Bridget Zachary
Coastal Marine Habitat Specialist
Bridget Zachary currently serves as a Grants Management Specialist for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council). Created by the RESTORE Act of 2012 and comprised of the Governors of the five Gulf Coast States and Cabinet-level officials from six federal agencies, the Council is responsible for restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast.
Zachary came to the RESTORE Council staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she was a State Liaison for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program. She administered federal grant funds derived from offshore oil lease revenues for conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, mitigation to natural resource damages, and onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs, working directly with the State, subrecipients, and contractors to facilitate grant applications, awards, amendments, and successful project implementation.
Zachary began her federal career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Environmental and Historic Preservation in 2006 following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While working for FEMA, she performed a variety of roles from Environmental Specialist to Environmental and Historic Preservation Advisor.
Prior to her Federal career, Zachary spent over two years as a Groundfish Observer in Alaska. Before that she conducted Marine Recreational Fishing Statistic Surveys in Florida and Louisiana for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, respectively.
Zachary received her Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.