Catalyzing new and more inclusive approaches to natural infrastructure investments to meet the needs of historically underserved communities across the Puget Sound.
- Convening – across multiple sectors, geographies, and disciplines to better align and prioritize equitable and just allocation of conservation resources.
- Creating – information, resources, tools, and processes to catalyze a truly multicultural coalition grounded in equity.
- Facilitating – new approaches to how traditional conservation organizations engage with community-based organizations to address capacity gaps and other barriers in achieving more equitable natural infrastructure investment outcomes.
Tracy Stanton
Executive Director
Tracy brings 20+ years of experience in environmental policy, program development and conservation finance strategies to catalyze effective and equitable conservation policy, strategies, and innovative funding opportunities across Puget Sound. Her inspiration traces back to growing up in rural Ohio where she spent time outdoors enveloped by the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Living in the Pacific Northwest since 2009, it’s the people, landscapes and communities across Puget Sound that inspire her work to ensure future generations have access to what makes this place so unique.
Contact: Tracy@emeraldalliancenw.org
Contact:
Zan McPherson
Communications Consultant
Zan’s local involvement in sustainability organizations and initiatives – from conservation to green building to waste management – makes her a valuable asset to the Emerald Alliance team. Zan focuses on building operational and communications infrastructure to strengthen and sustain the Alliance network. Primary projects include implementing a contact management system, redesigning website content, managing monthly e-newsletters, and curating social media content. Zan also supports research and planning initiatives that help the Alliance facilitate equitable investments in regional open spaces.
Dr. Sean M. Watts
DEI Advisor
Sean is the owner of SM Watts Consulting – empowering communities to drive environmental and land use policy and helping historically white-led organizations move from awareness to action to create an equitable and inclusive environmental movement. Sean is also founder of the Community Land Conservancy, a founding member of the Council on Community-Centric Fundraising and the University of Washington’s Nature and Health Working Group.

Advisory Committee
Dale Blahna
Social Science Researcher
US Forest Service
Addie Candib
PNW Regional Director
American Farmland Trust
Aaron Clark
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Stewardship Partnerships
Hannah Clark
Vice Chair and Board Affairs Chair
Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition
Kitty Craig
WA State Deputy Director
The Wilderness Society
Victoria Garcia Tamayo
Principal
Contacto: People/Place/Belonging
Erika Harris
Senior Planner
Puget Sound Regional Council
Scott Miller
Principal
Scott Miller Strategies
Michael Murphy
Program Supervisor
King County, DNRP
John Owen
Kristen Ragain
Managing Director, Cooperative Action Fund
REI
Cary Simmons
Program Director, People and Parks
Trust for Public Lands
Kathleen Wolf
Research Social Scientist, University of Washington, College of the Environment
School of Environmental and Forest Sciences
Funder Acknowledgement
The EA leadership is grateful to have seed funding and support to build and launch this important new collaborative effort in central Puget Sound. We acknowledge the core financial support of the Bullitt Foundation and other funders (present and past): The Boeing Corporation, The Russell Family Foundation, Satterberg Foundation, The Network for Landscape Conservation, The Charlotte Martin Foundation, The Wilderness Society and The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
