Kaola Swanson

Columbia Gorge Program Manager, Working Forest Fund

Kaola joined The Conservation Fund in 2022. As the Columbia Gorge Program Manager, she supports the Working Forest Fund and its management of the 35,000 acre Columbia Gorge Forest. She also works with the Fund’s Conservation Acquisition program for partner-driven conservation efforts in Oregon and Washington. Kaola’s work in forest conservation is focused on building climate and economic resilience, developing managment approaches to meet community and environmental needs. Her previous work as Forest Program Director at Sustainable Northwest centered on community forestry, collaborative process, and policy development.

Kaola has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University. She currently serves on Oregon State University’s Institute for Working Forestlands Advisory Council and Oregon Department of Forestry’s Committee for Family Forestlands. In her spare time, Kaola loves camping and exploring the rivers of the Pacific Northwest with her chosen family, friends and her sweet dog, Early Girl.

Contact:  kswanson@conservationfund.org    Phone: 541-521-0692    Office: Oregon