Lance Spece

Lance Spece brings a deep passion for conservation and extensive hands-on experience to his role as Wildlife Heritage Foundation’s Conservation Integrity Manager. Having served as WHF’s Land Manager from March 2020 to October 2024, Lance has been instrumental in ensuring the ecological health and long-term protection of WHF’s conserved lands and conservation easements.

In his previous role, Lance was responsible for maintaining WHF’s management properties, including tasks like cutting fire breaks, removing invasive species, repairing infrastructure, and coordinating and overseeing large scale restoration/fuels reduction projects. He also played a key role in monitoring conservation easement properties, completing annual reports for partner agencies, and assisting with baseline condition reports for new projects, utilizing tools like ArcGIS Pro and Avenza Maps to accurately record site information. Additionally, Lance supported WHF’s biologist in conducting invertebrate sampling and floristic surveys in vernal pools.

As Conservation Integrity Manager, Lance now plays a vital role in upholding WHF’s mission by ensuring the long-term protection and ecological integrity of all lands and conservation easements under WHF’s stewardship. His responsibilities include overseeing land acquisition due diligence, managing WHF-owned lands and easements for compliance, addressing potential violations, and fostering strong relationships with landowners.

Lance’s commitment to land conservation is further highlighted by his prior experience as Land Manager for Placer Land Trust, where he monitored properties, worked on baselines, maintained public trails, lead volunteers in forest thinning projects, and assisted in overseeing prescribed burns. He was a Conservation Associate at Yolo Land Trust, where he monitored conservation easements, assisted landowners, and conducted due diligence for new projects. He also served as a Conservation Easement Project Manager at Northcoast Regional Land Trust, monitoring properties, drafting and finalizing baseline conditions reports and conservation easements, leading negotiations, and authoring scientific grants.

Lance holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management, with a Planning and Policy Option, from Humboldt State University. His comprehensive understanding of conservation practices and his dedication to protecting California’s natural resources make him an invaluable asset to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation.