Renee Fortner

Renee grew up along the New River in Ashe County, N.C. where she spent most of her childhood exploring the woods and creek near her home. Her childhood experiences instilled an unwavering love of the outdoors and passion for conservation. Renee’s interests eventually led her to Asheville where she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from UNC-Asheville and later an M.S. in Biology from East Carolina University.

Renee holds professional certificates in Stormwater BMP Inspection & Maintenance and Residential Rain Garden Design from N.C. State University. She is also a Board of Trustee for the Friends of Hominy Creek Greenway.

While living in Asheville, Renee has been drawn to the surrounding rivers, whether it was canoeing the French Broad, swimming in the Swannanoa, or rafting the Nolichucky where she and her husband Dave were married. As the Watershed Resources Manager, Renee is excited to apply her skills to the conservation of the surrounding rivers, which are vital both ecologically and economically to this area in which we live.