Josh Priest

Josh grew up in Norfolk enjoying boating, crabbing and swimming on the Lafayette River. After graduation from the Virginia Military Institute, he returned to Norfolk to start a career in engineering. In the mid 90s he saw an opportunity to join up with the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) with the goal of having a cleaner river for his children. After many long years his children now have a much cleaner river to enjoy. He has been a dedicated volunteer for ERP for 30 years including service as a board member. Josh recently joined the Board of Directors for Wetlands Watch in 2022. Late in his career, Josh obtained a Master’s Degree in Coastal/Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University, graduating with his daughter in 2014. Over the last 30 years Josh has been involved in many wetlands’ restoration projects throughout the Elizabeth River watershed as well as Back Bay in Virginia Beach and other areas. Josh is credited with developing and executing one of the first volunteer wetlands restoration projects in Virginia, and now living shoreline restorations are commonplace. He still employs a shovel and wheel barrel to restore wetlands across the watershed.