Meet Connor Gilbert: On A Mission for Coastal Restoration

Some of Connor Gilbert’s earliest memories are of mornings spent with his father— venturing into the cool woods of Georgia, settling into the stand and waiting for the first sign of a deer through the trees. Growing up in Woodstock, GA, the outdoors wasn’t just a place to explore; it was a way of life. Whether it was fishing or hunting, every moment outside deepened his love for wildlife and the habitat that sustains them.
That passion became a calling during a summer job at a marina on Lake Allatoona. Between refueling boats and chatting with Georgia DNR biologists, Connor got his first real glimpse into the world of fisheries and conservation. The stories he heard about protecting fish populations and restoring habitats ignited a fire—one that led him to Louisiana State University to study Natural Resource Ecology and Management with a focus on Aquaculture and Fisheries.
At LSU, Connor immersed himself in conservation efforts, becoming president of the university’s American Fisheries Society subchapter and connecting with fellow students dedicated to protecting the waterways they loved. That hands-on experience paved the way for a career that has taken him deep into Louisiana’s wetlands, working on the front lines of restoration.

His journey led him to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, where he discovered the power of outreach and public engagement. It was here that he saw firsthand how connecting with sportsmen and conservationists could drive real change. Connor recognized that successful conservation isn’t just about science—it’s about people.
Now, as part of the Vanishing Paradise team, Connor is on a mission to rally the outdoors community around coastal restoration. He knows that to protect Louisiana’s world-class fisheries and wildlife, the habitat itself must be restored. That’s why you’ll find him at public meetings, sportsman’s banquets and conservation events around Louisiana talking with anyone who shares his love for the land and water. His goal? To build strong partnerships that ensure future generations can experience the same outdoor traditions that shaped his life.
When he’s not working, Connor is likely on the water, at an LSU sporting event, or enjoying a good tennis match. He also serves as the president-elect of the LSU Renewable Natural Resources Alumni Association, connecting professionals who are making a difference in conservation.
If you see him out in the field or at an event, be sure to say hello—he’s always up for a conversation about the outdoors. As his mom always told him, “If you love your job, you never work a day in your life,” and for Connor, that couldn’t be truer.