Learning About the Business of Conservation

Paul also enlisted several of The Conservation Fund’s talented staff members to be guest lecturers for the course, including Montana State Director Gary Sullivan for a discussion on conservation along the Rocky Mountain Front and our Minnesota Associate State Director Emilee Nelson for a look at complex land conservation issues. Georgia State Director Stacy Funderburke’s presentation on the Working Farms Fund and the idea of working lands being part of a conservation matrix was a new concept to many students. And in a course highlight, fellow Colorado College alumnus and the Fund’s Colorado State Director Justin Spring did more than just lecture about conservation projects — he took the class on a field trip to experience Fishers Canyon in person.

Two additional guest lecturers with ties to both The Conservation Fund and Colorado College also contributed to the class. Kendall Delyser, another Colorado College alum and a former Stanback Forestry intern for The Conservation Fund, guest lectured about forest conservation and carbon offsets. And Mike Strugar, parent of a Colorado College student and long-time partner of the Fund, educated the class on Colorado’s transferable conservation state tax credit program.

“The students really enjoyed meeting and hearing from the guest lecturers who are actually out there practicing in the field,” remarked Professor Hurt. “Without any prompting or coordination, the presenters all stressed the importance of building support and trust within communities, and maintaining your reputation within those communities and in the industry. I was proud to have that message about integrity and values come across strongly.”

Paul also asked the guest presenters to share a bit about how they personally came to work in conservation. “A few were focused on conservation from the start, or at least from the time they graduated. On the other hand, several speakers (including me) did not have it on our radar as a career path until much later. I think the students found those discussions useful.” He further reflects on teaching this course for the first time and his future plans in his humorous, humble and gracious manner that we’ve come to know so well. “Nobody dropped out or lapsed into a coma, so I’ll take that as a sign it was pretty well received,” he joked. “But seriously, I really did enjoy the students and felt incredibly lucky to be working with them. I hope I can teach this course again or other courses.”

Paul worked his last day as a lawyer for The Conservation Fund in July 2023, after more than 20 years of incredible work. Paul’s legal support enabled the Fund to protect just over 2 million acres of land in 38 states. Among Paul’s most memorable projects are the Royal Blue project in Tennessee, our beloved Sabine Ranch in Texas, and work to protect Reed Plantation in Maine and Brunswick Forest in North Carolina. And as if his real estate transactions didn’t keep him busy enough, Paul also served as counsel for many years to several key programs of the Fund.

The Conservation Fund team congratulates Paul on an incredible career and many accomplishments, in addition to his guidance and friendship. The team wishes him many new adventures playing your ukulele, teaching, fishing and exploring.