2026 Wyss Fellows Selected

The Wyss Foundation is excited to announce the 2026 cohort of Wyss Fellows. The Wyss Fellows Program supports the training and development of future conservation leaders through a two-year fellowship at sponsoring organizations. Fellows gain experience in all aspects of conservation advocacy and attend annual week-long training programs.

Wyss Fellow at Arizona Wildlife Federation

Christian Fauser will serve as the Public Lands Coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, an organization dedicated to conserving Arizona's wildlife, wild places, and public lands. He will help to defend  public lands from sale or transfer, advocate for public lands funding, wildlife connectivity and crossings, encourage conservation-smart energy development and transmission, and increase awareness of the importance of riparian protection and restoration in Arizona.

Wyss Fellow at Conservation Lands Foundation

Liz Crandall will serve as the Associate Director of Digital Advocacy for the Conservation Lands Foundation, an organization that protects, restores, and expands the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy, and partnerships. She will collect and elevate conservation stories from communities and partners. She will also support conservation efforts by helping engage the public around the importance of protecting public lands.

Wyss Fellow at Conserve Southwest Utah

Brendan Botosan will serve as the Public Lands Program Manager at Conserve Southwest Utah, an organization that protects Washington County’s intricate desert ecosystem by addressing a wide range of conservation issues. His work will focus on protecting public lands through community-based conservation, practical policy, and collaboration with partners.

Wyss Fellow at Massachusetts Audubon

Rae Ettenger will serve as a fellow at Massachusetts Audubon, the largest conservation organization in New England that works to protect the natural heritage of Massachusetts for both people and wildlife. He will support the Nature for Massachusetts campaign by working to secure dedicated funding for conservation and expand equitable access to nature.

Wyss Fellow at Native American Land Conservancy

Jack Lugo will serve as the Policy Fellow for the Native American Land Conservancy, an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization that works to acquire, preserve, and protect sacred lands through land acquisition, education, cultural programming, and the surveying and monitoring of Tribal historic properties.

Wyss Fellow at Western Resource Advocates

Laurel Martinez will serve as the Western Lands Fellow for Western Resource Advocates, an organization focused on fighting climate change and its impacts to sustain the people of the West. She will advocate for policies that protect habitat and connect the community to public lands.