Torgan named R.I. state director at Nature Conservancy

JOHN TORGAN has been named the new state director of The Nature Conservancy's Rhode Island chapter. / COURTESY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
JOHN TORGAN has been named the new state director of The Nature Conservancy's Rhode Island chapter. / COURTESY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

PROVIDENCE – John Torgan was named state director of The Nature Conservancy’s Rhode Island chapter, according to a Thursday statement made by the global conservation organization.

Commenting on his new appointment, Torgan said he is “ready to take the helm at this critical time for nature and for our state.”

“If we take good care of these places, we can continue to achieve amazing outcomes in spite of the many challenges we face,” he added.

Prior to his promotion, Torgan served as the chapter’s director of ocean and coastal conservation for five years – a position in which he led coastal habitat restoration programs for The Nature Conservancy in South County. He also was involved in projects focused on improving water quality, sustainable fisheries and ocean planning and management throughout the New England coast.

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Terry Sullivan, who served as Rhode Island state director prior to Torgan, has been named The Nature Conservancy’s New England division director.

Of his colleague’s recent appoint and qualification Sullivan said: “[Torgan’s] background as an outdoorsman, advocate and coalition-builder are a great combination for this position, and made John the clear choice to head the Rhode Island chapter.”

In addition, Torgan worked at Save The Bay for 18 years, eventually holding the position of Narragansett Baykeeper in which his responsibilities included analyzing the impact of oil spills, wastewater treatment, dredging, power plants, coastal development, urban waterfronts and invasive species on the Ocean State’s aquatic ecosystems and waterways.

A graduate of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., Torgan is the recipient of the 2012 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award for Environmental Merit for his effort to improve conditions of Narragansett Bay.

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