“A Perspective on Conservation in Georgia”

A native of Toccoa, Georgia, Robert Ramsay graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Anthropology.  To put himself through college, he worked as a professional fly fishing guide, a career that he enjoyed for decade while splitting his time between Montana, Alaska, Patagonia Argentina and Arctic Russia.  Coupled with a childhood spent in the woods of northeast Georgia, his conservation ethic was formed at an early age.

Upon leaving the guiding profession, Ramsay spent five years working as a financial advisor for Raymond James Financial Services, where he built and managed a book of 250 individual investment clients and approximately 350 retirement plan participants.   Longing for an opportunity to work in the conservation field, heaccepted an offer to become the first full time president of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association where he worked to help sustainable grow the industry by working to grow participation in the sport and advocating for protection and restoration of freshwater and marine habitat, both critical for survival and growth of sport fishing in this country.  

Ramsay became exclusively engaged in conservation when he was hired by The Nature Conservancy in Georgia.  There he played a significant role in developing and executing the strategies for that organization’s three-year $25 million capital campaign.  He became president of the Georgia Conservancy on July 1, 2014, following three years’ service as the organization’s development vice president.   

Ramsay is a past member of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s policy council and Board of Directors of Casting for Recovery.  He is a current supporter of the Coastal Conservation Association and Trout Unlimited.  He is an avid angler who takes every opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders offered by our state.

Special Introduction by Ed Dobbs, Board Chair, Georgia Conservancy