Profile: Pete Okie

Pete Okie
TNC

The Nature Conservancy's story may be one of places protected, but that story has been written by extraordinary people: conservation heroes whose passion for the environment is shared through their volunteer activity, financial contributions and spirited advocacy.

One such champion for the Roanoke River is Austin "Pete" Okie, a true Southern gentleman—except for the fact that he isn't a Southerner at all. Pete is a native of Delaware, where he now lives in historic Georgetown. Many years ago, Pete was referred to the Conservancy's Delaware Chapter by a local farmland preservation foundation, which ultimately led him to donate a conservation easement on his family's Indian River farm. That land became the cornerstone of the Conservancy's 560-acre Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve, one of the largest blocks of forested land along Delaware's fragile inland bays. In the years since, Pete has hosted events at the preserve, made generous contributions to support the organization's work in his home state and urged other residents to conserve their lands as well.

But that's only half of the story. Early on in his conversations with Conservancy staff in Delaware, Pete shared his interest in another region of the country: northeastern North Carolina, which he first visited in the 1950s while stationed at Virginia Beach. Pete's active service in the Navy ended long ago but his affection for this region of the state has endured. Over the years, he has made countless trips to visit the small towns and communities that define the northeastern Coastal Plain, enjoying their historic sites, cultural attractions, kind and welcoming people and local food.

Pete took his first field trip with the North Carolina Chapter in April 1998, when he visited the Conservancy’s project sites on the Roanoke River. Since then, he has returned to the Roanoke many times, visited other projects on the Alligator and Chowan Rivers and been a welcome presence at events in Edenton, Manteo, Williamston and Columbia. In addition to his active participation in the life of the North Carolina Chapter, Pete has made generous contributions to support land acquisition and management efforts on the Roanoke, including support for the recent landmark acquisition of former International Paper lands.

Thanks to Pete's commitment to conservation and generous contributions to the North Carolina and Delaware chapters, the Conservancy is able to undertake important conservation work in two states. His example continues to inspire others to join the cause of conservation and help preserve our natural treasures.