Area of Focus
Clare Bastable guides the execution of WRA’s strategic plan that aligns the organization’s vision and strategy, partnering with states to advance an ambitious climate and conservation agenda in the Interior West. With a focus on translating big picture vision into actionable strategies, she ensures WRA’s mission remains at the forefront of climate and conservation policy.
Background
Clare has spent her entire career focused on the intersection between climate change, the protection and restoration of land and water, and disaster risk management. She brings over two decades of experience developing multi-faceted advocacy programs and plans to advance clean energy, healthy rivers and land protection in the West.
Most recently, she served for almost eight years as the founding executive director of the Catena Foundation, a private grant-making foundation focused on protecting and restoring watersheds, climate and clean energy, civic engagement, and immigration. She also worked as a strategy consultant for foundations and organizations around the globe advancing climate change mitigation and building resilience plans.
Previously, Clare directed the national public lands program at the National Wildlife Federation, where she built diverse coalitions to advocate for protection of wildlife and public lands in the U.S.
Accomplishments
Clare is board secretary for the Maki Foundation, a family foundation based in Aspen, Colo., and a board member of the Thompson Divide Coalition. She is also a member of the Global Expert Roster for the United Nations Development Program and is a former board member of Conservation Colorado. She is proud to have helped assess climate risk and plan for climate adaptation in Fiji, the Maldives, Moldova, Jamaica, and Afghanistan.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Geology from Bucknell University
- Executive Master of Public Administration with a focus on environmental policy and law from the University of Colorado
Favorite thing about the West
“I love mountain biking, hiking, skiing and climbing.”
