The elections are over and Congress has returned to Washington, D.C. with a lot on their plates and a short window of opportunity to get it done. Welcome to the 2018 congressional lame duck session!

Last month, I traveled from Chicago to Pittsburgh to attend my first Rally. I returned home energized and full of ideas!

As I reflect on this week's election activity across the country, I am struck by the resounding call by Americans to protect our lands and waters through ballot measures funding conservation.

I was 8 months pregnant when I was hired as executive director. At the time I didn't realize how extraordinary that was. When I look back now I can see the moment through experienced eyes.

A roundup of all the magic from Rally 2018: The National Land Conservation Conference in Pittsburgh, October 11-13, including videos, speeches, resources and more.

The proposed State and Local Tax deduction rule change is "too sweeping" and works "quite contrary to the intent of Congress."

If you do advocacy, you know why it is important. If you don't, please consider getting in the game.

My message is simple: Recognize the place, the community, where you belong — then do all you can to protect all its members, human and otherwise.

I am here representing an ancient culture of conservation, balance and the interconnectedness of all things.

Rally is always a busy time for me and the land conservation community, but this year it was even more so. Because it came just days after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's special report.