We’re excited to announce that Kenneth Lingerfelt, the Coastal Land Trust’s GIS Specialist and Land Stewardship Associate, has been selected as the new Director of Land Protection. Kenneth’s knowledge of landscape scale issues of the NC coastal plain, his understanding of the opportunities and threats to land conservation in the region, and his known qualities of teamwork, integrity, leadership, and diligence made him the top choice to fill this critical position.
Since January 2022, Kenneth has worked closely with NCCLT’s long-time, highly respected outgoing Director of Land Protection, Janice Allen, helping prepare land protection plans and grant proposals. Allen now assumes the Senior Advisor for Land Protection role and will continue with the Coastal Land Trust at least through the end of 2024. This extended transitory period provides time for Allen to share more of the knowledge and wisdom gained over her 26-year career at the Coastal Land Trust, providing assurance the organization’s on-going land protection work will continue unabated.
Kenneth grew up exploring many of the wild spaces that North Carolina has to offer, from high elevation streams in the mountain region to the beaches and estuaries of the coastal plain. Those early moments of exploration were the foundation that would lead to a career dedicated to conservation. Prior to joining the Coastal Land Trust, Kenneth gained experience at several conservation organizations including Trout Unlimited, the National Park Service, and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). During his time with the NCWRC, he was recognized as NCWRC Technician of the Year in 2018 for his work leading a field research team assessing the health of major cold-water drainages in western North Carolina. Kenneth grew up in Asheville, attended UNCA where he competed for the university’s D1 soccer program, and received his B.S. degree in Ecology and Field Biology in 2014.
Allen expressed 100% confidence in Kenneth assuming the land protection leadership role. In recommending him for the position, Allen said, “Kenneth has impressed everyone on staff with his knowledge, drive, and passion for land conservation. I have full confidence in Kenneth’s ability to excel as the new Director of Land Protection and look forward to working with him during this transition.” Kenneth’s current manager, Jesica Blake fully endorsed the selection saying “Everything Kenneth has done over the past two years has been done extraordinarily well. He has the intelligence, drive and interpersonal skills to take on this leadership role.” Harrison Marks, Executive Director for NCCLT, expressed his excitement over him stepping up as the Director of Land Protection, “Kenneth is thoughtful and creative, organized and efficient, and a pleasure to work with daily. I am thrilled we were fortunate enough to have Kenneth already a part of our staff.”
Congratulations to Kenneth and welcome to this new role!
