Tom grew up in eastern Oregon and learned to love nature while roaming the desert with his father. He met the love of his life at the University of Oregon and together they moved to Seattle, then to Vashon in 1995. Tom learned to love native plants while organizing habitat restoration projects along the Duwamish River and has been a “tree guy” ever since.

After five years on the Board of the Land Trust, he joined the staff in 2003 – the year his son was born. Tom built partnerships with funders to develop nature preserves at Shinglemill, Island Center Forest, Judd Creek, Dockton Forest, and Frog Holler – to name a few. He currently runs the Conservation Program where he handles the acquisition and donation of properties. Tom says, “Every walk in the woods or along the beach is a chance to restore our relationship to the land.”