Krista McCraken is a Marine Habitat Resource Specialist based in Charleston, South Carolina. She works to support the work of the Office of Habitat Conservation 's Restoration Center in the southeastern United States.

What is your key responsibility?

I lead NOAA case teams under the Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program, including Kerr McGee Chemical Corporation in North Carolina and ExxonMobil in South Carolina. I also oversee habitat restoration projects in the South Atlantic recently funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (go Eagles!), but I have lived in Charleston for more than 20 years.

What is your educational background?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, both from the College of Charleston.

Can you tell us about a project related to habitat that you're currently working on or that you enjoyed?

The Living With Water habitat restoration project in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a unique restoration project I'm currently working on. This is a habitat restoration project being implemented as part of Kerr McGee's Phase 1 restoration effort, which includes more than 10 restoration projects in the Lower Cape Fear Watershed. The project site is at the Battleship North Carolina, one of the state's largest tourist destinations. The project aims to restore habitat and reduce flooding impacts to the property by converting hardened shoreline to living shoreline, converting impervious surface to tidal wetland, and redesigning parking infrastructure with stormwater best management practices. This is a flagship project demonstrating habitat restoration as a strategy to improve community resilience.

What habitat work has been especially successful or inspiring to you?

I am especially inspired by salt marsh restoration projects. The South Atlantic salt marsh is my favorite natural landscape, and my professional passion. I like to tell my children I'm trying to save their world, one wetland at a time.

Can you describe a time when you were surprised by fish and/or habitat?

I have learned so much about how interconnected ecological benefits are with community and cultural benefits. While I came into the work to conserve and restore habitat for habitat's sake, I've come to have a greater appreciation for how connected a community's culture is to the landscape.

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