Conservation Lands Foundation Welcomes Three New Board Members With Deep Roots in Conservation, Climate Policy, and Equity

Durango, CO — Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF), a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting America’s National Conservation Lands, is pleased to announce the addition of three distinguished new members to its Board of Directors: Laura Daniel Davis, Dr. Natalie Dawson, and Tarn Udall. These leaders bring decades of experience in public policy, conservation science, environmental law, and community advocacy to further CLF’s mission to safeguard public lands for future generations.

“These remarkable women bring not only deep expertise, but also visionary leadership grounded in community, science, and justice,” said Chris Hill, CEO of the Conservation Lands Foundation. “Laura, Natalie, and Tarn have each shaped the future of public lands in powerful ways, and we are honored to welcome them to our board. Their presence will strengthen our ability to meet the moment—advancing conservation, equity, and climate resilience on America’s most treasured lands.”

Laura Daniel Davis joins the CLF board following a career spanning more than 30 years in public lands policy and environmental stewardship. Most recently, she served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Biden Administration, where she helped lead efforts to conserve public lands, designate national monuments, and align land and water use with national climate goals.

Davis also served as Chief of Staff to Interior Secretaries Ken Salazar and Sally Jewell during the Obama Administration, and held multiple senior roles in the Clinton Administration. She played a critical role in strengthening the federal government’s relationship with Tribal nations and in overseeing landmark conservation efforts.

Prior to her most recent Interior role, Davis was Chief of Policy and Advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation and led Interior appointments for the Biden-Harris transition team. A graduate of Wake Forest University, she resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her family.

Natalie Dawson, PhD is a wildlife biologist and educator with over two decades of experience in building community-led conservation programs rooted in science, storytelling, and Indigenous knowledge. She previously served as Executive Director of Audubon Alaska and a Vice President at the National Audubon Society, where she led regional strategies to protect critical bird habitat and Arctic ecosystems. Dawson also taught at the University of Montana and built global and national environmental training initiatives for protected area managers with support from the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, and State.

Whether as a biologist on the Tongass National Forest or a fellow in Washington, DC, Dawson has remained committed to place-based conservation rooted in equity and partnership. She lives in the Chilkat Valley of Southeast Alaska, home to the Jilkaat Kwaan and Jilkoot Kwaan.

Tarn Udall, a Senior Attorney with Western Resource Advocates (WRA), has a background in environmental law, land use policy, and community engagement. At WRA, she works to protect Western lands from development, restore wildlife habitat, and secure equitable access to outdoor spaces.

Raised on the Western Slope of Colorado, Udall’s deep connection to the region has fueled her commitment to environmental justice and intergenerational conservation. Her legal career has included work in both the public and private sectors, including time as legal counsel in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

With degrees from Colorado College and the University of Colorado Law School, Udall’s community service includes board leadership with the Colorado Outward Bound School and the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. Prior to law school, she instructed for Outward Bound, leading extended wilderness courses for teenagers and adults on Utah’s rivers and in its mountains and canyons. She resides in Carbondale, Colorado, with her husband, two children, and their beloved dog, and enjoys outdoor adventures and writing.

As public lands face unprecedented challenges, Conservation Lands Foundation is doubling down on efforts to protect the legacy of America’s public lands. The addition of Davis, Dawson, and Udall marks a significant step in strengthening the organization’s leadership and impact.