From staff reports
The Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) announced, in a news release, the appointment of Courtney Kimmel as its full-time Director of Conservation, which is also a new position for the organization. According to the release, Kimmel will lead PRSF’s efforts to advance environmental stewardship and conservation initiatives in the Port Royal Sound watershed.
Prior to joining the Port Royal Sound Foundation, Kimmel, a social ecologist, served as Vice President of the Captain Planet Foundation. She is also a Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech, where she earned her Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
Kimmel’s background in both the academic and nonprofit sectors makes her uniquely qualified to further PRSF’s mission of conserving the natural beauty and ecological health of the Port Royal Sound region. In her new role, she will focus on fostering innovative partnerships and developing impactful conservation strategies that engage local communities and stakeholders.
Originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Kimmel grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, which sparked her lifelong dedication to environmental sustainability. She now resides on Battery Creek in Beaufort, with her wife Jill, and their dog, Fisher.
“We are thrilled to welcome Courtney as our full-time Director of Conservation,” PRSF Executive Director Jody Hayward said in the release. “Her experience, knowledge, and passion for conservation will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our efforts to protect and conserve the Port Royal Sound and its surrounding ecosystems.”
For more information about the Port Royal Sound Foundation and its programs, visit PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org.
