Get to know the Alliance: Katie Chang

With the holidays approaching, the Land Trust Alliance cornered some of our longest-tenured staff to ask them how they got started at the Alliance, what they're grateful for, and what gives them hope for the future. Katie Chang has been with the Land Trust Alliance for 17 years and currently serves as the organization’s associate director of educational services.

What brought you to the Land Trust Alliance?

Katie Chang: The paycheck! I participated in AmeriCorps straight out of college, so this was my first true job opportunity.

If you weren’t working for this organization, what would be your dream job?

Chang: Retirement. ;)

What keeps you working for the Alliance?

Chang: My Land Trust Alliance colleagues are the most dedicated, hard-working and knowledgeable group that also knows how to support one another and have a good time. Despite not knowing anything about land conservation when I started, I have learned so much about the amazing work our members do every day and love being a small part of it.

Rally is the Land Trust Alliance’s annual gathering of land conservation practitioners from around the world. What was your first Rally experience, and which Rally was the most memorable or impactful to you?

Chang: Rally 2007 in Denver was my first one and, at the time, was the largest Rally we'd ever had. Seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time paired with the enthusiasm of 2,200 people committed to protecting beautiful places like that made a huge impression on me as a first-timer.

I don't know which Rally it was at, but the most memorable moment for me came at a welcome dinner. I sat down at the first table I saw with an empty seat. There were four or five people at the table already and they were all from the same land trust. One of them saw my name tag and recognized me as the person who had helped her recently with the Learning Center, and they were all so excited to meet me! I felt like a celebrity.

During your time with the Alliance, what has been your favorite accomplishment or program, and why?

Chang: I have enjoyed seeing both accreditation and Terrafirma grow from an idea to the well-established and widely respected programs they are today. I love seeing our members, funders and donors connect with the Alliance programs and services they use in their day-to-day work.

What are you most grateful for?

Chang: Our funders and donors. Their support makes it all possible.

What’s your biggest conservation concern?

Chang: How do we make land conservation more diverse, equitable and inclusive? Good intentions aren't enough to overcome hundreds of years of barriers in American history.

When you are having a bad day at work, what keeps you going?

Chang: When I answer questions from our members and partner organizations and they include a note of appreciation in response, it makes my whole month!

Who inspires you?

Chang: The people who are still early in their conservation careers — their passion, ideas and commitment to change are essential to the future of this movement.

What gives you reason for hope?

Chang: That our shared human need for connection, nature and belonging is universal.