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
Making The Right Decision For The Kansas River
May 31, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
Most Endangered. What this means is that the Kansas River is on the brink of a permanent change – a change in state from an already impacted, yet remarkably resilient and still wild river, to a controlled ditch.
Read more »Impact of Mountaintop Mining on Public Health
May 30, 2012 | Blue Trails, Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
As a child, a stream behind my house in Hughes Creek, West Virginia, provided endless hours of entertainment. I turned over rocks to find crawfish. I skipped rocks across it and attempted to catch minnows. I sent bottles downstream with notes in them requesting someone (I imagined in a foreign land) contact me. I waded across the stream in summer and had my own private “pool.”
Read more »An Issue Of Diligence
May 29, 2012 | Water Pollution, Dams & Dam Removal, Most Endangered Rivers
In 1958, the Colorado River District received a decree for water rights for a project known as West Divide. This project was to burden the Crystal River of Colorado with a series of dams and miles of water diversions, pipelines, conduits, and canals.
Read more »Experience The Beautiful Grand River
May 25, 2012 | Water Pollution, Fracking, Most Endangered Rivers, Wild and Scenic Rivers
Walking along the northern end of the Grand River last summer reminded me of some of the best national parks I’ve visited across the country. The bird watching is even more amazing than most areas in the United States. Kingfishers flew about, Lesser Yellow Legs trotted the shore, and even a Bald Eagle soared by the area. This year a vibrant male Scarlett Tanager was spotted!
Read more »Let’s Have A Grand Ole’ Day on the River!
May 25, 2012 | Water Pollution, Fracking, Most Endangered Rivers, Wild and Scenic Rivers
You’ve guessed it river fans! Today is Grand River Day! Our #6 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, the Grand River, is highlighted today due to the impacts of natural gas development on the watershed.
Read more »