The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy, the world’s largest conservation organization, is pleased to announce new leadership in Colorado. Former ConAgra Foods senior vice president, Phil James, has assumed the role of board of trustees chair and Tim Sullivan has taken the helm as state director.

“I applaud the choice of Tim Sullivan as the new state director and Phil James as trustee chair for The Nature Conservancy,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). “They are leaders known for their dedication, knowledge and passion to protect the landscapes across Colorado we know and love.

For more than 28 years, James has worked with the Conservancy to make a difference around the globe.An impassioned outdoorsman, James recently received The Nature Conservancy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor for conservation service within the organization.

Currently calling Fort Collins home, James has made many substantial contributions to conserve Colorado’s grasslands. His magnetic personality, backed by years of solid business savvy, make him an ideal advocate for the Conservancy.

Sullivan has more than 15 years of leadership experience in international, national and local conservation efforts. Before joining The Nature Conservancy he served as regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund; guiding their programs in seven states in the West. He also served as an aide to Senator Tim Wirth taking on environmental and public land issues.

 Sullivan has an undergraduate degree in biology and history from Cornell University and a master's degree in conservation biology from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He currently lives in Coal Creek Canyon with wife Leah.

“One thing is evident from my many years working with Phil and Tim—Colorado conservation is in good hands,” said Charles Bedford, immediate past state director of The Nature Conservancy in Colorado.

The Nature Conservancy has been working to find conservation solutions for Colorado since 1965. During that time, the Conservancy has protected over 550,000 acres of grasslands, mountain valleys, forests and rivers. In 2004, the Conservancy played an instrumental role in the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.