California Tahoe Conservancy names Jane Freeman as acting executive director

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the California Tahoe Conservancy Executive Director Patrick Wright was named interim director of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Forest Management Task Force, his temporary replacement needed to be found.

The agency's Board of Directors didn't have to look too far and selected the Deputy Director Jane Freeman and their interim executive director for the next six to nine months.

“We are thrilled that Jane has agreed to lead the Conservancy during this challenging time,” said Conservancy Board Chair and El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel. “She brings a wealth of talent and experience to the position.”

The appointment of Wright follows Task Force Director Jennifer Montgomery’s decision to serve during this period with California Connected, the State’s new contact-tracing program and public awareness campaign to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Jane has served as the Conservancy’s deputy director for five years. She previously held positions as the USDA Forest Service liaison to the State of Nevada and as the special legislation program manager for the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office. Jane also served as interagency policy specialist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, held a number of leadership positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including Lake Tahoe Basin coordinator, and was a legislative assistant with the National Association of State Foresters. Jane holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of the Environment.

Jane will oversee management of the Conservancy’s more than 4,700 properties and a broad range of conservation, forest health, recreation, and sustainable development programs and projects. The Conservancy recently broke ground on an $11.5 million project to restore the Upper Truckee River Marsh, the largest restoration project in Tahoe’s history.