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    The Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award honors individuals whose leadership has energized and elevated the conservation community, reflecting the values and spirit of Kingsbury Browne — a founder of the Alliance and a catalyst for the land trust movement. It recognizes those who not only protect land but also inspire people, spark innovation, and build bridges across generations and sectors.

    The recipient of this prestigious award is celebrated each year at Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference.

    Questions?

    For additional information on the criteria for the Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award, please email awards@lta.org.

    Award criteria

    Core attributes of awardees

    • Trailblazing leadership

      Demonstrates exceptional leadership in advancing land conservation through direct engagement with the land trust movement, with a focus on impact, integrity, and inclusivity.

    • Values-driven impact

      The recipient embodies the principles that defined Kingsbury Browne’s legacy:

      • Innovation: Pioneers new models, tools or strategies that are transferable and scalable and push the boundaries of land protection and stewardship.

      • Collaboration: Builds dynamic partnerships across sectors, communities and generations to amplify conservation outcomes.

      • Generous Spirit: Shares knowledge, mentors professional and volunteer leaders and fosters a culture of openness and learning.

    • Movement builder

      Creates ripple effects that extend beyond individual projects or organizations — sharing ideas that help the land trust movement evolve, diversify and thrive.

    • Intergenerational engagement

      Actively supports and uplifts the next generation of conservationists, recognizing that leadership is a shared, evolving journey.

    • Universal excellence

      Open to individuals at any career stage — from rising stars to seasoned leaders — who demonstrate bold vision, collaborative spirit and tangible impact.

    The Lincoln Institute’s Kingsbury Browne Distinguished Practitioner Program

    formerly known as the Kingsbury Browne Fellowship

    Awardees will be invited by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy to develop a project that shares their insights and experience with the broader conservation community. The Alliance supports dissemination of this work to spark dialogue, learning and innovation across the field.

    Recognition

    The recipient is honored annually at Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference — a celebration of leadership, community and the future of land conservation.

    Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award suggested nomination detail

    • Purpose

      • What the award honors: Exceptional leaders who energize the land conservation field by protecting land, mentoring others, innovating practice and building collaborative, cross sector partnerships.

      • Why it matters: Recognizes movement level impact, intergenerational leadership and transferable knowledge that accelerates the land trust movement.

    • Who may be nominated

      • Eligibility: Any individual at any career stage whose work demonstrates the award values and movement scale impact.

      • Encouraged nominees: Dynamic and collaborative leaders, community organizers, cross sector conveners, and those who document and share replicable approaches.

    Award recipients

    Every year the recipient of this prestigious award is celebrated during the Welcoming Dinner at Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference, with a short video featuring the individual's conservation impact.

    Steve Rosenberg
    2025
    https://youtu.be/wckyONoaoJc?si=0fu_12IM_I6vlK_e
    Mavis Gragg
    2024
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRmwAKeop88
    Laura Johnson
    2023
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_YndrBPKDs
    Ebonie Alexander
    2022
    https://youtu.be/-kUjJoduBic

    Dr. Mark Anderson
    2021
    https://youtu.be/X8u8Sr2ZY5E
    Fernando Lloveras San Miguel
    2020
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsafAX2Am5M
    Jane Difley
    2019
    https://youtu.be/PEhKkb2J6NM
    Michael Whitfield
    2018
    https://youtu.be/ug15U5JLzg4

    Will Rogers
    2017
    https://youtu.be/d_6M3LRiW8I
    David Hartwell
    2016
    https://youtu.be/OYKf1-KdXes
    Steve Small
    2015
    https://youtu.be/Ge9yu6No-o0

    Previous Recipients

    2014: Jean Hocker

    2013: Larry Kueter

    2012: Peter Stein

    2011: Audrey Rust

    2010: Jay Espy

    2009: Jamie Williams

    2008: Laurie Wayburn

    2007: Mark Ackelson

    2006: Darby Bradley

    About Kingsbury Browne

    Kingsbury Browne (1922-2005) was one of the founding fathers of the Land Trust Alliance — his wisdom and counsel formed the bedrock of today’s Alliance and the land trust community. In 1980, as a Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Browne first envisioned a national network of land trusts and persuaded the Institute to convene the first-ever gathering of land trust leaders from coast to coast. From that beginning, the Land Trust Alliance was founded in 1982 to lead the growing movement. His wisdom, wit and patient guidance inspired a generation of land conservationists. Now his values and generous spirit live on in the Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award, including the one-year fellowship at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy for writing, research and teaching on a subject related to land conservation.