Director of Conservation Programs
As the Director of Conservation Programs, Steven Bassett leads TNC New Mexico’s programs in Freshwater, Forests, Lands, and Indigenous Right Relations. Steven has a master’s degree in applied geospatial sciences from Northern Arizona University and has worked at TNC for 13 years. Steven’s current focus is maximizing TNC New Mexico’s contributions to TNC’s 2030 goals and ensuring tangible conservation outcomes that benefit New Mexico’s local communities and biodiversity.
Freshwater Program Director
After graduating with a Master’s of Science in forest ecology from the University of Maine, Martha moved to New Mexico where she worked with the Forest Stewards Guild for five years. After being introduced to the Gila region through work with the Guild, Martha shifted to working with The Nature Conservancy as the SW NM Field Representative. Spending hours swimming and observing the ever-changing floodplain, Martha fell in love with the mighty Gila River. This love for place and for her neighbors motivates Martha to tangle with the water crisis New Mexico faces. Today she works across New Mexico with diverse partners to protect and restore rivers for people and nature using strategies that weave together science, policy, on-the-ground projects and stories. Martha remains based in southwest New Mexico.
Forest Strategy Director
As the Forest Strategy Director, Jason Scullion leads TNC New Mexico’s Forest program in its mission to conserve and restore New Mexico’s forests for current and future generations. Jason has a PhD in forest and environmental sciences from the University of Washington and has worked on forest conservation and restoration issues for more than a decade. Jason’s current priorities include scaling the impact of the Rio Grande Water Fund and advancing the Western Dry Forests and Fire Initiative.
Indigenous Partnerships Manager
As the Indigenous Partnerships Manager, Rose Gildersleeve collaborates with Sovereign Indigenous Nations to support conservation and resource management initiatives. With a deep understanding of Tribal governance, culture, and environmental priorities, Rose works to build meaningful and authentic relationships that honor Indigenous Knowledge and conservation goals across the region. Originally from Alaska, Rose’s cultural background is Tlingit (from her father’s side) and Inupiat (from her mother’s side). Rose has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Alaska Pacific University and continues to serve her Native communities in various roles of leadership. Rose is also the founder and board chair of the Yakutat Bay Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of lands and waters of her ancestral territory. Rose is passionate about advancing Indigenous-led conservation and fostering collaborative solutions that respect Indigenous Sovereignty.
Prescribed Fire Specialist
As New Mexico’s Prescribed Fire Specialist, Will Joy leads TNC New Mexico’s efforts to promote good fire that restores the health of our dry forests. William has a B.S. in Forestry from Southern Illinois University and joined TNC following ten years as a wildland firefighter, primarily with the U.S. Forest Service. Will’s priorities include expanding New Mexico’s All-Hands, All-Lands Burn Network to support prescribed burning on public and private lands, scaling fire-related training for undergraduate students and tribal partners, and developing and implementing burn plans for TNC’s New Mexico preserves.
Forest and Watershed Health Manager
As the Forest and Watershed Health Manager, AJ Jones leads the Rio Grande Water Fund (RGWF) in its mission to restore regional forest health to ensure habitat for biodiversity and water security for people in New Mexico. AJ has master’s degrees in community and regional planning and water resources from the University of New Mexico and has worked on environmental issues in various capacities over the years, including as a wildland firefighter and as Deputy Director for the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division. At UNM, AJ was also part of the Sustainable Water Resources Grand Challenges team, conducting a statewide study on issues rural drinking water systems and their managers face. AJ is currently focused on growing the impact of the RGWF through enhanced program development, collaboration with partners, and communications.
Southwest Field Representative
As the Southwest Field Representative, Gregor Hamilton manages the Gila River and Mimbres River Preserves, works with local non-profits, schools, irrigation associations, and agencies to improve watershed and forest health in the region. Gregor earned a PhD in aquatic ecology from the University of New Mexico, where he studied stream community ecology in the Gila National Forest and he has worked for the Nature Conservancy in New Mexico since 2023. Gregor’s current priorities include habitat restoration and improvement at the Mimbres River Preserve, supporting the Gila National Forest and TNC North America Fire to bring a healthy fire regime to the landscape (for both human and ecosystem health and safety), and working with agricultural partners to improve soil health in the Cliff/Gila Valley.
External Affairs Associate
As the External Affairs Associate, Elle Benson serves as the External Affairs Associate at TNC New Mexico, where she supports the team by tracking and implementing state and federal policy. Born and raised in southwestern New Mexico, Elle calls the Gila National Forest and Gila River home. Elle holds a MS in Environmental Science and Policy where she used sociohydrology to better understand the ways that people and water systems shape each other in the Cliff/Gila Valley. She then served New Mexico as a staff member in both the US House and Senate before coming back to the state to work with communities to leverage federal funding through technical assistance and policy reform.
Spatial Scientist
Aaron Jones draws on the approaches, tools, and best practices of the “science of where” to improve decision-making across TNC New Mexico’s conservation programs. Aaron has a MSc in Earth Sciences from Montana State University and has worked for TNC since 2008. His current priorities include a rapid assessment of conservation gaps faced in meeting the chapter’s contributions toward TNC’s 2030 goals, an optimization analysis of restoration actions for New Mexico’s wetlands, and regular engagement beyond New Mexico in TNC’s leading work in landscape connectivity.