Toni Hardesty, director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, has been named the new director of The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, the non-profit conservation organization reported today.

Hardesty will oversee The Nature Conservancy’s work around the state, focusing on collaborative projects that protect land and water for nature and people.

She will begin working for the Conservancy on Feb. 27.

Hardesty, an Idaho native, has served as director of Idaho’s DEQ under three governors.

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne appointed her in 2004; she was reappointed by Govs. James Risch and Butch Otter.

“I am very excited to be part of the Conservancy and its unique approach to conservation. I firmly believe that lasting conservation outcomes are grounded in voluntary, pragmatic approaches,” said Hardesty in a press release. “The Conservancy’s successful approach of integrating environmental, economic, and community-based solutions matches up well with my philosophy and I look forward to being part of this important Idaho legacy.”

The Nature Conservancy has worked in Idaho for more than 35 years, acquiring Silver Creek Preserve in 1976. Since then, it has worked on conservation projects in nearly every part of the state, protecting more than 350,000 acres.

Recent Conservancy projects include the protection of more than 14,000 acres of ranch lands in the Pioneer Mountains; innovative water protection agreements in the Salmon River watershed that led to improved conditions for salmon and farmers; forest easements that protect some of the most important grizzly habitat in the state in North Idaho; and continued work with private landowners to protect and restore the Silver Creek Valley.

”The Idaho Board of Trustees is very excited to have Toni join us,” Irv Littman, board chair, said in a press release. “She brings great experience, exciting new perspectives and a proven leadership record to help us continue to protect Idaho’s most spectacular places.”