Grant in the Spotlight: Wyss Fellows Program
The Wyss Foundation is excited to announce a $140,000 grant to each of this year’s selected Wyss Fellowship host organizations. The Wyss Fellows Program supports the training and development of future conservation leaders through a two-year fellowship at sponsoring organizations. Fellows gain experience in all aspects of conservation advocacy and attend annual week-long training programs.
Congratulations to the five host organizations and the 2025 cohort of Wyss Fellows!
Wyss Fellow at Blue Ridge Conservancy
Abbey Rankins serves as the Land Protection and Stewardship Fellow for Blue Ridge Conservancy, an organization dedicated to protecting the Blue Ridge Mountains. She will aid in permanently protecting land in the Blue Ridge Mountains by coordinating land acquisition purchases and conservation easements, securing funding, and stewarding conservation lands.
Wyss Fellow at Mojave Desert Land Trust
Connor Phillips serves as the Conservation Strategy and Acquisitions Fellow at Mojave Desert Land Trust, which protects the California desert by conserving land, restoring habitat, and preserving native seeds. He will work to create a strategy and methodology to prioritize land protection efforts across the deserts of California.
Wyss Fellow at New Mexico Wild
Shelby Bazan serves as the Conservation Organizer for New Mexico Wild, a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and restoring New Mexico’s wildlands and wilderness areas. She will support the organization’s state-wide national monument campaigns, coordinate public lands outings, and assist with various organizational needs.
Wyss Fellow at the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Michaela Jones serves as the Public Lands Fellow for the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, which advocates for policies to protect our public lands and waters. She will work to protect public lands and national monuments around the country by educating and mobilizing communities.
Wyss Fellow at Resources Legacy Fund
Teal Lehto serves as the Conservation Campaign Fellow for Resources Legacy Fund, a project focused on securing meaningful and durable land protections. At the Protection Campaign, she will bring her expertise in digital communication to support conservation organizations in strengthening their online advocacy.
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About the Wyss Foundation — The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.