Announcing Our Interim Executive Director
We’re excited to announce our new Interim Executive Director: Janice Gardner! Gardner has been a Conservation Ecologist at Sageland Collaborative for over five years, leading with both a deep passion for wildlife and a marked ability to achieve large-scale conservation impacts.
Janice doing one of her favorite things, surveying for birds at Great Salt Lake wetlands. This work supports shorebird conservation both locally and across the Pacific Flyway. It comes as no surprise that Janice was awarded 2023 Utah Birder of the Year! Photo by Sierra Hastings.
While Gardner has received awards for her distinguished work in wildlife conservation, been a voice for wildlife on large scales, and led multi-state initiatives, she has often been found with her sleeves rolled up and covered in mud, mosquitos, or snow, working out of her deep love for the wildlife of the West.
“Most people can connect over shared appreciation of wildlife, which is pretty special,” Gardner says. “My own passion for wildlife first sparked watching black-capped chickadees at the nature trails at Mendon Ponds State Park in New York. Whether it’s the joy of catching a fish, seeing a butterfly on a dandelion in the crack of a sidewalk, or encountering wildlife at a National Park, we all feel how wildlife enriches our lives.”
As the newest member of the team, Riverscape Project Manager Jens Ammon says he has already noted Gardner’s ability to lead in a way that truly values wildlife and people, empowering colleagues and volunteers to support conservation in their own unique ways. He says, “Janice brings a personal passion for nature that has inspired all of us to become more aware of the wildlife around us.”
Janice is also a talented wildlife photographer. She has provided photos across our reporting and communications platforms during her entire time with Sageland Collaborative.
The three major projects Gardner has launched with Sageland Collaborative—Riverscape Restoration, the Rosy-Finch Project, and the Intermountain West Migratory Shorebird Survey—have pioneered conservation methods and organized impactful partnerships across the western United States and beyond.
“Each of these projects has included multifaceted leadership, attention to detail, and landscape-scale planning” says Mary Pendergast, a Sageland Collaborative Ecologist since 2014. “As an experienced conservationist and someone who is admired by members of the conservation community, Janice will certainly grow Sageland Collaborative’s ability to effect positive outcomes for wildlife and landscapes.”
Janice on yet another bird survey! Photo by Rose Smith.
From successful establishment and management of these projects to her generous mentorship of those she works with, Gardner is dedicated to wildlife, lands, and communities in the West. “Working with Janice at Sageland Collaborative has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career to date,” says Stream Ecologist and Riverscape Restoration project lead Rose Smith.
“Janice is a collaborative leader,” Smith adds. “She is principled, strategic, and extremely knowledgeable about the issues and opportunities facing wildlife in our region. Her ability to make progress for wildlife conservation is already widely recognized in our community, and I'm proud to be one of her colleagues.”
“I met Janice in 2021, on my first volunteer stream restoration day,” adds Communications and Development Specialist Sierra Hastings, “and since then, I’ve been inspired to see how she navigates Sageland Collaborative’s mission of science in service of wildlife and lands, leaning into both science-driven impact and the care that brings us closer to the species and the lands that we are working to protect.”
Gardner says that being able to devote her career to the wildlife and lands that bring her so much joy is an honor. “But what I love most about Sageland Collaborative,” she says, “is the people! We have an incredible community of volunteers and donors that astonish me every year.” She says she loves learning about why the Sageland community is passionate about wildlife, the adventures they have on our projects, and the memories of family members that first introduced them to wildlife.
“And I’m proud to work with our team,” she adds, “who are deeply passionate, creative thinkers, and dedicated problem solvers.”
With her strategic approach and commitment to collaborate with diverse partners, Gardner has expanded Sageland Collaborative’s community across the West based on a shared appreciation for wildlife. She has contributed greatly to establishing Sageland Collaborative as regional experts in implementing low-tech riverscape restoration, expanded our volunteer network into 11 states, and added dozens of new partners to join us in our work.
“I take great satisfaction in collaborating with our community to find where our missions overlap, learn the strengths of each group, and mapping out pathways to create positive outcomes for our wildlife,” Gardner says. “Building strong teams is my strength, and I look forward to continuing our culture of collaborative conservation across the West.”
Communications and Outreach Director Sarah Woodbury calls Gardner a “science-minded visionary.” She adds, “Anyone who has worked with Janice will agree. With one eye on specific, unanswered conservation questions and another on the continental impacts of our decisions, Janice is the perfect person to take on this role and continue leading our conservation work in the West.”
Our team is thrilled to have Gardner leading us into the coming months. Join us as we move forward into this exciting new chapter!
Janice surveys for shorebirds at a Great Salt Lake wetland. Photo by Sierra Hastings.
Sageland Collaborative’s work for conservation in the West depends on the generosity of volunteers and donors like you. Will you support us as we enter this exciting new chapter?
Article by Sarah Woodbury.