Preserving, for public benefit, land on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula with natural, recreational, or cultural values by working with willing landowners.
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Our Staff
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Marie McCartyExecutive Director A Homer resident since 1996, Marie has a B.A. in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic in Maine, a Juris Doctor, and a Masters of Studies of Law degree from Vermont Law School. Marie joined KHLT’s staff in 1997 and worked as the Development Director before becoming Executive Director in June 2008. Marie is member of Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club, loves to travel, hike, explore Kachemak Bay with her husband Steve in their Tolman skiff. |
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Lauren Rusin Conservation Manager Lauren moved from Michigan's Upper Peninsula in January 2017 to continue her environmental career with KHLT. Prior to her Alaskan adventure, Lauren earned an A.S. in Landscape Horticulture and worked in the landscape design field and at a greenhouse and nursery in Michigan. She went on to receive a B.S. in Forestry from Michigan Technological University. While earning her degree, Lauren worked for the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources and an Industrial Timber Company. Upon graduation, she began her career as a consulting forester in Wisconsin and was fortunate to work on projects including real estate, surveying, right-of-way, timber and carbon credit evaluation, and invasive species control in states including Kentucky, New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, and Alaska. Alaska captivated Lauren and she simply had to return! As a new permanent Homer resident, Lauren enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, fishing, camping, and making friends! |
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Joel Cooper Stewardship Director Joel has a long, diverse background in the environmental sector. He spent eight years with Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge monitoring seabird colonies and working on various biological studies, then moved on to Cook Inletkeeper as a Stream Ecologist and ten years as Research Coordinator with a focus on water quality and quantity monitoring throughout the Cook Inlet watershed. He did contract work for several Alaska Native villages, non-profit organizations, and two years on the City of Homer’s Climate Action Plan. Joel has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Southern Illinois University. He served as President of the Kachemak Bay Conservation Society for two years, and four years on the Homer Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and is presently President of Homer Outdoor Wilderness Leaders (HoWL). Joel joined KHLT in March of 2014. He coordinates and conducts the field monitoring and documentation of the land trust's conservation easements and fee-owned conservation properties. He enjoys all outdoor activities, especially hiking and skiing in the backcountry. He is also a passionate long distance runner. |
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Denise Jantz Communications and Development Manager Denise was born and raised in Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's degree in communications at Western Michigan University. Arriving in Alaska for the first time in 1992, she knew she was truly "home." She divided her time between McCarthy summers and Homer winters before settling in Homer year-round in 2010, joining KHLT's team in 2013. In McCarthy, Denise co-founded the small eatery Roadside Potatohead and started Swift Creek Cabins guest accommodations. She has also made her mark in Homer, opening Coal Towne Creamery (now Spit Licks) on the Homer Spit. When not at work at the land trust, she also works part-time for Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge as Reservations Manager. Denise enjoys spending time with her menagerie of critters at her mini-homestead out East End Road, hiking and exploring with her dogs Mouse and BooBoo, visiting her property in McCarthy, and spending time with friends. |
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Courtney DodgeStewardship Coordinator Courtney came to KHLT from Michigan as the 2016/2017 Stewardship Intern and in May of 2017, became our Stewardship Coordinator. Courtney was the first in her family to graduate from college, graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Studies. After getting her degree, she went on to be an Americorp volunteer based in Asheville, North Carolina, doing trail work with the National Parks Service in places like the beautiful Smoky Mountains. "I've been doing volunteer stewardship with many different nature centers and conservation organizations for years now. "I've never been this far west or north before. I'm incredibly grateful to be in Homer!" In her free time, Courtney likes to walk on the beach with her dog, hike, and explore Homer and all that it has to offer. |
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Trish BoyerAccounting and Grants Manager Trish joined KHLT in July of 2017 after moving here from Palmer with her family. For Trish, this is a return trip to the area having lived here from 1995 - 1998. Trish graduated from Kachemak Bay Campus/UAA with Associates of Accounting Degree in 1996. In her free time she likes to berry pick, make jams and jellies, read, and spend time with her family at their cabin at Sheep Mountain. |
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Mallory okulyTemporary Communications and Development Assistant Mallory moved to Alaska in the fall of 2011 and headed to Homer three years later. She was born and raised in New Hampshire and has a B.S. in Animal Behavior and Environmental Studies from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. Prior to arriving in Homer, Mallory explored parts of the east coast as well as Oregon, California, and Alaska while working as a wildlife technician studying bats, frogs, birds, and other critters. She enjoys hiking, skiing, running, camping and all-around outdoor exploration and adventuring with her dog Scout (and her husband!) along with traveling abroad whenever possible! Mallory will be with KHLT through the summer of 2018. |
