Katie supports Regional Conservation Partnerships (RCPs) across the Northeast and eastern New York in their efforts to increase the pace and scale of conservation by way of capacity building, network coordination, and leadership of various landscape-scale initiatives. Katie also serves as the coordinator of the Hudson to Housatonic RCP, aiding partners in collaborative and strategic conservation planning.
As a trained Conservation Biologist, Katie has over 15 years of experience in landscape ecology, environmental outreach, conservation planning, and scientific research. She got her start with RCPs as the Coordinator for the emerging MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership, where she led partners through a strategic planning process and developed an innovative approach to woodland owner outreach. Before joining Highstead, Katie managed urban bird initiatives for Audubon Connecticut, where she led the New Haven Harbor Watershed Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership. Katie has a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College.
Weaving together a love of birds and gardening, Katie enjoys experimenting in the garden and attracting birds to her yard with native plants. She also delights in tending to her homestead and farm animals with her husband Jeremy and daughters Tziporah and Tahlia.
“My passion for community-based collaboration brought me to Highstead and what motivates me is getting to work with incredible partners in navigating complex conservation challenges at a landscape level.”
Email: kblake@highstead.net
