Catherine "Catie" Crafa

Catie is a passionate environmental advocate at Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), where she focuses on protecting clean water and wetlands. Her primary area of expertise is advocating for policies and legal frameworks that foster the protection and restoration of native ecosystems. Catie's interest in beaver-based watershed restoration stems from her deep understanding of how beaver activity plays a crucial role in improving water quality and creating wetlands. She believes that the restoration of beaver populations can be a powerful, natural solution to some of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today. 

In her role at the Southeast Beaver Alliance, Catie is instrumental in crafting the group’s strategic plan, formulating policy initiatives, and building relationships with partners to further the Alliance’s mission. Her work at the intersection of law, policy, and environmental science helps guide meaningful change toward more sustainable land and water management practices. 

Catie holds a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy from University of Arizona, with a degree in Legal Studies from University of Central Florida. Her education has equipped her with the legal and technical knowledge to navigate complex environmental issues. And her dedication to both ecological and legal solutions makes her well-suited for the fight for a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Outside of her professional work, Catie enjoys hiking through the natural landscapes she works to protect, knitting, reading, and tending to her garden. Catie aspires to contribute to the preservation and restoration of our planet’s vital ecosystems through her work and her passions.