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Jill Wells
Writer
The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska
Email: jwells@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced this week that John Cougher is now the State Director for the Nebraska program.
Cougher brings a wealth of experience to the role. He began his career with TNC in 2011 as the Associate Director of Philanthropy in Oklahoma. He then joined the Kansas staff in 2015, where as Director of Philanthropy he spearheaded a $30 million, five-year campaign.
Cougher succeeds Dr. Mace Hack, who held the role for 15 years. Hack was tapped for a new role leveraging TNC's network of preserves in North America.
“I have been fortunate to work with Nebraska staff on cross-border initiatives over the past few years. Mace put together a remarkable team of leaders and ecologists, and I’m deeply honored and humbled to join them as State Director,” said Cougher. I will never tire of the experience of watching 600,000 cranes assemble on the iconic Platte River, and working in the Sandhills is a conservationist’s dream.”
Dr. James Armitage, who chairs the Board of Trustees for TNC in Nebraska, expressed his support for Cougher’s appointment. “Nebraska is doing entrepreneurial, innovative conservation work in one of the most beautiful places in North America. I feel confident that John is the right candidate at the right time to keep Nebraska’s momentum and to lead the chapter into a bright future,” he said.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
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