A New Chapter for NWALT: Marson Nance Named CEO

There are moments in an organization's life that feel especially meaningful. This is one of them.

The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Board of Directors recently named Marson Nance as NWALT's next Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, and we're excited to share this news with the community that has helped make our conservation work possible.

For many of you, Marson is already a familiar face. Over the last eight years, you've seen him at preserve openings, community events, donor gatherings, volunteer projects, and around countless kitchen tables with landowners discussing their hopes for the future of their land. He has been deeply involved in nearly every part of NWALT's work and has helped shape the organization into what it is today.

In many ways, this feels less like welcoming someone new and more like celebrating one of our own stepping into a new role.

Since joining NWALT in 2018, Marson has served as Director of Land Protection, Director of Land Stewardship, and most recently, Director of Philanthropy. Along the way, he helped conserve more than 3,000 acres across Northwest Arkansas, led efforts to open four NWALT preserves, including Wilson Springs Preserve, and helped secure critical funding for conservation projects throughout the region.

Just as importantly, he has built relationships.

Relationships with landowners who want to see their family lands protected forever. Relationships with community leaders working to balance growth and conservation. Relationships with supporters like you who believe that clean water, wildlife habitat, working farms and forests, and access to nature are worth protecting.

Those connections have always been at the heart of NWALT's work, and they will continue to guide us into the future.

"This is incredibly meaningful to me," Marson shared. "I have dedicated much of my career to this organization because I believe deeply in its mission and the impact it has on our region. The lands we protect belong to all of us in some way. They provide clean water, open spaces, healthy ecosystems, and a sense of place that makes Northwest Arkansas home."

As many of you know, this transition follows the remarkable leadership of Grady Spann, who helped grow NWALT into one of Arkansas's most respected conservation organizations. During his tenure, more than 3,300 acres were permanently protected across 23 properties, expanding NWALT's conservation impact across the region.

We are deeply grateful for Grady's leadership and the strong foundation he helped build.

Looking ahead, Marson sees tremendous opportunity for conservation in Northwest Arkansas. While our communities continue to grow, so does the need to protect the lands and natural resources that support our quality of life.

"Conservation is really about legacy," Marson says. "It's about making sure future generations can enjoy the same rivers, forests, family farms, and natural beauty that we cherish today. I believe Northwest Arkansas has a unique opportunity to show that growth and conservation can go hand in hand, and I'm excited to be part of that work."

As CEO, Marson will lead NWALT's conservation initiatives, stewardship efforts, fundraising, and partnerships across the region. But the mission remains the same: protecting the lands, waters, and natural heritage that make Northwest Arkansas extraordinary.

Most importantly, this next chapter will continue to be powered by people like you.

Whether you've donated, attended an event, volunteered, conserved your land, visited a preserve, or simply shared our story, you have helped make every acre protected possible.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Together, we look forward to the next chapter of conservation in Northwest Arkansas.