News
Executive Director Ann Cole Announces Retirement
December 20, 2019
Mendocino Land Trust announces that Ann Cole will retire in the spring of 2020 after seven years as executive director. The Land Trust’s Board of Trustees will begin the hiring process for her replacement in mid-January.
The Board of Trustees expresses its tremendous gratitude to Ann for her dedicated service, vision and leadership. “For the past seven years, Ann has been a terrific advocate for Mendocino Land Trust and all those who cherish the natural resources of Mendocino County,” says John Swartley, board president. “Ann’s commitment has greatly enhanced the Land Trust’s capacity and increased awareness throughout our community of the organization’s important conservation work.”
Under Ann’s leadership, Mendocino Land Trust brought national recognition to Mendocino County with its achievement of Land Trust Accreditation status, a significant milestone for the organization that improved and stabilized operations and its financial foundation. Ann also guided team members and the board in conserving thousands of acres of land, building miles of new trails and completing dozens of salmon habitat restoration projects. Her efforts garnered new partnerships, shepherded in a new strategic plan and placed the organization in a strong position for continued growth.
Ann has had an extensive career in land use law, environmental project management and executive leadership, including 10 years with the Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization. She became executive director of the Mendocino Land Trust in March 2013. In that same year, Ann received the Conservation Lands Foundation’s “Advocate of the Year” Award for her leadership role in advocating for national monument designation for the Point Arena-Stornetta lands, which are now a part of the California Coastal National Monument.
Mendocino Land Trust has been a leader in land conservation, stewardship and habitat restoration in Mendocino County for more than 40 years. Well known for its extensive network of coastal beaches and public access trails, Mendocino Land Trust also engages in land conservation projects countywide. Since 1976, Mendocino Land Trust has worked with willing landowners to protect more than 14,000 acres of forests, wildlife habitat and agricultural lands in Mendocino County.