Davin White
Communications Specialist
West Virginia Conservation Agency
Biography:
I’ve been telling conservation stories for the West Virginia Conservation Agency since 2018, using words, photos, video, and the occasional drone flight to share stories about conservation work and the people behind it with diverse audiences. I earned two journalism degrees from West Virginia University and started my career as a newspaper reporter and editor. These days, I live in Fairmont, W. Va., with my wife, Shawna, our son Elias, and two cats. Recently, I survived a very lively Friday in Pittsburgh—Elias’s idea—during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The best advice someone gave me early in my career was calm down. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
A conservation idea more states should borrow is “30,000 -foot planning” for what conservation could look like in 25 years. The future of conservation may vary from state to state, but thinking ahead now—about partnerships, climate-smart practices, and education—could help NASCA members remain relevant, adaptable, and prepared for changing conservation needs.
My biggest supporter when I first started in conservation was former WVCA Executive Director Brian Farkas.
One way I try to make meetings more meaningful is to share my state’s perspectives and recent accomplishments and/or challenges.
If I could time travel, I would go to 1960-1961 to see or talk with President Kennedy.
Davin kneeling and holding the orange drone during a drone training demonstration with co-workers. Walter Veselka photo.
A habit colleagues probably recognize in me is my persistence and diligence. At times I can be methodical—and maybe even a little slow and plodding. My mom said that as a child, I was the tortoise and my brother, the hare. In college, a roommate said I “just move at the ‘Speed of White.’” The phrase stuck.
Ask me about telling conservation’s story through video. At heart I’m still a reporter/writer, but I’ve learned that using other tools—drones, still and video cameras—enhance story telling—not just the work, but the beauty in conservation and the fascinating people who practice it.