Laurel Creech
State Director
Tennessee
Areas Of Expertise
relationship building; communications; project management; strategic visioning
Biography
As The Nature Conservancy's Tennessee State Director, Laurel Creech leads a talented staff focused on long lasting land, water and biodiversity conservation in the Volunteer state. In this role, Laurel cultivates relationships with donors, trustees and partners representing the government, business, academic, philanthropic and non-profit sectors. She also provides leadership for fundraising and advocacy initiatives that support TNC’s local, regional and global priorities.
Prior to assuming this role, Laurel worked for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, where she helped create and serve as the assistant director for Metro Nashville’s Division of Sustainability. While there, she oversaw environmental initiatives related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green infrastructure, waste reduction and education. Under Laurel's leadership, the division received two Governor’s Environmental Stewardship awards and four U.S. Green Building Council Impact Tennessee awards.
Laurel has also participated on the boards of several conservation-minded organizations, including the Nashville Parks Foundation, Cumberland Trails Conference, Tennessee Nature Academy, Urban Green Lab, Walk/Bike Nashville and Tennessee Women in Green, which she co-founded in 2008. On a regional level, Laurel was a member of the Southeast Sustainability Directors’ Network’s (SSDN) Steering Committee and acted as co-host of the SSDN’s Green Minds podcast. She has also been an on-air radio air talent on two Nashville radio stations: WXNA 101.5FM and WMOT 89.5FM.
Nationally, Laurel was recognized as one of the Smart Energy Decisions’ inaugural Women in Smart Energy (WISE) in 2022, received the Women in Sustainability Award for Local Public Sector in 2021, and in 2019 served as a U.S. Delegate on the European Union Sustainability Delegation Tour.
Laurel's love for nature was seeded at a young age growing up in the beautiful mountains of Chattanooga as a long-distance runner, cyclist and triathlete. She took that love to Nashville, where she created and directed an outdoor adventure program for 13 years called Team Green Adventures. Team Green connected thousands of Middle Tennessee residents with the beauty of the outdoors across the state and beyond.
Growing up in a family dedicated to improving the health of others, Laurel applies that same passion and determination toward conserving nature's greatest assets so others can get as much pleasure from the outdoors as she does. From spending time hiking and backpacking to supporting organizations with the same vision, her dedication to enhancing our planet is boundless and contagious.
WHAT KIND OF LEGACY WILL YOU LEAVE?
Winter 2023
It is something that crosses all our minds at one time or another. “What kind of legacy will I leave to the next generation?”
This thinking factors into why I am working at The Nature Conservancy in my native state of Tennessee. What better legacy is there to leave than clean air and water, healthy soils for growing food and lands and waters for finding peace and outdoor fun?
That is what makes me feel so proud of all we are accomplishing at The Nature Conservancy. This includes adopting new science that is guiding our work in conserving federally endangered gray bats, which serve as important pollinators and insect consumers throughout their broad range. We also continue to target land acquisitions that are key to connecting and building resilient landscapes that can support wildlife while reducing the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Our trustees and staff also regularly advocate for nature-friendly legislation and policies—from watershed restoration to wildlife protection and support for working farms and forests—that will secure a healthier planet in the future.
On the topic of legacy, I want you to know that the work we do here in Tennessee represents YOUR legacy as well. That is because none of this work would be possible without your support.
Thank you for all that you do to make it possible for us to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends here in Tennessee. I wish you happy holidays and a healthy New Year.
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF
Summer 2023
I am honored to assume the role as The Nature Conservancy’s state director in Tennessee, where I grew up and continue to reside. I look forward to advancing TNC’s efforts around the state. Since I am new to this job and to TNC, I thought I would share a little bit about me.
Growing up in the beautiful mountains of Chattanooga nurtured my love for spending time outdoors. However, the “aha” moment that led me to focus on a career dedicated to protecting our planet came during college while working as an intern with the Tennessee Department of Health‘s Environmental Epidemiology program. In this role, I was charged with interviewing residents living along the Chattanooga Creek as part of a study examining the effects of toxic pollution that had been released into the watershed for decades. Ultimately, the study results were “inconclusive,” and I felt frustrated that the people living, swimming and fishing along the creek had no recourse for dealing with some of the health issues mentioned during our conversations. However, my eyes were opened to the connection between human health and our environment and my heart was set on dedicating myself to this important relationship.
This snapshot from the beginning of my career comes to mind as I begin this new role with TNC, an organization focused on protecting the lands and waters that support Tennessee’s incredible biodiversity. We mustn’t forget that TNC’s mission includes people. All of the work that TNC does to benefit nature around our state—in our forests, floodplains, farms and around our cities—benefits our physical and mental health.
Thank you for supporting this vital work.
Nature Unites Us
Laurel Creech promotes TNC's work in Tennessee
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Investing in Natural Infrastructure
Laurel spoke with The Tennessean's Opinion and Engagement Director, David Plazas, about her career path and goals as The Nature Conservancy’s Tennessee state director. Check It Out