N.C. Environmental Defense Strengthens Water Quality Initiatives

North Carolina Environmental Defense today announced that Dr. David McNaught has joined the organization as a senior policy analyst for water quality issues in North Carolina and the southeast United States.

McNaught most recently served as executive director of the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Under his leadership, the fund allocated $170 million to 182 community projects to protect or restore water quality and committed $40 million to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to restore 100,000 acres of ecologically sensitive farmland.

“We are pleased to add Dave to the Environmental Defense team,” said Jane Preyer, director of the North Carolina Environmental Defense office. “His analytical skills, creativity and indefatigable passion for protecting our environment will be a big asset in our work on water quality issues.”

“Environmental Defense has an impressive record of achieving real progress on water quality issues in the southeast,” said McNaught. “North Carolina and the entire region must work diligently to solve water quality problems and protect this critical natural resource.”

McNaught received master’s degrees in sociology and environmental sciences from Wake Forest University and the University of Montana and a Ph.D. in social theory from the University of Florida. In addition to his work with the Clean Water Trust Fund, McNaught was executive director of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and served on the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission.

McNaught will be based in the Raleigh offices of Environmental Defense and can be reached at 919 881-2601 or at dmcnaught@environmentaldefense.org by email.