Staff

Dave Sands – Executive Director

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dave helped to run a third-generation family business for the first 20 years of his career. His experience in conservation dates to 1983, when he was appointed to serve on the state’s Environmental Quality Council, which he later chaired. In 1997, he traded his business career for a new one in conservation, by becoming the first executive director of Audubon Nebraska. In this capacity, he worked with Kathie O’Brien to conserve her ranch near Lincoln and protect its rare tallgrass prairie from development, which ultimately became the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. In 2003, Dave embraced an opportunity to work with conservation-minded landowners full-time, by becoming the first executive director of Nebraska Land Trust.

Jacob Alishouse – Stewardship Director

Jacob ensures that NLT meets its responsibility to perpetually uphold the terms of every conservation easement. He joined NLT in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He developed an appreciation for agriculture during summers on his family’s Sandhills ranch. Jacob, his wife, Sara, and their children enjoy traveling to all parts of our ‘Honestly, it’s not for everyone’ state.

Hannah Sidel – Communications Director

Hannah joined the NLT team in 2022 as the organization’s first ever Communications Director. She showcases the work Dave and Jacob do every day to partner with landowners in Nebraska to conserve their farms, ranches and other lands. She tells the stories of our landowners – who are among the state’s best land stewards. She also has the pleasure of working with our donors to help them achieve their philanthropic goals through NLT. Hannah earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2013. Before joining the NLT team, Hannah worked in fundraising and outreach for the Crane Trust and National Arbor Day Foundation. Hannah resides in Malcolm, Nebraska with her husband and two daughters.

Board of Directors

At-Large

Glenn Johnson

Matt Darling

Ryan Gibson

Carl Simmons*

Sara Sortum

Taylor Wohlers

Jennifer Pospichal

Ty Cox

Mike Kelly

Dean Fedde

Fontenelle Nature Association

Tyler Irvine

Michelle Foss

 

Lower Platte North NRD

Tom McKnight*

Bob Heimann

Bill Saeger

Lower Platte South NRD

Larry Ruth

Will Inselman

Nebraska Wildlife Federation

Mike Coe

Dave Koukol

Kimberly Stuhr

Nebraska Cattlemen

Tim Kalkowski

Todd McWha

Nebraska Game and Parks

Jim Swenson

Jeff Fields

Niobrara Council

Jason Appelt

Kalli Kieborz

History Nebraska

John Swigart

Trisha Nelson*

Audubon Society

Joe Francis*

Ross Scott

Glenn Pollock

National Park Service

Susan Cook

(Non-Voting Member)

*Officer