Our Mission

Travis was selected as the Executive Director position in February of 2016. Previously, he worked with the Catawba Lands Conservancy as the operations director of the Carolina Thread Trail project. Prior to that, he served in the military, including a combat deployment in Iraq, and worked as a senior and principal city planner for the town of Cary.

Travis grew up in Stanly County and attended high school in Albemarle. He has a degree in political science with a concentration in town, city, and county management from Appalachian State University. Travis is dedicated to the Uwharrie region and the heartland area of North Carolina. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Emily began working for Three Rivers Land Trust in February 2021. She attended North Carolina State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in the spring of 2020. Emily graduated from Clemson University with a Masters degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management in December of 2023. She is also a Certified Associate Wildlife Biologist.

Before coming to the Land Trust, she worked on wildlife management projects for private companies and managed the hunting program on a wildlife refuge. As a Montgomery County native, Emily is passionate about conserving the natural lands she has been able to enjoy in the region. In her spare time, Emily is an avid birder and also enjoys hiking, paddling, and baking.

Kyle joined TRLT in June of 2023 as a Land Protection Specialist. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences, and a minor in Geology. Kyle has worked in a variety of industries, including an environmental specialist, insurance underwriter, and most recently a craft brewer. With a passion for the natural world since childhood, Kyle enjoys all things outdoors, including backpacking, hiking, hunting, and live music.

Kyle’s conservation story began when he successfully completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2016. This 5-month journey over 2,189 miles had such a tremendous impact on his life and demonstrated the importance of conserving wild spaces. As a native of Salisbury, there is no greater joy to him than being able to work to conserve local lands in the heart of North Carolina.

Katie began working with TRLT in November of 2021. She received her master’s degree in Wildlife Science from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s in Natural Resource Conservation and Management with a concentration in forestry from Western Carolina University. Katie has prior experience working for the N.C. Forest Service and the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she provided land management information and technical support to forest landowners and wildlife managers.

Katie’s interest and expertise is in prescribed fire, applied habitat management, sound forest management, and blending wildlife and forestry objectives. In her free time, Katie enjoys sharing the conservation ethic with others, especially kids, and promoting the wonderful natural resources that our state has to offer.

Matthew joined TRLT in August of 2022. His current role is the Stewardship Associate. In this role, Matthew makes annual contact with landowners that are enrolled in Three Rivers Conservation Easement Programs to make sure there are no easement violations. Matthew graduated from Gaston Early College High School in Dallas, North Carolina where he gained his associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. From there he received a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology at North Carolina State University.

Matthew has extensive equipment operating experience along with an understanding of land management best practices that can give landowners insight into what they could potentially need to achieve their land management goals. In his free time, Matthew enjoys hunting, fishing, playing the guitar, and spending time with his family and dog named Gunner.

Barry began working as the Sandhills Conservation Coordinator for Three Rivers Land Trust in April 2023. He is an NC native who grew up in the woods and farmlands surrounding his home in rural Iredell County. He learned much about the outdoors through trial and error and Scouting.

After graduating from WCU, Barry served 11 years in the Active Army. After leaving, he worked for the Army in various capacities and remained in the National Guard until retirement. He has worked on land preservation in the area for 12 years. His wife Christine grew up on a small farm in western NC and still works for the US Army. They have three grown children, two boys both on active duty and a daughter pursuing her bachelor’s at UNCW.

Michael joined TRLT in October of 2023 as a Development Associate. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Born and raised in the dairy state of Wisconsin, Michael has called the Piedmont region of North Carolina home since 2008. He has spent the past three years working as a real estate agent servicing the greater Lake Norman area.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Michael enjoys spending his time in the outdoors and has a strong passion for conservation. Growing up working on a dairy farm, Michael understands the importance of family farms and the significance that the agricultural industry as a whole provides to the public. He is thrilled to be able to assist TRLT in their conservation efforts.

Pierce joined the TRLT team in February of 2024. Pierce is a multidisciplinary designer, writer, art director and filmmaker who loves collaboration and pushing ideas as far as they can go. Pierce has worked in both agency and in-house environments and has extensive experience in the food and textile industries. In his free time, Pierce loves film, physical fitness, and outdoor adventures.

Alexis joined TRLT in March of 2024. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Biology. She comes to us with several years’ experience working with native wildlife as a zookeeper as well as nonprofit fundraising.

Alexis grew up in Stanly County exploring the woods and creek by her home. She has a lifelong passion for the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats. She enjoys being involved in her community and connecting with local businesses who foster the same desire to conserve our rural landscapes. Alexis enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, and growing her own food and flowers in her garden with her young daughter.

Jessie Wilson joined TRLT in August of 2024 as a Stewardship Associate. She graduated from UNCW with a Master’s in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Conservation and Management. Jessie received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and a minor in Geology from Appalachian State University.

A Montgomery County native, Jessie grew up spending her weekends on horseback in the Uwharrie National Forest and “helping” her grandpa drive his boat on Lake Tillery. She is passionate about protecting the beautiful land in the Piedmont region that her family has called home for generations. Today, most weekends still find her in the woods, either riding her horse or hiking with her dog.

Tonya holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership from Pfeiffer University. She has over nineteen years of experience in fundraising and event management within the nonprofit sector. Passionate about serving her community, Tonya actively volunteers and serves on various community boards. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds joy in gardening, particularly planting flowers, and spending quality time with her family.

Cody grew up in Yadkinville, North Carolina, and graduated from Forbush High School. After high school, he served six years in the United States Air Force before returning to work with his family in the water and sewer utilities and grading industry.

From a young age, Cody’s mother introduced him to the woods, while his father fueled his passion for being on the water. This love for the outdoors has remained with him throughout his life, and he now enjoys managing wildlife habitats on hunting properties and seeing the rewards of his hard work.

Cody’s extensive experience in land and resource management makes him a great fit for the stewardship team. When he isn’t working on habitat projects, Cody loves spending time with his wife, dog, two cats, and two horses. We are so happy to welcome Cody as the newest member of Team TRLT!

Buren Fulmer joined Three Rivers as the Sandhills Stewardship Associate in May 2024. Buren is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Natural Resource Management and a concentration in forestry. Buren recently retired from the North Carolina Forest Service, working his entire career in the Sandhills region. Buren’s passion is the longleaf pine ecosystem, with a focus on restoration and prescribed burning. Buren enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Nicole joined TRLT in October of 2024. She graduated from High Point University in 2024 with a Masters of Communications, Business, and Leadership and Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 2023. Nicole is passionate about storytelling, and utilizing social media as a tool for communicating the impactful work of the organization. As a Rowan County native, Nicole is passionate about the conservation of the natural lands she has grown up around. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.