National Council member Ticora Jones on collaborating for conservation

Tell us about your passion for the environment.

The Colorado Rockies were outside my window as I was growing up. That proximity to something so magical gave me an early, deep appreciation for the wonder of nature. During my undergrad and my Ph.D., I worked on material science and engineering. I then transitioned to government work in a fellowship program that offered me the opportunity to work internationally.

However, during the early stages of the pandemic, I realized I needed to get outside. I formed a habit of walking, which grounded me at a time that was incredibly tumultuous. This reignited my love for nature and inspired me to become part of the broader environmental movement.

How do you value your connection to WWF?

I was fortunate to have been invited by WWF to become a National Council member, and then I was hired at NRDC. These are two incredible organizations working for our world—not competitors but in this together. Each organization takes a slightly different approach to conservation. NRDC is, at its heart, a legal organization focused on using those levers and science to protect people and planet. I think the more like-minded organizations like WWF and NRDC lean into one another’s respective strengths, the bigger the opportunity for meaningful impact.

What’s in your future?

I love storytelling; it drives the days of my 7-year-old in ways that delight me. I want to continue to bring the perspectives of a wider variety of communities to the challenges that we face, using evidence-based research to inform policy for a cleaner and safer world—while telling stories and shaping our future. And I hope to keep building relationships across the conservation community and inspire the next generation of environmentalists.