WildEarth Guardians Fills Vital Leadership Position From Within

Legal Director Becomes Conservation Director

Additional contact:

Sarah McMillan, WildEarth Guardians, smcmillan@wildearthguardians.org, 406.549.3895


Santa Fe, NM — Sarah McMillan, the organization’s long-time Legal Director, will be the group’s first Conservation Director. McMillan currently directs the organization’s state and federal legal advocacy in which she is responsible for litigating and overseeing a broad and diverse portfolio of environmental cases as well as managing other litigating attorneys.

A Montana native, McMillan grew up in Missoula and received her J.D. from the University of Montana in 2000 after graduating from Williams College. After receiving her law degree, McMillan litigated public interest environmental cases in private practice and as a staff attorney at Western Environmental Law Center.

McMillan becomes the group’s Conservation Director at a critical juncture for the organization as well as the nation, with our public lands, wildlife and global climate in the balance. The group has grown significantly in recent years to protect the West’s iconic wildlife and wild lands and to respond to the climate crisis, all of which are under siege by Trump Administration decisions and policies.

“It’s an exciting time for Guardians and I know that Sarah’s intellect, legal acumen,   innovative spirit, deep connection to the west, and defiant humor will enable her and the organization to succeed in these trying times,” John Horning, WildEarth Guardians’ Executive Director. “I look forward to having Sarah as a strategic partner in guiding Guardians toward even greater impact in our work.”

McMillan will manage and oversee a staff of 20 advocates with expertise in environmental law, conservation science, and community organizing. In the last several years, Guardians’ budget has doubled-from $2 million to more the $4 million-and McMillan will be instrumental in continuing to grow Guardians’ programs and staff in the coming years.

McMillan’s official move to the Conservation Director position likely won’t occur until this fall when the organization fills the Legal Director position she will vacate. The organization is conducting a national search to attract a Legal Director capable of leading and growing the organization’s robust legal advocacy.


 

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