Logan’s connection to conservation began with a lifelong love of the outdoors. Growing up in the North Country, many of his favorite memories involve time spent on the Indian River lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and in the Adirondacks with the people he loves.
“There is something about being outdoors that brings out the whimsy in people,” Logan says. “I realized that I am happiest and most fulfilled while out in nature, so why not pursue a career that allows me to do that every day?”
That passion led Logan to pursue a degree in Environmental Science with a focus in Biology at St. Lawrence University. Through his studies, he has developed a deeper understanding of the natural systems he has always cared about and the importance of protecting them. His coursework, along with hands-on experiences like his internship with Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, has helped shape his interest in pursuing a career in conservation.
When he began his internship, Logan had only a basic understanding of what a land trust did. His experience has given him a much deeper appreciation for the work and dedication that goes into protecting land for the long term.
“While all environmentalists believe that land protection is vital to conservation, I think that very few environmentalists truly understand just how much paperwork, monitoring, and upkeep it takes to run a land trust,” Logan says.
Through his time with the Land Trust, Logan has seen firsthand how many pieces come together to protect land. From observing the creation and maintenance of conservation easements to learning about the ongoing monitoring and stewardship that follows, he has gained a new perspective on what conservation looks like in practice.
“Oftentimes in conservation you see the success stories celebrated, but you never see the massive amount of work and dedication it takes to achieve those successes,” he says. “This opportunity has shown how rewarding land protection can be.”
For Logan, that work is about more than protecting acres. It is about ensuring that forests, farms, wetlands, and other natural places remain part of our communities and available for future generations.
His own experiences in nature have shown him how important those places can be. “In times of mental and emotional struggle throughout my life, being in nature has never failed to humble me and put everything into perspective,” he says. “The lack of distraction allows for thoughts to flow more organically and gives me the space to think about my life from a wider perspective.”
As rural areas face increasing pressure from development, Logan believes the work of land trusts is more important than ever.
“The work of a land trust is some of the most important within the space of conservation because it means that the land being protected can never be changed or developed again,” he says.
His time with Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust has reinforced his desire to pursue a career in conservation and given him a greater appreciation for the people and long-term commitment behind protecting the places we love.