Amy Holtshouse
Director of Connecting Lands and Waters, Midwest Division
Cleveland, Ohio
Amy Holtshouse Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. © TNC
Area of Expertise
Lake Erie, Water Quality, Stream & Wetland Restoration, Ag. Nutrient Management, Water Policy
Biography
Amy Holtshouse drives conservation vision and sets priorities for the central portion of the Midwest Division (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin) from grasslands to forests, including protection and restoration of landscapes and freshwater. For the past 5 years, she directed The Nature Conservancy’s conservation strategies programs across Ohio. Ohio conservation activities range from improving agricultural and forestry practices to protecting and restoring Ohio streams and lakes.
Amy continues to support a diverse conservation team in defining conservation priorities and implementing projects from carbon sequestration to freshwater restoration. The Nature Conservancy collaborates with foresters, farmers, ag industry partners, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations, various conservation partners and private corporations to identify and implement policies and strategies to protect and restore unique habitats and water resources while adapting to a changing climate.
Current TNC strategies focus on protecting climate resilient landscapes and freshwater; working with the restoration of freshwater to reduce nutrient and stormwater runoff; restoring wetlands, floodplains, woodlands and riparian corridors to promote climate resilience and biodiversity; improving forest management practices; and protecting and restoring Midwest grasslands and savannas.
Prior to The Nature Conservancy, Amy was the Director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and provided technical assistance to local governments on flood control, erosion control, water quality protection zoning code updates, storm water management, and developing and overseeing multiple dam removal, stream restoration and stormwater retrofit projects.
Amy received a B.A. in zoology and environmental studies from Ohio Wesleyan University and a M.S. in environmental science from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.