Andy Finton
Senior Conservation Ecologist, Massachusetts
Boston, MA
Andy Finton Senior Conservation Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. © Andy Finton
Areas of Expertise
Forest Ecology, Land and Forest Policy, Biodiversity, Botany, Solar Energy Siting
Biography
Andy Finton is the senior conservation ecologist for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. He collaborates with state agencies, land trusts, municipalities, academics, and others to protect resilient landscapes that benefit both people and nature.
In this role, he has produced and amplified biodiversity and resilience science to direct and inform conservation funding, policies and actions across the state. He co-authored the Massachusetts BioMap with MassWildlife, a forward-looking vision for biodiversity conservation across Massachusetts, and contributed to The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Landscape analysis.
Andy has successfully advocated for old growth forests and the designation of large forest reserves on over 120,000 acres of state land. He helped incorporate biodiversity data into the Massachusetts solar energy incentive program, allowing for the expansion of renewable energy while minimizing the impact on sensitive and important natural resources.
He enjoys communicating the benefits and necessity of nature to our health and well-being, and loves helping people understand the natural world around them. Some topics he's spoken about include the importance of biodiversity (NPR, Boston Globe), the impacts of climate change on fall foliage colors (Washington Post, Boston Globe), and the role our Christmas tree purchases have on supporting nature and reducing climate change (New York Times, CNN, BBC, Inverse).
Andy has been with TNC for over 25 years, previously having worked as an ecologist for the NY Natural Heritage Program, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Andy earned a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Cornell and an M.S. in Forest Ecology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
When not working, Andy enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, gardening, and working to restore native trees and shrubs to his home’s urban habitat near Boston.
In The Media
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How Christmas Tree Farms Can Help Wildlife
The question comes up every holiday season: real vs. fake Christmas Trees... which one is "better"? Finton has weighed in on the topic, sharing how real trees can support nature. Learn more
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Mass. conservationists welcome executive order to protect biodiverse lands
Finton weighs in on Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's biodiversity executive order asking state agencies to set conservation targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. Read the article
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What the drought could mean for New England’s fall foliage
Sharing expertise on the effects of a dryer summer for the outlook of fall foliage colors in New England Check out the piece
Forest Conservation
Natural Highways and Neighborhoods: Conserving a Network of Climate-Resilient Lands
This remarkable new mapping tool provides a roadmap for conserving places where plants and animals can thrive in a changing climate.
Connecting Lands for Climate Resilience
TNC data shows which landscapes will support plants and animals as the climate changes. We're working to protect them.
Using Nature to Reduce Carbon Pollution
Forests, wetlands and farms play an important role in tackling climate change by storing large amounts of carbon. Not to mention the other benefits they provide for people and nature.