Jim Johannsen

Jim oversees The Conservation Fund’s efforts across Illinois to protect the state’s natural, agricultural, and cultural heritage. He works with federal, state, local, Tribal, and nonprofit partners on complex real estate transactions, conservation easements, mitigation, and public policy. As part of the Chicago Metro Farms Fund program, Jim works to protect at-risk farmland from development and provide an affordable pathway to farm ownership for new and beginning farmers in northeast Illinois.

Jim has over 10 years of experience working in nonprofit land conservation. Prior to coming to The Conservation Fund, Jim worked as Director of Land Conservation at Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, a regional land trust in northwest Illinois. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, Illinois’ state land trust association, and the Natural Areas Association. Jim holds a B.A. from Augustana College and an M.P.A. from University of Illinois – Springfield.