MONTHLY SPEAKERS
MONTHLY SPEAKERS
NOVEMBER 2024 - "CONSERVING VENTURA'S CRITICAL WILDLIFE HABITAT WITH TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND"
Speaker: Alexander William Size and Adam Hirsch
Date: November 12, 2024
Program Description: Trust for Public Land (TPL) is grateful for the opportunity to present our ongoing land conservation efforts in Ventura County, with a focus on the unique ecosystems shaped by the Transverse Range. Our work includes the protection of significant properties like Rancho Cañada Larga, Sexton Canyon, and Crooked Palm, which are crucial to preserving the region’s biodiversity and natural landscapes. In the face of accelerating land loss—6,000 acres disappearing daily to development—it’s more urgent than ever to safeguard these spaces. Through strategic conservation, we’re ensuring vital wildlife corridors, enhancing community access to nature, and protecting key areas from climate risk. We look forward to sharing more with the Ventura community on November 12th!
​​
Trust for Public Land’s Lands Initiative work is dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s most treasured landscapes, ensuring they remain accessible and preserved for future generations. Through strategic land acquisitions, conservation easements, and partnerships with local communities, TPL’s Land Protect team works tirelessly to secure iconic natural spaces and cultural sites. The initiative plays a crucial role in enhancing climate resiliency, protecting vital watersheds, mitigating the risks of wildfires, maintaining wildlife corridors that are essential for biodiversity, and connecting communities to the outdoors. By focusing on both immediate protection and long-term stewardship, TPL ensures that these vital lands continue to provide environmental, recreational, and economic benefits, reinforcing the commitment to creating healthier, more sustainable communities across the country.
.jpg)
Speaker Bio: Upon graduating from Oxford College of Emory University in 2000 and Emory University in 2003 with a B.A in Environmental Studies, Alex moved to southwest Florida and was hired by Trust for Public Land (TPL) to support the team’s conservation efforts in Sarasota County. After completing several land conservation projects in southwest and central Florida, Alex transferred to Trust for Public Land’s San Francisco headquarters in 2011.
Alex has protected over 35,000 acres through twenty-six conservation transactions in Southwest Florida, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, as well the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, lower Colorado River, Coachella Valley and Mojave Desert. He currently directs TPL’s land conservation efforts as the Southern California Land Conservation Director, overseeing a team of three Project Managers, as well as a Wyss Foundation-supported fellow.
Alex is an avid cyclist, mountain biker, runner and hiker, and spends his remaining time baking Neapolitan-style pizzas and practicing piano, organ and guitar. He lives in Oakland, California with his partner, Becky, and beloved pup, Gracie.
.jpg)
Speaker Bio: Adam Hirsch is the Director of Philanthropy for Southern California at Trust for Public Land (TPL), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s land protection initiatives and expanding its parks and schoolyards portfolio across the region. With a diverse background in business development, social enterprise, community engagement, and fundraising, Adam is deeply committed to fostering inclusive communities and preserving green spaces nationwide. His values resonate strongly with TPL's mission to create healthy, livable environments for future generations.
Adam holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in Public Service Management from DePaul University. He brings a multifaceted skill set to his role at TPL, aiming to amplify the organization’s impact on local communities through strategic fundraising and program development. Based in Los Angeles, Adam’s personal life mirrors his professional passions, as he and his family regularly explore California’s National and State Parks and engages in a wide array of outdoor and cultural activities.