Robertson Was Appointed to the Board by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland 

One Tree Planted is proud to share that our own Chief Impact Officer, Breece Robertson, has been appointed by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to the US National Park System Advisory Board. The Board, which was authorized in 1935, advises the Secretary and the Director of the National Park Service on matters relating to the Service's work.

“National parks are some of the most visible and important forums for visitors to explore the outdoors and learn the complicated yet vital story of America.” said Secretary Haaland. “These new National Park System Advisory Board members represent experienced practitioners in cultural and natural resources management, as well as experts in relevant academic fields including environmental law, geography, and history. I look forward to their insight as we work to make our public lands accessible and inviting to all.”

In addition to its advisory role, the Board has a regulatory role that includes recommending new National Natural Landmarks and National Historic Landmarks. They also provide recommendations about the national historic significance of proposed National Historic Trails.

“The challenges faced by the National Park Service reflect the challenges faced by our nation,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Whether it’s an increasing demand for dwindling resources, the impacts of a changing climate, or the struggle to understand how our past influences today’s injustices, recommendations developed by the National Park System Advisory Board will help us strengthen our connection to the land and to our history.”

With a Master's in Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University and over two decades of experience working as a leader in the conservation and parks sector to build strategic, data-driven initiatives, Breece is uniquely qualified for this appointment. Her passion for protecting the great outdoors is deeply rooted in a lifetime spent enjoying all that it has to offer. From her childhood spent exploring her natural surroundings in a small town in North Carolina to a post grad year spent camping and exploring the Intermountain West, Breece has a deep understanding of the importance of public lands and the need to protect them.

"I am honored to have been appointed by Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to serve on the National Park Service Park System Advisory Board with an esteemed group of professionals" said Breece. “The experience and leadership I have developed through working with the Trust for Public Land, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and in my current role as Chief Impact Officer at One Tree Planted, is grounded in equity, access, collaboration and inclusiveness, all qualities I will bring in service of the park system.” 

Today, she combines geospatial technology and storytelling to inspire, activate, educate, and engage people to protect our planet. In fact, she recently published her first book, “Protecting the Places We Love”. Before joining One Tree Planted, she co-built the Center for Geospatial Solutions at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and before that, Breece spent 18 years leading a team of conservation GIS, planning and research professionals at the Trust for Public Land. Breece led the development of community and indigenous conservation planning processes, climate-smart decision support tools, park and recreation equity and environmental justice tools and National databases like the conservation easement database.