Jeff DeQuattro
Director of Restoration, Gulf of Mexico
Alabama
Areas of Expertise
Restoration, coastal resilience, oyster reef restoration, water use
Biography
"I love the Gulf of Mexico," says Jeff. “From alligators in the wetlands and sunsets over the marshes to its salty air and the sight of blue crabs scampering over tidal oyster reefs. I love this place.” Jeff was hired by TNC to manage a $3 million Recovery Act project to restore 1.5 miles of oyster reef in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Soon thereafter, he found himself leading TNC’s oil spill recovery efforts along Alabama’s coast. His role at TNC was then expanded to encompass other conservation and restoration activities along Alabama’s coast.
Prior to TNC, Jeff worked as an environmental consultant and storm water professional for large industrial clients and developers throughout Alabama. He has also worked as a hazardous and non-hazardous waste broker, which included cleaning contaminated sites and oil spills.
Jeff, who earned a degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, says life on the Gulf has a "priceless quality that is unmatched in bounty and possibility. It's not appreciated for the natural resources that sustain the livelihoods of not only Gulf Coast residents, but much of the entire country as well. Who would have thought that it would take the largest environmental disaster in United States' history for the Gulf to be recognized for its contributions? But hopefully this disaster made us realize that by working together with a sustainable frame of mind, we can achieve a more resilient and more bountiful Gulf of Mexico that will continue to support the quality of life that is our home."