January 2023 – The Yolo Land Trust’s long-term Executive Director, Michele Clark, will step down on January 9, 2023. During her thirteen years as the Executive Director, Clark has transformed the Yolo Land Trust from a grass roots organization into a financially strong and highly respected community organization dedicated to conserving Yolo County farmland. Clark successfully completed 26 conservation easement transactions and increased YLT’s acreage of conserved farmland in Yolo County to 12,837 acres across 76 farms. A proud Yolo County resident, Clark is looking forward to traveling and furthering her passion for art in her retirement.
“Michele’s leadership has been transformative. She brought stability to the Land Trust and has substantially increased our conservation portfolio,” said Mary-Ann Warmerdam, President of the Yolo Land Trust Board of Directors. “Michele has a passion for conserving farmland and has worked tirelessly to establish a structure for the organization to permanently uphold each conservation easement. We wish her the very best in her retirement.”
“I am so proud to have directed the work of the Yolo Land Trust for the last thirteen years. It has been an honor to meet and work with the owners of land under YLT-held easements,” said Michele Clark. “I am privileged to have collaborated with a Board of Directors that has been a strong guiding force and to partner with individuals and organizations involved in Yolo County agriculture. I am grateful to my staff for their dedication and hard work. I have enjoyed our time together during my years here.”
The Yolo Land Trust’s Board of Directors has selected John S. Currey, a long-time conservationist and farmer, to succeed Clark.
