Compass Conservation Strategies, LLC (CCS) was founded with a simple idea: to connect agriculture and conservation groups with public and private partners to conserve natural resources through locally led, voluntary practices. Principal and Founder Dave Gagner provides a comprehensive range of strategic conservation planning solutions designed to enhance agriculture conservation, protect fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality and quantity, and support sustainable futures for natural resources.
Dave Gagner, Principal/Founder of CCS, is a nationally recognized conservation leader with thirty years of experience in coalition building, legislative and regulatory affairs, strategic planning, and communications. Leveraging his expertise in agriculture conservation, energy, alternative fuels, invasive species, resilience, wetlands, and wildlife, Dave is dedicated to expanding natural resource conservation for sustainable futures. He fosters innovative public-private partnerships that secure funding opportunities and drive impactful conservation initiatives.
As senior director for legislative and external affairs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Dave led Federal cooperative agreements with seventeen federal agencies, implemented foundation partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, numerous non-profit conservation groups, agriculture organizations, and state agencies, and executed legislative strategies to secure support for authorizing legislation and federal funding on behalf of Foundation conservation initiatives. These efforts translate into more than $800 million and over 500,000 acres of additional migratory bird habitat while helping corporate partners achieve their agriculture conservation goals.
Dave began his career in 1992, working on ethanol and biofuel initiatives. At the National Association of Conservation Districts, he delivered conservation services to farmers, ranchers, and foresters. His passion for wetlands, wildlife, and invasive species led him to Ducks Unlimited, where he played a key role in the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill. As Chief of Staff for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Dave served in the George W. Bush Administration, representing the USDA on national and state levels. At NRCS, he served as advisor to the Chief, helping manage over 12,500 employees and a $4 billion budget. Dave worked with the farming, hunting, and fishing communities on issues including wetlands, wildlife, drought, the Klamath Basin Task Force, biofuels, and the 2005 Farm Bill Conservation Title.
Dave is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a BA in political science focused on environmental policy. He is also a veteran of the US Army.
Dave Gagner, Principal & Founder (202) 731-2506 davegagner@compassconservation.com
