The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Terry’s appointment began on April 11, 2011.  He comes to the position with considerable experience in policy and management, including holding the Rhode Island State Director position from 2001 through 2003. Terry was most recently the director of the Trust for Public Land’s Southern New England programs. Before that, Terry served as the co-lead for the Conservancy’s North America Freshwater policy work and as a Senior Policy Advisor. Terry first joined The Nature Conservancy in Florida in 1993 as Director of Government Relations leading the Conservancy’s efforts to establish Florida Forever, the state’s landmark 10-year, $3 billion land and water conservation program.
“My heart and passion are focused on conserving the beautiful places of Rhode Island, my home state” said Terry. “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to once again lead this terrific organization forward, preserving our incredible natural areas while innovating through science and policy to restore our estuaries and oceans.”
“We are so pleased to have such a committed conservationist and Rhode Islander at the helm of The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island,” said Austin Smith, the group’s board chair for the state. “Terry’s background in management and policy is a great combination for this position. We are all looking forward to working with him to grow this incredible organization.”
The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island has protected over 30,000 acres of land for wildlife and for people, and has built a science-based coastal and marine program that focuses on restoring the state’s estuaries. The organization has the support of roughly 5,000 members in the state, a budget of roughly $1.6M and roughly 17 full-time staff.
“This organization has accomplished so much over the last 22 years, “said Terry, “I am eager to get out and meet our great members and supporters at one of our many programs and events this summer.”