Director of Conservation

Ben Prater
828-258-2667 ext. 2
ben@wildsouth.org

I was born and raised at the foot of the Blue Ridge in upstate SC. I spent much of my childhood exploring the wonders of nature and learned to appreciate our connection to the land. I moved to NC during my college years and graduated from Catawba College with a degree in Environmental Science. I went on to earn a Master’s of Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment where I focused on learning the principles of resource ecology, and ecosystem management.

I have been involved with Wild South since 2003. I interned with Wild South and instantly found myself involved in an organization that tapped my passion for preserving the wonderful places that I know and love. Now, as the Associate Director of Wild South I have dedicated my knowledge and skills to making a difference in the world of conservation and forest advocacy. It is my hope that you will join us as we seek to permanently protect the forests of the Southern Appalachians. These forests are not only our heritage they are our legacy.