San Joaquin Valley Project Director

The Nature Conservancy • California, MD

273d • $87,700 - $123,600

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, nonpartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world. The California Chapter is TNC's largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 275 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast. The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state's communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office. Finally, we are passionate about holding the middle ground in American politics and civic life and doing our part to make conservation a shared national value. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its "big tent" approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We are not activists. We do not litigate. We do not take public stands on matters unrelated to our purpose. We welcome everyone. Everyone in our organization should therefore be adept at working with people who may not share their personal values or opinions. We ask all employees to embrace the critical strategic position of our brand and organization as centrist and non-partisan. It is the foundation of our success. Our team at The Nature Conservancy of California is developing nature-based opportunities to help implement two important state policies: achieving sustainable groundwater management by 2040 and generating net zero energy by 2045. Success for both relies on transitioning land use in the San Joaquin Valley, where irrigated farmland must come out of production to reduce water use. TNC is working to create low-water land use options for landowners and communities as this transition occurs. Three promising future land uses include well-sited renewable energy projects, restoring land to rare desert habitat, and developing wildlife-friendly groundwater recharge projects. To ensure these are viable outcomes as land is repurposed, TNC is developing the necessary enabling conditions. This includes building the partnerships, projects and funding mechanisms needed to make bird-friendly recharge, renewables and habitat restoration attractive options for landowners and communities. TNC is working to do this, in part, by working with an investment fund, which is facilitating the development of these types of projects. This role presents an exciting opportunity to drive innovative approaches to transition to a more sustainable future for California - join us!