal, Most Endangered Rivers
Continuing our spotlight on America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2012, today is Chattahoochee River Day! In celebration, I wanted to share a story about my recent trip down the Chattahoochee, affectionately known by its admirers as “The Hooch.”
Read more »Averting Water Wars in the Carolinas
December 16, 2011 | Dams & Dam Removal, Water Supply
Like many communities across the Southeast, Lancaster County, South Carolina is proposing a new reservoir as a way to attract and support new development. The new bi-state Catawba-Wateree River Basin Commission asked to hear from American Rivers at its December meeting about water efficiency and conservation alternatives to reservoirs. We were glad for the audience, and we’ve got plenty to share.
Read more »