Jennifer Patterson began studying ecology in high school at Saint James in Montgomery. Working through college she performed water quality assessments at an aquaculture lab. She earned her degree in Geography and Biology from the University of South Alabama. Jenn has worked with local conservation organizations including the Southern Environmental Center, Alabama Urban Forestry Association and Auntie Litter. At International Expeditions, she was the destination manager for the Galapagos Islands where she served as a board member for the International Galapagos Tour Operators’ Association, which lobbies for conservation, funds projects and promotes the practice sustainable tourism. She is an avid gardener and is passionate about recycling. Jenn was part-time co-Program Director in 2009 and became full-time Program Director in 2010. As Program Director, Jenn assists with outreach and presentations, coordinates programs with partner organizations, help strengthen public support within the watershed and joins Nelson Brooke, Riverkeeper, on certain pollution investigations.

Jenn and her husband Christopher in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Photo by Bolivar Sanchez.