Nature.org interviewed Jane Richmond, the Conservancy in Maine's director of operations. Jane is responsible for staff hiring, management and professional development, and for planning and guiding the daily operations of an office of more than 35 Conservancy staff in Brunswick. Get Involved You can learn more and explore new places when you join the Conservancy's online community and build you own personalized nature page. "Staff around the world share many of the same concerns: Climate change, water quality, air quality; sprawl, protection of endangered species." — Jane Richmond, director of operations in Maine Go Deeper The Conservancy's China Program - Learn more about our work from Yunnan to the Yangtze. Where We Work - The Conservancy has programs in all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world.   Xingmei Sun, China's human resources manager (shown here on the Great Wall), benefited from the mentorship of Maine's Jane Richmond.   From Maine to the World Find out how the Conservancy in Maine is reaching out to move global conservation forward: Spreading Fire - Nancy Sferra traveled to Indonesia to share Maine's experience with prescribed burns. Postcards from Indonesia - Maine's Will Brune spent several months in Raja Ampat developing marine conservation strategies.

One of The Nature Conservancy's most valuable assets is our staff—a network of thousands of professionals ranging from scientists to lawyers and from writers to accountants. With offices in all 50 states and more than 30 countries, our operations staff are responsible for making sure these human resources are properly stewarded so that we can all fulfill the Conservancy's mission of protecting the lands and waters that support Earth's biodiversity.

The Conservancy’s Jane Richmond, director of operations in Maine, has been helping managers in the United States' eastern region develop programs for exchange and mentorship that will benefit staff in the U.S. and abroad. Jane established a mentorship via internet phone with Xingmei Sun, China's human resources manager. She then visited China to assess the needs of staff there and to work with them to develop more opportunities for exchange.

nature.org: What are the challenges facing operations staff in China?

Jane Richmond: The China program started in 1997, the same year I started working for the Conservancy. Like the economy in China, our program there is expanding rapidly. Recruiting qualified, English-speaking candidates is an on-going effort, along with training new employees. I think all of our country programs face a challenge with interpretation of our organizational policies within their own culture. Understanding this and then offering our support to help them is something they greatly appreciate.

Staff around the world share many of the same concerns: Climate change, water quality, air quality, sprawl, protection of endangered species. China is working to protect sacred places in the Yunnan Province and other great places, including habitat for protected species, like the Golden Monkey. I saw this when I visited Indonesia a few years ago as well. We share the same values and are using similar strategies in our work.

nature.org: How did you help Xingmei as her mentor? 

Jane Richmond: I helped interpret human resource policies and procedures to make it easier for Xingmei to translate policy to Chinese language, so that all staff could understand them. I also explained our peer review practices in Maine and the value of our performance management processes. I also answered questions about our recruitment process. Her responsibilities for recruitment include the entire country of China, and all the rapidly expanding project areas. China has more than 70 staff members.

nature.org: Will this mentorship and exchange with China be expanded to other staff members?

Jane Richmond:  The Northeast region is working on a global exchange program. The goal is to increase partnerships between the fourteen state programs in the Eastern U.S. and the Conservancy's international programs by targeting short-term assignments for technical assistance internationally. This will include all kinds of staff—from stewardship experts to IT staff and everything in between.

nature.org: What was the most surprising thing you learned in China?

Jane Richmond: The most impressive and unexpected pleasure was the generosity of Chinese people. I was welcomed at the Conservancy offices in Kunming, Lijiang and Beijing, sharing meals and stories with our staff. Even in the village marketplaces, local shop owners offered me tea and small gifts, because I had traveled a great distance. My presence was often honored and celebrated, which is apparently customary. I also enjoyed the wonderful variety of food and spices in the Yunnan Province of Southwest China.

nature.org: Do you think your experience in China will help you do your job better back home in Maine?

Jane Richmond: I came back to Maine with a feeling of accomplishment. I was able to help colleagues in China better understand human resources policy and procedures, interpret Conservancy processes more effectively, and as a result, develop a "mentorship" that is ever lasting. I learned something about the Chinese culture and have greater interest and a deeper understanding of the country and the remarkable people. These experiences allow both professional and personal enrichment and I am in a better position to offer encouragement and support to others who travel to our country programs in Asia. 

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Scott Warren (Prayer flags and the Meili Snow Mountain Range, Yunnan Province, China); Photo © TNC (Jane Richmond); Photo © Jane Richmond/TNC (Xingmei Sun at the Great Wall).