Dr. Donald Blancher is a nationally recognized expert on estuarine ecology, habitat assessment, water quality, and biological impacts of discharges to ecosystems.

He received his PhD in Environmental Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida and is a Board Certified Environmental Scientist with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Recently he has been working with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is focused on both assessment and restoration issues associated with the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Dr. Blancher has authored over 50 technical reports and papers and numerous presentations at national and international meetings. He was formerly chairperson of Ecology and Aquatic Resources Committee of the Water Environment Federation, is adjunct associate professor in the Environmental Toxicology Program at the University of South Alabama, and and chair of Goundwork NOLA’s Technical Advisory Committee.