Nathan Lott

Nathan Lott  
Director 
Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans

Nathan Lott came to New Orleans after a decade in natural resource management in the Mid-Atlantic. As a graduate student at Tulane School of Architecture, he gained a deep appreciation for the region’s unique history as well as the challenges of building in a deltaic environment like Southeast Louisiana. In particular, his thesis work on climate change and cultural heritage built upon a longstanding commitment to the joint protection of natural and cultural resources.

In his current position Nathan works with architects, engineers and planners to retrofit the historic city to combat flooding and subsidence. Educational walking tours, professional development courses, and advocacy on local ordinances and comprehensive planning are cornerstones of this work. In 2017, Nathan received the Partner in Excellence Award from AIA New Orleans. For seven years as executive director of the Virginia Conservation Network, Nathan led a coalition of nonprofit and community groups in promoting energy efficiency, conservation easements and watershed restoration. In partnership with conservation groups across six states, Nathan helped launch the Choose Clean Water coalition, which became a force for clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay and a resource to local governments. Nathan also previously served in a state agency as lead author for a greenway-blueway project, Captain John Smith’s Trail on the James River, which leveraged natural and cultural assets to drive economic development.  He currently serves on the board of directors for the Louisiana Landmarks Society.