MNA Proud to Welcome Garret M. Johnson as New Executive Director
2011-08-01

Garret comes to MNA with more than 10 years of experience in conservation and land protection, most notably with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Michigan chapter where he was the assistant state director. He also has experience with The Economic Alliance for Michigan and the Michigan House of Representatives.

"I'm delighted to be joining the Michigan Nature Association, and excited about tackling the challenges ahead," Garret says. "MNA has a very talented team and a storied history, and I look forward to helping build on MNA's clear track record of success."

MNA has a long history of protecting special natural areas throughout Michigan for the people of Michigan to enjoy and I would like to see that message promoted more, he says.

MNA conducted a national search for the new executive director position and received applications from nine states. The search committee reviewed a large number of excellent applications, but chose Johnson based on his excellent credentials and enthusiastic references.

"We are very excited to have Garret join the MNA team," says Steve Kelley, MNA president and chair of the search committee. "He is recognized as a leader and innovator within the land trust community."

As executive director, Garret will focus on development, outreach and communications for the organization and regularly interact with an engaged board of trustees, partners and volunteers responsible for an annual operating budget of approximately $800,000.

As a part of his considerable experience, he has played key roles in land transactions and forest certification projects protecting more than 4.3 million acres of land. He was a co-architect of the largest land protection deal in Michigan history, TNC’s northern Great Lakes forest project protecting more than 271,000 acres across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He also supervised the stewardship and land management program for TNC’s nature preserves in Michigan, and his accomplishments include initiating reforms to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the stewardship program through adoption of performance metrics, annual reporting, and greater financial accountability. He was also instrumental in the success of TNC’s $82 million “Campaign for Conservation” in Michigan, directing the campaign’s marketing and communications activities as well as spearheading efforts to successfully secure more than $30 million in public funding.

Among other honors and appointments, in 2005 Garret was a co-recipient of The Nature Conservancy’s global Conservation Achievement Award. He was named a Fellow in and completed The Nature Conservancy’s prestigious two-year John C. Sawhill Leadership Development Program. And he was twice appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Forest Finance Authority.

Garret earned two Bachelor of Science degrees from Michigan State University, in astrophysics in 1987 and mathematics in 1991. He currently lives in East Lansing with his wife and son. He may be contacted directly through the MNA office, gjohnson@michigannature.org or (517) 655-5655.

Members and partners are invited to meet the new executive director at MNA's annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition Dinner October 28 at the Lexington Lansing Hotel. For more information, watch the website for upcoming events or contact the office.

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