The Western Energy Project works to safeguard the treasured landscapes of the American West.

The Western Energy Project works to protect our treasured landscapes in the American West by ensuring that any development of oil and gas from our federal public lands is done in a responsible manner. We support the preservation of ecologically and culturally important areas, the adoption of common-sense protections for our water, air, land, and wildlife, and the safeguarding of opportunities for Americans to enjoy our public lands.

Our Staff

Jess Maher, Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Western Energy Project, Jess works with the team to determine and then successfully implement our campaigns to protect the treasured landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Jess graduated with a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University.  Since 2004 she has worked on a variety of energy, environmental, and conservation issues, and applies this diverse background every day to ensure our shared natural resources — water, air, land, and wildlife — are protected and preserved for future generations.

Lander Karath, Campaign Director

As Campaign Director, Lander develops and implements the Western Energy Project’s campaign strategies, manages western field program activities, and is responsible for overseeing and expanding the chorus of diverse western voices to support our campaigns. For over a decade, he has organized western communities to realize impactful conservation and electoral successes that benefit both people and nature. Lander was raised in the mountains of Montana and received a Master’s of Natural Resource Policy from the University of Colorado - Boulder and a B.A. from Middlebury College.

TI HAYS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR/COUNSEL

Ti is Deputy Director and Counsel for the Western Energy Project, and provides legal and policy advice in support of our campaigns. He has worked on conservation issues for over a decade, including with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. and Denver. Ti has a B.A. from the College of William & Mary and law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon.

Karen Goldburg, Policy Analyst

As Policy Analyst, Karen provides legal and policy research and writing in support of our campaigns. She has several years of experience working in collaborative natural resources management across many landscapes throughout the West. Karen holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of San Diego and an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.

Nuria Alonso Perez, Campaign Associate

As Campaign Associate, Nuria supports the design and implementation of our campaigns. She has several years of experience working in advocacy on a variety of social issues. Nuria has a B.A. from Columbia University and an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh.

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