About

Grady Spann

Email: gspann@nwalandtrust.org

Grady Spann oversees NWALT’s operations and resources, serves as the organization’s public face, and leads strategic planning. He spent 28 years with Arkansas State Parks, becoming Director in 2016, and has held leadership roles with state and national park associations. Prior to that, Grady served nine years in the U.S. Army as a military tactical intelligence and counterintelligence officer, stationed in Arizona, Louisiana, Brazil, and Washington D.C. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, camping, and RVing with his wife and family across the U.S.

Marson Nance

Email: mnance@nwalandtrust.org

Marson leads NWALT’s giving and grassroots support efforts, working with donors and advocates to fund the Land Trust’s mission. He previously served as Director of Land Stewardship and Research and brings deep knowledge of NWALT’s operations, from land protection to public access. Marson has secured major funding for habitat restoration and conservation projects. A North Carolina native, he holds a B.S. in Environmental Biology and has worked as an environmental consultant and lake manager. He lives in Arkansas with his wife Cheyenne and their two children, and enjoys birding, camping, gardening, and playing guitar in his band Higher Arkies.

Renee Sniegocki

Email: rsniegocki@nwalandtrust.org

Renee leads NWALT’s land stewardship program, managing public access nature preserves and ensuring long-term care of conservation easements. A Little Rock native, she grew up exploring Arkansas’ mountains and has dedicated her career to protecting wild lands. She holds a bachelor’s in biology from Warren Wilson College and a master’s from the University of Arkansas, where she studied tropical forest ecology in Borneo. Renee spent over a decade with the National Park Service, working in forest management, invasive species control, and wildland firefighting. She enjoys backpacking, canoeing, fly fishing, and van camping with her husband.

Evan Johnson

Email: ejohnson@nwalandtrust.org

Evan is NWALT’s boots-on-the-ground conservationist, leading environmental due diligence and landowner outreach for new land protection projects. A Fayetteville native, he grew up exploring the Ozarks and earned a degree in Environmental Management and Policy from UNC Asheville. Evan has worked with Defenders of Wildlife, Habitat for Humanity, and Lake Logan Outdoor School. He’s a Certified Interpretive Guide who enjoys disc golf, trout fishing, and cheering on the Charlotte Hornets.

Bree Robles

Email: brobles@nwalandtrust.org

Bree is NWALT’s Marketing and Communications Specialist, leading content, social media, email marketing, and website development to connect the community with land conservation. Originally from California’s wine country, she found her passion for conservation through work in the outdoor and climbing industries. With a background in marketing, content creation, and nonprofit communications, Bree aligns organizational goals with audience values. Her photography and cinematography have been featured in publications like Outside and Climbing Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, climbing, and capturing the beauty of Northwest Arkansas.

Brittney Booth

Email: bbooth@nwalandtrust.org

Brittney is NWALT’s lead land steward, overseeing habitat restoration, land management, and public access on preserves. She also serves as the primary conservation easement monitor, working with landowners to uphold permanent land protection. A Botanist and Ecologist, Brittney holds a Master’s in Biology from the University of Arkansas, where she studied glade ecosystems. Her experience includes roles with the Ozark Natural Science Center, NWALT, and the University of Arkansas Herbarium. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, baking, drawing, and spending time with her cats.

Ben Speight

Ben leads NWALT’s Land Protection Program, managing conservation easements, real estate transactions, and grants. A native Arkansan, he grew up exploring the state’s forests and waterways, which inspired his passion for conservation. Ben holds a bachelor’s in Forestry from Sewanee and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas, where he received the Bard Rogan Natural Resource Award. He enjoys fly fishing, trail running, and camping with his wife Anna and their dog, Susan B. Anthony.