The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Biography

Ashley Hoffman received a BS from the University of Florida (UF) in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.  She went on to work at the University as a fisheries technician for a year before relocating to western Kentucky with her husband.  For the past two years, she has been working part time as the Executive Director for the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education.  She began working with The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resource Conservation Service as part of the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program Team in January of 2012.  

Eco-Tip

My favorite of the three R’s is REUSE.  It’s easy.  Use small cloth grocery bags that fit in your purse so you never have to remember to bring them with you; they are always there.  I have five of them in my bag!  Bring a reusable water bottle.  Shop at consignment stores and garage sales.  Most of the furniture in my house and things I own are second hand.  I like to think of it as giving them a second chance.  Reusing items keeps them out of landfills and keeps you from using more resources.  Not only does it save the environment, it saves your pocketbook! 

Nature.org:  Have you always had an interest in conservation?

Yes, ever since I was a little kid.  I spent all of my free time outdoors playing in the fields and fishing the canals near my home. When I was in fourth grade I started a club called the Cub Club.  We would have lake clean ups or raise money selling crafts to donate to rainforest restoration or animal shelters. As I got older, I pursued conservation as a career choice.  Now I’m doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing and loving every minute of it. How did your career path lead to working with The Nature Conservancy?

Nature.org:  How did your career path lead to working with The Nature Conservancy?

I have been working in the conservation and outreach field for several years now and recently took a position with TNC and NRCS doing wetlands restoration.  I have always enjoyed conservation research but feel the most important aspect of our work is outreach and helping the public to understand the importance of the work we are doing.  The best part of my position with TNC and NRCS is working directly with the public to restore wetlands and relay the importance of this critical habitat.

Nature.org:  What projects have your focus right now?

I currently work on the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Team in western Kentucky.  Our focus is restoring wetlands in the lower Mississippi River Basin by retiring frequently flooded agricultural lands.  To do this, we work with farmers to place easements on previously cropped lands through the Wetland Reserve Program, a federal incentive program.  Our project goal is to restore 5500 acres in the next 4 years. 

Nature.org:  What do you hope to tackle over the next couple of years?

I hope to continue in my current capacity, working on the WREP team to restore wetlands in the Mississippi River Basin.  I am looking forward to seeing these restoration areas progress from croplands into wetlands over the course of time. It’s great to work on a project that involves so many partners and individuals working together.