“Wind, Solar and Social Change: Meshing Clean Energy and Conservation In New York”

Cara Lee ‘84 M.E.S.

The Nature Conservancy 

Cara Lee is a senior conservation manager with The Nature Conservancy in Eastern New York.  

Lee joined the Conservancy in 2001 to manage a collaborative conservation planning project for the Shawangunk Mountains with state, federal and conservation partners. The project included development of a regional fire management program and work with local communities on conservation financing initiatives, land use planning and open space protection.

She now leads a statewide Conservancy team focused on energy development issues across New York, and most recently has been involved in New York’s efforts to modernize its grid and accelerate clean energy development. Her team has applied “Development by Design” concepts to provide the state’s first comprehensive biodiversity and energy development mapping tool, in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The team continues to work on developing science-based tools and information that will promote responsible energy and infrastructure development to reduce carbon emissions and avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts on natural resources.

Prior to joining the Conservancy, Lee was the Environmental Director for Scenic Hudson.  During her seventeen-year tenure, she was engaged in shaping policy, regulations and programs related to Hudson River fisheries management, utility impacts, water withdrawal and water quality issues and was involved in passage of environmental legislation focused on the Hudson River corridor and environmental programs statewide. She spearheaded advocacy efforts to clean up PCB contamination in the Hudson River, leading to the largest Superfund project in the nation.

Lee received her Master degree from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.