Denver, Colo.  – The National Wildlife Federation is proud to introduce the 2020 Kate Zimmerman Legal Fellow Cara Lynch, who will play a vital role in the Rio Grande Riparian Corridors Network Initiative. Cara will contribute to a comprehensive assessment of the ecological, policy, institutional and social priorities in the watershed to support the restoration and protection of the region’s riparian system and promote habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors.

This Fellowship honors Kate Zimmerman, a public lands champion and giant of conservation policy that directly helped to conserve millions of acres of the nation’s public lands during her illustrious career. The Kate Zimmerman Legal Fellowship builds on her legacy and supports the leadership development of the next generation of women conservation policy leaders. Kate served as the Federation’s public lands policy director, and was a shrewd legal mind and tireless advocate. 

“The National Wildlife Federation is proud to welcome Cara Lynch as an emerging conservation leader and talented attorney who truly honors Kate Zimmerman’s lifetime of work,” said Brian Kurzel, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Rocky Mountain Regional Center. “Kate always said, ‘Conservation isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon’, and we are excited that Cara will help advance the next leg of that journey.”

Cara joins the National Wildlife Federation from the University of New Mexico Law School as a highly recommended environmental advocate. She brings a deep ecological and environmental passion to protect our waters, air, lands and biodiversity in the West. As an environmental lawyer, she has led and supported environmental litigation and policy efforts affecting New Mexicans such as protecting acequia water rights, assuring freshwater in New Mexico is not wasted and requiring enforcement of the Clean Air Act. Most recently, Cara assisted a team in evaluating energy and climate policies beneficial to New Mexicans and western states. In 2018, she helped inform and write an environmental agenda for the incoming Governor and legislature of New Mexico, collaborating with leaders throughout the state to launch the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Network. 

“I am grateful to the National Wildlife Federation community for the opportunity to serve as the Kate Zimmerman Legal Fellow and build upon her prolific legacy,” said Cara Lynch. “Preserving the ecological integrity of the Rio Grande in Colorado and New Mexico draws on my passion and experience in bringing together diverse communities and organizations to support environmental action.”