MICHELLE LY
Summary
Experienced in fire management, stewardship and public outreach. Successfully leads the conservation easement program, supports the local TNC office with managing over 40,000 acres and organizes the impactful Fire in the Pines Festival. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders while driving conservation initiatives and enhancing public awareness.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Conservation Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
Wilmington, NC
01.2019 - Current
- Led Southeast Coastal Plain Office’s Conservation Easement program. Monitored fee simple, TNC, and NC Land & Water Management easements across over 40,000 acres. Collaborated with landowners, stewardship staff, and legal team to produce reports and resolve violations. Supported protection staff in closing land acquisitions and finalizing BDRs and easements.
- Participated in controlled burns on TNC and partner lands with leadership roles on the fireline. Responsibilities include onboarding fire crews throughout winter and summer seasons, managing burn data and managing resources. Experience with holding, mop-up, ignition operations, small pumps and other fire operations.
- Organized annual Fire in the Pines Festival to raise awareness around controlled burning, attracting over 1,800 attendees each year. Secured funding, marketed event, expanded education into local schools, and collaborated with partners and stakeholders to promote shared conservation initiatives.
- Assisted program staff with administrative tasks, research, and project management to support protection and conservation goals.
Sierra District Fire Management Crew
California State Parks
Tahoma, CA
04.2018 - 12.2018
- Thinned forests to mitigate fire risk across Sierra Nevada District through tree felling, bucking, brush cutting, chipping, burn pile construction, hazardous tree identification, and campground maintenance.
- Performed routine maintenance on chainsaws, blowers, state vehicles, and other equipment to ensure operational readiness.
- Requires working outdoors in inclement weather conditions, smoky conditions related to prescribed burns and pile burning, hiking over uneven and steep terrain and carrying heavy equipment.
Verde Valley Chainsaw Crew
Arizona Conservation Corps
Flagstaff, AZ
09.2017 - 03.2018
- Removed invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses to enhance native riparian vegetation restoration efforts along the Verde River.
- Collaborated with team in physically demanding conditions, managing heavy equipment and performing tasks such as lifting, swamping slash, and operating hand and power tools.
- Ability to live and work in physically demanding, sometimes remote environments for long periods of time in variable weather conditions. Work locations varied from federal, state, and public lands as well as private ownership.
- Collected data on stems cut, weather conditions, humidity, temperature, treated acreage, and herbicide usage to support project monitoring and evaluation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of North Carolina
Wilmington01-2015
Skills
- Conservation easements
- GIS platforms
- Project management
- Event coordination
- Website development
- Design marketing
- Public speaking
Certification
• First-Aid, CPR
• FAA Part 107 Certification
• NSC Defensive Driving Course
• ATV Safe Rider Course
• Firefighter Type 2
• Firefighter Type 1
• S-212 FAL3
• S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-211 Pumps
• FAA Part 107 Certification
• NSC Defensive Driving Course
• ATV Safe Rider Course
• Firefighter Type 2
• Firefighter Type 1
• S-212 FAL3
• S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-211 Pumps
References
- Angie Carl, Western Forests Program Director, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, 910-409-2969
- Jesica Blake, Associate Director, NC Coastal Land Trust, 910-612-1993
- Zach West, Southeast Coastal Plain Land Steward, The Nature Conservancy, 952-454-2196
Volunteer Experience
Cape Fear Arch Conservation Collaboration, Committee Chair, 01/19, Present
Timeline
Conservation Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
01.2019 - Current
Sierra District Fire Management Crew
California State Parks
04.2018 - 12.2018
Verde Valley Chainsaw Crew
Arizona Conservation Corps
09.2017 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of North Carolina