Skills and Experience

Jim has decades of experience leading complex and successful conservation programs and projects. Environmental Real Estate Solutions assists nonprofits, government agencies, and their partners with transactions and negotiations including fee simple and conservation easement acquisitions, dispositions, and related project management to protect forests, scenic areas, critical habitat, agriculture, and other important lands.

Jim is passionate about employing land conservation tools to promote biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, promote food security, create equitable public access, and support community goals. Environmental Real Estate Solutions was founded by Jim to help others navigate the complex conservation transaction landscape, including client policies and procedures, due diligence, timelines, grant requirements, and documentation. From his attention to detail to his trusted manner with landowners, Jim’s decades of experience and training results in successful conservation outcomes for communities and partners.

Jim currently serves on the land conservation committee for the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance and is a Land Trust Alliance ambassador. Jim is also the program manager for the launch of the new State of New York Forest Conservation Easement for Land Trusts Program on behalf of the Land Trust Alliance.

As the Executive Director of the Eagle Valley Land Trust near Vail, Colorado from 2014-2019, Jim led the organization’s efforts to protect wildlife habitat, access to nature, and agricultural heritage. Jim expanded the land trust's holdings by 50% and its funding by 100% through creative conservation techniques and innovative fundraising and operating strategies. Under Jim's leadership, the land trust embraced emerging strategies for inclusivity, advocating for and participating in efforts to expand access to affordable housing and authentic connection to nature for all its residents and visitors. Jim managed landowner relations and transactions to secure conservation easements and fee-owned lands for the land trust and diverse partners including Eagle County, the US Forest Service, local nonprofits, and surrounding towns.

As a land acquisition officer for Boulder County (Colorado) Parks & Open Space from 2006 to 2014, Jim managed diverse and complex land transactions for one of the country's leading open space programs. Jim regularly guided more than 20 transactions per year, including easements ensuring local food production, protecting significant wildlife corridors, safeguarding beloved scenic vistas, and securing important recreational links.

Jim brings a unique perspective to land conservation. Prior to his career in conservation, Jim spent over a decade as a commercial real estate consultant, developer, manager, and broker working for Trammell Crow Company and Ernst & Young’s Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group and then in private practice. Jim holds a Master of Business Administration in Real Estate Development and Finance from the University of Colorado. Jim supports clients with his unique combination of successful transactions and breadth of experience in private, public, and nonprofit land conservation.