The Nature Conservancy Hires Great Bay Ecologist

Dr. Ray Konisky of Newfields will advance restoration and conservation opportunities in Great Bay and Gulf of Maine.

Newmarket, N.H. — Dec. 20, 2006 — To help advance the many restoration and conservation opportunities in the Great Bay estuary and Gulf of Maine, The Nature Conservancy has hired Raymond A. Konisky, Ph.D., of Newfields, to be the New Hampshire chapter's marine ecologist.

Konisky brings an outstanding background and diverse skills to the Conservancy, according to Mark Zankel, deputy state director for the New Hampshire chapter. Those include solid marine ecology credentials, advanced Geographic Information Systems skills, a strong understanding of the issues facing Great Bay and the Gulf of Maine, and mature relationships with many important partners in the science and management communities.

Konisky has particular expertise in salt marsh ecology, restoration and monitoring, while his business experience will help the New Hampshire chapter explore innovative market-based approaches that offer new opportunities for marine conservation.

Konisky has a B.S. in wildlife ecology from the University of Maine and an M.B.A. in information systems and economics from Boston University. After completing his M.B.A., he worked as a business systems analyst in the technology sector and then founded a health-science software company.

After seven years running his business, Konisky decided to return to his passion and completed a Ph.D. program in environmental and earth sciences at the University of New Hampshire. He has worked with UNH's Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, and for the past four years has served as a staff scientist with the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Konisky has also been consulting on marine resource issues for the Gulf of Maine Council and other clients. He is lead author of a regional study published in December that assesses coastal habitat monitoring and restoration practices in the Gulf of Maine.

"The Nature Conservancy has a proven track record of success for marine conservation in New Hampshire and throughout the Gulf of Maine, and I am so pleased to join this outstanding team of staff, partners, and trustees," Konisky said. "There are some very exciting opportunities for conservation and restoration, especially within Great Bay, and I look forward to advancing these initiatives in the coming months."

"As marine ecologist, Konisky will have the opportunity to lead the New Hampshire chapter's estuarine and marine conservation work," TNC's Mark Zankel said. "We seek to build upon the excellent work accomplished by his predecessor, Jay Odell, who helped launch an oyster restoration and conservationist program, completed the landmark Great Bay Estuary Restoration Compendium, and collaborated with the Conservation Law Foundation on the Seacoast Regional Wastewater Treatment Study."

In the coming year, the Conservancy will complete conservation planning for Great Bay and other Eastern Region marine sites, explore a comprehensive restoration partnership, and continue to engage in regional wastewater treatment dialogue, Zankel said.

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The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 14 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 83 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Since 1961 The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has helped protect more than 265,000 acres of ecologically significant land and currently owns and manages 28 preserves across the state. For more information, visit www.nature.org/newhampshire.