The Board of Directors of the Southern Conservation Trust announced the appointment of Katie Pace as the new executive director.
Pace assumes the role after most recently serving as the marketing & communications officer with MAP International, a top ranked global Christian health and relief organization.
“Katie was chosen from a strong field of exceptional candidates because of her extensive marketing and fundraising background, as well as a passion for land preservation in our communities. We are confident that she will lead the Southern Conservation Trust in protecting new land and developing environmentally sound programs and initiatives in the many communities we serve,” said Tami Morris, board chairman.
While at MAP, Pace managed programs and processes internationally and saw firsthand how local conditions affected the quality of life for individuals and communities. Her global-local perspective and strong desire to make a difference at home are a good fit for SCT as it begins an anticipated rise in land protection for individual and organizational landowners, said Morris.
Most recently, the organization opened The Ridge, a 307-acre nature preserve in the heart of Fayetteville with more nearly six miles of hiking and biking trails and a 7 1/2-mile water trail that is currently being developed.
“I’m honored to be selected,” said Pace. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the amazing communities where we protect land, wildlife and vital water sources to ensure they are around for many years to come. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation already established in Fayette County and the surrounding areas. My goal is to increase the protection and education of land, wildlife, and water conservation in the Southern Crescent that the Southern Conservation Trust is able to protect in the great state of Georgia.”
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Pace has 10 years of experience in the nonprofit world focused on marketing, branding, digital engagement, fundraising, writing, and humanitarian photography.
Pace succeeds Pam Young, who headed the Southern Conservation Trust for five years and announced her retirement earlier this year.
The Southern Conservation Trust was founded in 1993 by Fayette County residents eager to preserve greenspace in a developing community. For 23 years, the Southern Conservation Trust has protected farms, forests, environmentally sensitive land, wildlife habitats, and scenic greenspace in the Atlanta and south metro areas and is expanding to other parts of Georgia. Currently, the fully accredited trust has 2,400 protected acres – 900 of which are public nature preserves in Fayette County. The Trust expects to add an additional 1,200 acres of easement by year-end.
For more information visit www.sctlandtrust.org.
