The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Deborah Landau

Conservation Ecologist

Bethesda, Maryland

Brief Biography

Deborah’s work focuses on restoration at more than 30 Conservancy preserves across Maryland/DC and reaching into West Virginia. Her projects include planting native trees or removing non-native invasive species; returning natural processes such as fire to landscapes; restoring natural hydrology to lands that have been ditched and drained; and monitoring how plants, animals, and habitats respond to these conservation actions.

Deborah on Why Her Work Is Rewarding

“This may sound corny, but the most satisfying part is the fact that The Nature Conservancy’s preserves are protected forever. Sometimes I get satisfaction very quickly from my work, like with prescribed burns — the native species will come back fast. But a lot of projects, like tree planting, will take years and years and years to see results. It’s very satisfying to know that I can do these long-term projects and they’ll continue on and on. I love going out into the preserves, and perhaps the coolest part of my job is just being able to do something different every single day.”

Program Benefits

• Preserving natural heritage of native plants, animals and habitats
• Enhancing habitat for native plants, animals, and communities
• Enhancing recreation and opportunities to understand and experience native ecology
• Decreasing risks from wildfire

Deborah’s Hopes for the Next 3-5 Years

• Expanded capacity for the fire program to increase prescribed burns on the ground
• More locally sourced native tree seedlings available for restoration projects
• More acres of significant natural areas protected

Recent Opinions and News Coverage

• Cicada Checkup (interview with WTTG)
• Seven Reasons to Embrace the Swarmageddon (nature.org interview)
• The Slow Burn At A Local Nature Preserve (radio interview with WAMU)
• Deborah Landau Bugs Out (interview about insects)
• Deborah Landau Reflects on Maryland’s Burn Season (interview)

Key Project Partners

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Heritage Program
• Forest Service
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• County farm agencies
• University researchers and students
• Volunteers

Credentials

• Ph.D., Entomology and Plant Biology, Louisiana State University
• M.S., Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee
• B.S., International Environmental Studies, Rutgers
  
   

Deborah Landau

Conservation Ecologist

Read Deborah Landau's Full Biography

Read Deborah Landau's Full Biography

Read Deborah Landau's Full Biography