Welcome Ben Gordon
LandWatch is pleased to announce the selection of Ben Gordon as our next Executive Director. As we celebrate our 35th year of defending our natural environment and building healthy communities, we are confident Ben has the vision and experience to guide LandWatch in its next phase.
Ben joins us after eight years with the Oregon Natural Desert Association where he led ONDA’s stewardship and restoration efforts and spearheaded campaigns to permanently protect vital wildlife habitat in the John Day River Basin. He will officially begin his new role with LandWatch on June 1st, 2020.
Ben has dedicated his career to conservation, and his variety of experiences deepen his love of Central Oregon’s landscape and his commitment to advocating for a sustainable future. His belief in thoughtful planning to benefit us all led him to focus on working lands conservation as Outreach Coordinator for 1000 Friends of Oregon and to co-found the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance to make local food accessible to everyone. He completed the Mid-Career Institute for Environmental Leadership at Seattle University, attended the TREC Senior Leadership Program, and received training from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
As Program Director for ONDA, he created the Tribal Stewards Program to help Oregon’s Native American young adults deepen their connection to their ancestral homeland, explore career pathways in the field of natural resources, and build marketable skills. This program received generous support from the Meyer Memorial Trust and has led numerous participants to pursue advanced degrees toward careers in natural resources.
At the same time we extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul Dewey, our founder and current Executive Director who led the organization so well for 35 years. Paul will help to ensure a smooth leadership transition and remain involved with LandWatch through his work on special projects.
Please join us in welcoming Ben as our new Executive Director. The Board of Directors is deeply committed to working with Ben to ensure his successful and visionary leadership as LandWatch enters its next chapter.