About

Michael Gaffney is a conservationist and writer based in Western North Carolina. He currently works as a Conservation and GIS Specialist at Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and previously served as the Carbon, Climate, and Conservation Fellow with North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. 

Michael holds a dual MEM/PhD from Duke University. He earned his master’s degree at the Nicholas School of the Environment in spatial ecology. His PhD research was conducted with the Program in Literature, where he specialized in environmental humanities.

Michael’s writing reflects on the kinds of stories we tell about climate change and the environment. His most recent essay, “When Mountains Flood: On Climate Havens,” describes his experience of Hurricane Helene and its impact on the idea of climate resilient places.