In memoriam: Jean Hocker

I was fortunate to join the staff of the Land Trust Alliance (then the Land Trust Exchange) for the first time in the summer of 1987. I was 27 — a millennial, in today's terms — young and eager to make my mark. At the time, there were only four of us on staff: Jean Hocker as president, an associate director, an office manager and myself. Other than Jean, we were all under 30. We were all female. And we were all inspired by Jean's passion, intelligence and leadership.

Jean's contributions to land conservation and the land trust community were many. Her early vision and commitment to voluntary land conservation set the foundation for a strong alliance of land trusts. During her 14 years as president, the number of local and regional land trusts nearly doubled to more than 1,260, and the land protected by them increased threefold to 6.4 million acres. In light of her passing last week at age 79, Jean leaves a legacy of a network of land trusts that have transformed America's landscape forever.

But through it all, what I will remember most clearly about Jean is her unfailing willingness to give of herself to so many people. She was a mentor and a role model for me and countless other young women over the years. Kind, humble and compassionate, she remained a close colleague and confidante as I pursued my own career in land conservation.

Jean often said that what she liked most about land conservation was the people she worked with, both at land trusts and at the Alliance. As new generations of leaders infuse the land conservation community, Jean will not be forgotten. Her work and commitment to the land lives on through the people she led and the people who loved her, often one and the same. I am honored and proud to be among them.

Sylvia Bates is standards and educational services director for the Land Trust Alliance.