Ben Speight joins Land Protection Team

NWALT is proud to welcome Ben Speight as our new Director of Land Protection! A native Arkansan with a deep passion for conservation, Ben brings a unique blend of legal expertise and field experience to NWALT’s mission of preserving the region’s natural beauty.

Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Sewanee and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas, where he received the Bard Rogan Natural Resource Award for excellence in environmental law and policy. He successfully sat for his bar examination in July 2025. Ben's background makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead NWALT’s Land Protection Program, which includes overseeing conservation easements, real estate transactions, and grant management.

"I am beyond excited to now be working for NWALT. I have always been incredibly passionate about the outdoors and land conservation and having the ability to use my education and experience to help protect and preserve the green spaces of Northwest Arkansas is a dream come true," said Speight.

His arrival comes at a pivotal time for NWALT, which has conserved over 9,300 acres and continues to expand its impact through strategic partnerships. Ben’s leadership will help ensure that NWALT’s conservation efforts remain both legally sound and ecologically effective.

“Ben’s combination of field experience and legal acumen makes him an invaluable asset to our team,” said Grady Spann, Executive Director and CEO of NWALT. “His leadership will help us protect even more of the places that define Northwest Arkansas.”

Outside of work, Ben enjoys fly fishing, trail running, and camping with his wife Anna and their dog, Susan B. Anthony. His personal connection to the land reflects the values at the heart of NWALT’s mission: protecting the landscapes that make Northwest Arkansas home.