Executive Director: Land Trust of Santa Cruz

Painter Executive Search is supporting the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County in its search for an Executive Director to lead its efforts to protect, care for, and connect people to the extraordinary landscapes of Santa Cruz County.

Please consider your network and send this opportunity along or contact us for more information. We welcome your suggestions and recommendations and appreciate your help in identifying potential candidates.

Santa Cruz County has nearly 30 miles of Pacific coastline, rugged mountains, dense evergreen and redwood forests, fertile farm and grazing lands, wetlands, key watersheds, and unique sandhill ecosystems that are home to many rare plants and animals. Located a short drive from Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz County retains its rural charm in the face of substantial development pressure. As local land experts, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (Land Trust), protects critical working lands and open space while ensuring that important habitat and wildlife corridors are safeguarded and that access to open space is increasingly available for all people.

The Land Trust is engaged in many of the most challenging aspects of land conservation. The Land Trust actively manages land including periodic timber harvests, seasonal livestock grazing and active cultivation. It is engaged in wetland restoration and stewards land with threatened species. It also has a deep commitment to public access. Working with a variety of partners, the Land Trust is in the process of developing over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails on properties throughout the county.

The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to engage a highly supportive community in protecting the underpinnings of environmental vibrancy of this unique county and ensuring that the public can more fully access the diverse beauty and bounty of this land. The organization is seeking a forward-thinking leader who will help shape the vision for conservation and public access in the county and solidify the Land Trust as an important local leader in the community and among its numerous conservation partners.

Please contact Nancy Painter should you be interested in learning more or submit your background for consideration at Nancy@painterexecutivesearch.com. To learn more about our organizations, please visit our websites landtrustsantacruz and painterexecutivesearch.