Jessie Thomas-Blate
Coordinator, Most Endangered Rivers
Department: Conservation
Area of Focus: Jessie works with our staff and partners to develop our Most Endangered Rivers Program and annual report.
Background: Jessie joined American Rivers in 2010. Prior to that she worked for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as their Habitat Coordinator. There she played a fundamental role in the establishment of the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership. Jessie also did an internship at the Natural Resources Defense Council where she focused on the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.
Education: B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College, and M.S. in Natural Resources from Delaware State University
Favorite River: Rappahannock River
Blog Posts By This Author
DRBC Postpones Vote on Fracking Regulations
November 18, 2011 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers, Wild and Scenic Rivers
Yesterday, American Rivers joined with advocates across the Marcellus Shale region to ask the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) not to vote on regulations that will govern the development of natural gas in the Basin on November 21. Thankfully the public outcry is making an impact! Today the DRBC announced that it has cancelled the meeting on Monday, and has not announced a new date.
Read more »Do you care about the Susquehanna River? Tell the SRBC.
August 8, 2011 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
Actually, I know that many of you do care about the Susquehanna River because you showed us your support when we named it America’s Most Endangered River of 2011. You’ll recall that the Susquehanna earned this unfortunate distinction due to the threat of rapid natural gas development in the watershed. If you don’t live in the watershed, you might be wondering what has been happening in the past few months.
Read more »“A Tale of Two Shale States” Response
August 3, 2011 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers, Fracking
On July 26, the Wall Street Journal issued an editorial entitled “A Tale of Two Shale States.” I disagree with the editors on this issue, and this is why: Fat pockets are useless if you die of thirst.
Read more »Don’t Frack with Jersey
June 30, 2011 | Fracking, Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
Well, it’s official. You better not frack with New Jersey. I already knew this of course, being from the notorious state. But now it’s on the books. Now you probably want to know the whole story, so you are in-the-know as you trek up the NJ Turnpike this summer. Late Wednesday night, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill banning fracking (or hydraulic fracturing) for natural gas.
Read more »Sand Mining for Fracking in Texas
June 16, 2011 | Water Pollution, Fracking, Most Endangered Rivers
The State of Texas is accepting comments on a permit to mine sand in Mountain Creek for fracking. Sand mining has the potential to pollute rivers and air quality.
Read more »