Wendy Ninteman Hired as Alliance Western Director
Executive Director of Montana Land Trust to Lead Alliance Efforts in the West

Sept. 13, 2007 – The Land Trust Alliance,  today announced the selection of Wendy Ninteman, executive director of the Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula, Montana as its new Western Director.  The Alliance, established in 1982, is a national conservation organization that works with the nation’s 1700 land trusts to save the places people love by strengthening land trusts and serving as their advocate for federal policies that encourage private conservation. Ninteman will lead the Alliance’s efforts in the West to build the capacity of land trusts to conserve more land. 

With more than 20 years combined experience in land conservation, nonprofit management and public relations, “Wendy has the perfect level of wisdom, experience, and Western perspective that we need to develop and deliver programs that meet the unique needs of the West,” said Rand Wentworth, president of the Land Trust Alliance.  A national survey released by the Alliance showed the West to be the fastest growing region of the country in terms of both private lands conserved and the number of operating land trusts.  “Western land trusts are already leading the nation, both in terms of growth and conservation initiatives,” said Wentworth, “and the creation of this new position reflects our commitment to helping them succeed.”

Since joining the Five Valleys Land Trust (FVLT) in 1998 as its executive director, Ninteman has led the growth and development of the organization from a fledgling community organization into a highly respected and often-emulated regional land trust.  Ninteman cites 2006 as a watershed year for conservation when the land trust successfully led the effort for passage of a $10,000,000 open space bond measure in Missoula County, while also conserving more land in one year than in any other year in its 18-year history.

Other successes include  working with local partners to conserve Alberton Gorge in 2004 and Mount Sentinel in 2003, both of which were important to their communities for their  wildlife habitat, scenic views, and recreation values.  Ninteman also launched a successful stewardship program to ensure that protected land stays protected from encroachment or damaging activities.

During her tenure Ninteman played a leading role in regional and national land conservation.  She was a founding member of the Heart of the Rockies Initiative, a consortium of twenty-two land trusts from Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Canada created to share information and expertise, improve funding and increase capacity to conserve the great landscapes of the Northern Rockies.  She was also a founder of the Montana Association of Land Trusts (MALT).  MALT was formed in response to the growing demand for professional accountability and uniform standards and practices among land trusts.  Ninteman also served on the Alliance’s national team to revise and update Standards and Practices, the definitive guidelines for ethical and successful operation of private land conservation groups. 

An award-winning journalist, Ninteman previously worked as the assistant news director for KFUM Public Radio at the University of Montana at Missoula, as a news anchor/reporter/ producer for KECI-TV in Missoula and as co-owner and manager of public relations for Shannon Environmental Services, Inc. 

Ninteman will guide the development and delivery of conservation programs and services to Western land trusts.  These core services include organizational assessments and technical assistance trainings on a range of topics including strategic conservation, board governance and policy advocacy. , Ninteman will be part of the national team that develops a program to help prepare land trusts for accreditation.   Ninteman said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Land Trust Alliance at such a critical time for land trusts and for conservation in the West.  My career and heart is with Western lands, so it will be an honor to work with so many great conservation groups and community leaders here.”

Alliance president Wentworth attributed the success of conservation in the West to the commitment of community leaders, ranchers and farmers, land trusts and others to conserve the quality of life where they live—preserving clean air, clean water, local food and recreational opportunities for their residents.  “Ultimately, it is partnerships that will produce lasting conservation results.”  Wentworth said.  “I cannot imagine a better person than Wendy for forging new partnerships to ensure permanent conservation.  We are thrilled to have Wendy leading our efforts in the West.”  

(posted 9/13/07)