Kaola Swanson

Kaola joined The Conservation Fund in 2022. As the Columbia Gorge Program Manager, she supports the Working Forest Fund and its management of the 35,000-acre Columbia Gorge Forest. She also works with the Fund’s Conservation Acquisition program for partner-driven conservation efforts in Oregon and Washington.

Kaola’s work in conservation consistently focuses on finding collaborative solutions to balance environmental, community and climate needs. Prior to joining the Fund, she worked with The Freshwater Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, and Sustainable Northwest. She is experienced in watershed restoration, ecosystem service markets, community forestry, collaborative process and policy development. Kaola has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University. She currently serves on Oregon State University’s Institute for Working Forestlands Advisory Council, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Committee for Family Forestlands and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trust’s Executive Board.

She loves camping and exploring the rivers of the Pacific Northwest with her chosen family, friends and her sweet dog.