BOSTON, Mass. – Heather Clish, a longtime conservation and outdoor recreation advocate, has been named director of policy for The Trustees of Reservations, Massachusetts’ largest and the nation’s first nonprofit land conservation and preservation organization. Clish starts at The Trustees on March 16.
At The Trustees, Clish will lead the development and implementation of advocacy and policy strategies that align with the organization’s five-year strategic plan, with a focus on conservation, climate resilience, agriculture, and public access.
“Policy is one of the fastest ways to scale conservation. We’re thrilled to welcome Heather Clish—a proven advocate and coalition‑builder—to lead The Trustees’ policy work and help deliver solutions for nature and people,” said The Trustees’ Chief Conservation and Climate Officer Noah Matson.
Clish comes to The Trustees from the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, where she has led its advocacy program, collaborating with 86 member groups for the protection and restoration of rivers across the Commonwealth. Prior to Mass Rivers, she served as vice president for conservation and recreation at the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), coordinating and guiding AMC’s conservation policy, advocacy, and trail planning programs across New England and Mid-Atlantic states. She led a team for federal and state policy efforts from Maine to Pennsylvania at AMC and implemented its work throughout Massachusetts.
A seasoned conservation leader, Clish has over 25 years of experience in government affairs, recreation planning and management, community involvement and conflict resolution, and natural resources protection. She has extensive experience in policy analysis, strategy, advocacy, and organizing in Massachusetts on issues related to land conservation, outdoor recreation, climate change, river protection, and the coastal environment.
“I’m honored to join The Trustees and look forward to working with its talented team and partners for conservation, climate resilience, and public connection to special places across Massachusetts,” said Clish.
Skilled at leading coalitions and convening diverse interests to develop practical solutions to challenging issues, Clish has a master’s degree in environmental policy from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree in humanistic studies/political science from McGill University.
Clish lives in Reading with her husband and two sons. She can often be found hiking, skiing, or kayaking and loves swapping recommendations on places to explore around Massachusetts.
About The Trustees
The Trustees is Massachusetts’ largest—and the nation’s first—land conservation and preservation nonprofit. Today, through the support of Members, donors, and partners, The Trustees helps conserve nearly 52,000 acres and welcomes the public to more than 120 inspiring locations across the state to experience landscapes where nature, wildlife, and people all thrive.
