Joann Grant, Managing Director
JoAnn has been a valued member of Heart of the Rockies Initiative team since 2011 and has over 20 years’ experience working with land trusts, developing collaborative partnerships, and administering complex federal and private funding. As managing director, she is responsible for managing finances and land trust relationships and leads the communications team, where she particularly appreciates utilizing creativity to develop and enhance branding, storytelling, and problem solving strategies. JoAnn is passionate about finding ways to keep family farms, ranches, and timber lands in family hands and is continually inspired and humbled by the commitment, kindness, and integrity of the people in this field of work. She holds a BS in natural resources management from Colorado State University.
What led you to choose a career in conservation?
I grew up in Wyoming and had a lot of freedom to roam around the sagebrush, rivers, and up into the buttes surrounding my hometown. I think I’ve always been kind of fascinated with the natural world and how we interact with it.
What inspires you in your daily work at Heart of the Rockies Initiative?
Every day, I’m inspired by the people we work with—landowners, land trusts, Tribal partners, and community leaders—who ensure that what we love about this place—its beauty, its wildlife, and its way of life—can be here for future generations too. At Heart of the Rockies, we get to help bridge connections across landscapes and across perspectives. The work is rooted in trust, respect, and a shared commitment to place. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support others who are making meaningful, lasting conservation possible.
When you’re not working, how do you engage with the people, lands, or wildlife of the transboundary Rocky Mountains?
Thinking about summer…I love floating the rivers around here: drifting, catching some fish, watching the birds. It is a great way to feel the pace and rhythm of this landscape. This summer, I hope to spend more time exploring Montana’s lakes, too.
Photo Share
This photo reflects what is meaningful to me about my work at Heart of the Rockies — the land and the people. This image is from our spring 2025 member meeting, which took place in Fernie, British Columbia, and included a tour of conservation projects in Southern Alberta (pictured here).
