Beginning in January, Columbia Land Trust will have a new executive director — environmental conservation scientist Meg Rutledge.
Columbia Land Trust is a Vancouver-based nonprofit that works to conserve the land, water and wildlife of the Columbia River region from The Dalles, Ore., to the Pacific Ocean. The trust touts conversation efforts which focus on science and strong community relationships, two motifs Rutledge strongly resonates with.
“I’ve always felt that the best conservation is collaboration,” Rutledge said on a call from her current home in New Zealand. “My academic background has been in that science space, but my professional endeavors have all been more in working with local communities and working at place to get a great outcome for conservation.”
Rutledge’s hiring ends the search for incumbent Glenn Lamb’s replacement, who announced his retirement in January after 32 years. Lamb, seeking to end his tenure “at a time of great strength,” will continue serving as director until Jan. 3, after Rutledge moves to the Pacific Northwest.
“She consistently impressed the search committee with her strong scientific background, nonprofit and conservation management experience, and passion for our mission,” said Board President Wendy Gerlach in the announcement. “Her energy, directness, and warm personality make her a perfect fit for the next stage in the Land Trust’s history. We give thanks to Glenn for his decades of leadership and look forward to Meg joining us.”
Rutledge previously worked as director of biodiversity threats for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. During that time, she spearheaded a successful reintroduction of native parrots into Abel Tasman National Park after more than 50 years absence, secured resources for New Zealand’s first climate change adaptation plan and led international research on protected areas’ impact on Indigenous livelihoods and endangered species.
“You get actually reasonably similar weather patterns and daylight habits I think here,” Rutledge said, contemplating the similarities between New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest. “The main difference, obviously besides cultural, is the ecology.”
In anticipation of the new role, Rutledge said she plans on spending her first year as executive director investing in the Clark County community and prioritizing the East Fork of the Lewis river, as highlighted in the trust’s 25-year conservation agenda.
“It will be the focus of my energy in the first year for sure to meet as many of the key supporters and community members as I can,” Rutledge said. “To understand the context of what matters to the people of Clark County and understand my role in that county over time. It’s going to be really important that I take the time to get to know people and get involved and help continue strong relationships.”
Rutledge moved from Seattle to New Zealand in 2010 to pursue her doctorate in environmental management, not long after receiving a master’s degree from Yale. Rutledge said she and her family are excited to reunite with family in the region and are hoping to find a home somewhere within Clark County, where the trust is located.
