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
What’s Happenin’ on The Hooch?
April 15, 2013
The Chattahoochee River was #3 on last year’s list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. Reservoir projects on the Chattahoochee River have largely been on hold over the past year. Water supply issues continue to be a major concern across the Southeast and the rest of the country.
Read more »Ask the Secretary of Interior to Protect the Chetco River
February 12, 2013 | Most Endangered Rivers, Wild and Scenic Rivers
The Wild and Scenic Chetco River is renowned for its world-class salmon and steelhead runs, and crystal clear water. However, it is still vulnerable to mining thanks to the General Mining Law of 1872 – which gives mining precedence over all other uses. Out of concern for the impact that this mining could have on this special place, American Rivers listed the Chetco as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2010.
Read more »Great News for the Green River!
February 4, 2013 | Most Endangered Rivers, Water Supply
Great news! The Colorado Water Conservation Board has decided to stop funding a study investigating a potential 500-mile pipeline from Wyoming’s Flaming Gorge Reservoir to the Colorado Front Range. This pipeline would have withdrawn massive amounts of water from the Green River- a beautiful western gem running through Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Read more »Missouri River Water Wars Continue As Drought Persists
January 30, 2013 | Climate Change, Floods & Floodplains, Most Endangered Rivers
Remember back in good old 2011, when the Missouri River flooded like crazy and everyone wondered if it would ever stop? Boy did it stop in 2012! The flood has been nearly forgotten with the massive drought conditions across the Midwest. In 2012, American Rivers listed the Missouri River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. It truly continues to be endangered.
Read more »Feeling The Heat On Uranium Mining In Virginia
December 21, 2012 | Most Endangered Rivers
Uranium mining is a hot topic right now in Virginia. You might remember that American Rivers listed the Roanoke River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2011 due to a proposed uranium mine. Since that time, the Virginia legislature has been talking about whether or not to lift a 30-year ban on uranium mining in Virginia.
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