Guiding Our Vision for Environmental Stewardship and Community Advocacy
Dear Alliance Members and Friends,
It is my greatest honor to step in as the new Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. As a local who has had the privilege of calling Teton County home since my first job with Grand Teton National Park in 2011, I am humbled to be able to lead the oldest conservation organization in the valley.
My career has been centered around wildlife and naturally I landed in a community that places wildlife at the forefront of our values. While individual species and populations face their own struggles, the overarching threat to our wildlife populations as we know it—is us. A pivotal moment in my career that shifted my focus from on-the-ground research to the human/wildlife interface was triggered by this quote by Gus Speth, and environmental lawyer and advocate:
“I used to think the top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation, and we scientists don’t know how to do that.”
Science is the backbone that informs our stance on all the issues, and without it we would be at a loss for the right direction. But even knowing where we need to go, without people who have the willingness, and compassion to speak up for this unique wild place, we cannot make the human level of change needed. While change is inevitable and development will continue, it is our obligation to do so responsibly. I hope you will join me in finding new ways to embrace the values of wildlife, wild places and the interconnectedness with our community. At the end of it, we are all just visitors here. It is a selfless act to look past our time here, and recognize we will also reap the benefits if we seek to share the ability for whoever is next to experience incredible lives in this community and ecosystem as we have.
I am two weeks into the position with a lot to learn, but I couldn’t be more excited to be working with the incredible staff and a very passionate Board of Directors. I welcome you to reach out if you would like to meet me, talk about our current issues and how you can be involved through donations, volunteering or more involvement with the organization. I look forward to meeting all of you in time!
Wildest regards,
Jenny Fitzgerald
