NMLC Staff – New Mexico Land Conservancy

Jonathan spent his formative years exploring creeks, forests, and marshes in the same corner of the Midwest that gave rise to icons like Aldo Leopold, John Muir, and Georgia O’Keeffe. It’s no wonder that Jonathan also found his way West—trading the woods of Wisconsin for the high deserts of the rocky mountains over a decade ago. Jonathan has spent the majority of his career conserving the land and natural heritage that make New Mexico such a captivating place. He was instrumental in establishing the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund in 2022, working with advocates from across the political spectrum to create the state’s first-ever dedicated source of conservation funding. Jonathan has worked with ranchers, conservationists, and all levels of government to protect land from haphazard development, and he finds no greater joy than in preserving the integrity of New Mexico’s working lands and complex ecosystems so that future generations can continue to experience the Land of Enchantment. Jonathan holds a law degree and master’s of urban and regional planning from the University of Colorado, and a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. Jonathan is based in Santa Fe, but is more often found exploring the wildest reaches of our beautiful state.

Travis Clarke, Marketing and Development Manager

tclarke@nmlandconservancy.org

Travis has earned an MBA from California College of the Arts where he researched marketing and development strategies for conservation advocacy. At MRM (McCann Relationship Marketing) and Table Strategy, Travis has previously developed marketing strategies for Fortune 500 clients, an outdoor industry retailer, and local government agencies advocating for the success of residents through outdoor access. Travis believes that diversity, such as the diverse network of landowners New Mexico Land Conservancy collaborates with, is an organization’s greatest strength. The ability to see conservation issues through multiple perspectives allows an organization to create a strong coalition of conservation allies and tackle challenges with insights from diverse stakeholders.

Chantell Bustillos, Stewardship Director

cbustillos@nmlandconservancy.org

Chantell Bustillos is from the Pueblo of Acoma, where she was raised with a deep understanding that caring for the land is both a responsibility and a way of life. As a Pueblo woman, she carries a strong connection to New Mexico’s landscapes, waterways, wildlife, and cultural traditions, inspiring a lifelong commitment to conservation and stewardship. Chantell’s career has focused on protecting the lands and resources that sustain both people and wildlife. Her experience includes federal service as a Cartographer and Wildland Firefighter. At the New Mexico Land Conservancy, she leads conservation easement stewardship efforts, working closely with landowners and partners to ensure protected lands continue to reflect the conservation goals for which they were conserved. Chantell holds a Master of Community and Regional Planning with a concentration in Natural Resources and Environmental Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of New Mexico, as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources Management from the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. She is based in Albuquerque and enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with family.

Ryan Bailey, Stewardship and Engagement Associate

rbailey@nmlandconservancy.org

Ryan grew up exploring the forests and waterways of the Ozarks and Ouachitas in Arkansas before moving to the high desert of New Mexico. Since moving West, he has dedicated himself to understanding and protecting the varied ecosystems of the Southwest. Ryan used his B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Arkansas Tech University as a foundation for his work with native plants and land monitoring. This includes conducting field surveys for rare and endangered species, and managing mapping data for large scale conservation projects. Ryan greatly appreciates the opportunity to experience all the Land of Enchantment has to offer. Now living in the community of Talpa, he spends much of his time outdoors identifying native species, and encouraging conservation efforts within his community. On the weekends, you can find him exploring the mountains with his dog.