Kate Burgess

Kate Burgess is NCEL’s Conservation Program Manager, where she leads the organization’s land, water, wildlife, and State/Tribal policy portfolio across all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Her approach to conservation is grounded in principles of equity and justice; she believes the best interventions to the climate and biodiversity crises are relational — led by those most affected — and in service to both present and future generations. 

Central to Kate’s work with States is partnering with and learning from Native-led organizations and Tribal Leaders to improve state lawmakers’ collective understanding of their responsibilities to Tribal Nations as they work to strengthen Government-to-Government relationships and repair historical and ongoing harms.

Kate draws inspiration from environmental leaders such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Ruth Musgrave, JD, h.c., Dr. Mamie Parker, Dr. Dorceta Taylor, Tara Houska, Esq., Former DOI Secretary Deb Haaland, and Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy — who are paragons of compassion, hope, and doggedness.

Outside of the policy arena, Kate teaches emergency wilderness first aid courses for lay rescuers, coaches adaptive surf lessons all over New England, and volunteers weekly as a crisis hotline specialist serving survivors of sexual violence.

Kate holds an M.S. in Global Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University and an interdisciplinary, self-designed B.S. in Outdoor Environmental Education from Plymouth State University.