Get to know the Alliance: Lori Faeth
Faeth is in her eighth year with the Land Trust Alliance and serves as its senior director for government relations.
With Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday 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. Lori Faeth is in her eighth year with the Land Trust Alliance and serves as its senior director for government relations.
What was it about the Alliance that drew you to work for the organization?
Lori Faeth: I had worked for the state and federal government for 14 years and wanted to go back to a nonprofit. I wanted to continue to work in the natural resource policy area but also wanted to work for an organization that was not partisan and that focused on finding solutions to advancing conservation. The Alliance was a perfect fit. I love the way we approach our policy work — all of our work — to bring to our members together, identify issues and find solutions.
If you weren’t working for this organization, what’s your dream job?
Faeth: A job that paid me to travel domestically and internationally to learn about different cultures, ecosystems and cuisines.
What keeps you working for the Alliance?
Faeth: I really love my job and I love working with such great people
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?
Faeth: My first Rally was in 2017 in Denver. I had always heard about Rally but had never attended. The most impactful thing was the number of people who attended and all the great energy — I left so inspired.
During your time with the Alliance, what has been your favorite accomplishment and why?
Faeth: Getting the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act signed into law in 2022.
Halting the abuse of conservation donations was a top priority for the Alliance and the best way to do it was to pass legislation. I have been up against strong opposition during my career, but nothing like the syndicators who outspent us by millions. It was a lesson in persistence, integrity, the importance of great consultants and building a strong coalition.
The 2018 Farm Bill is a close second because it included most of our priorities and the result has been farms and ranches are being conserved across the country.
What are you most grateful for?
Faeth: The people I have met or reconnected with since I joined the Alliance team.
What’s your biggest conservation concern?
Faeth: That too many people are not taking climate change seriously despite daily evidence of what it is doing to our planet. The challenge is real, and land conservation is a big part of the answer, yet we are seeing infrastructure gobble up more and more land and use incredible amounts of water. It is alarming, but there is also hope in the work of our land trust community and an understanding that there are actions everyone can take to make a difference.
Other than the Alliance and land conservation, what other cause are you supporting this Giving Tuesday?
Faeth: An organization that provides critical services to low-income immigrants.
When you are having a bad day at work, what keeps you going?
Faeth: Knowing I have colleagues I can talk to about whatever is going on. I also deeply believe in the work of the Alliance and our members, and that really energizes me.
Who inspires you?
Faeth: My grandson.
Who in the conservation space inspires you?
Faeth: My Dad, who left this Earth long ago. He took us hiking, taught us about plants and animals and instilled in me a lifelong commitment to care about the environment.
What gives you reason for hope?
Faeth: I'm an optimist. Every day I wake up gives me hope.
