Chris Kelly

California State Director

Chris has led the protection of more than 150,000 acres of forest land in Northern California through projects that pioneered the non-profit ownership of working forests, the use of low-interest public financing to achieve ambitious forest conservation, and water quality enhancement.  He has negotiated numerous carbon offset sale contracts with corporations such as the Disney Company, Pacific Gas and Electric and Morgan Stanley. Currently, Chris serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, the nation’s first agricultural land trust. In addition, he is a  frequent presenter at seminars and conferences on matters related to forest conservation and ecosystem services-based project financing.

Prior to joining The Conservation Fund, Chris worked with a number of land conservation organizations on the development and implementation of their land conservation programs, including The Nature Conservancy, Yosemite Fund, Mendocino Land Trust and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. He also practiced business, real estate, and land use law with Cooley, Godward and Bingham McCutchen in San Francisco. 

Chris holds a J.D. from the University of California at Davis, and an A.B. in Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley.

Contact:  ckelly@conservationfund.org   Phone: 415-927-2123   Office: Northern California