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Ethan is a realty specialist for the National Wildlife Refuge System based in the Twin Cities (Minnesota). His primary role is to acquire land for permanent conservation in the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest regions of the United States. He works with refuge managers, NGO partners, private landowners, and local governments to identify and acquire remnant or restorable habitat to improve connectivity, water quality, and species richness. His acquisitions also increase public hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities. Since joining the Service in 2016, he has brought thousands of acres worth millions of dollars into permanently protected status (often by retiring marginal or degraded farmland). Ethan is also committed to increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the conservation field and enjoys spending time outside with his husband and son. He received a law degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in GIS from the University of Minnesota, both with a focus on public lands and natural resources.