The North Olympic Land Trust in late April announced the addition of Courtney Bornsworth, the organization’s new land manager, to its staff.

Bornsworth grew up in Detroit, Mich., and graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor of science degree in zoology.

She worked at Olympic National Park as part of the Elwha River restoration crew, spending three years on the project as a biological technician with her main job to monitor the long-term vegetation plots to assess changes in landscape over time.

“We are very fortunate to have access to this unique landscape that is the North Olympic Peninsula,” Bornsworth said. “This, among other reasons, is what excited me most about being the land manager with the Land Trust.”

As land manager, Bornsworth is the lead on stewarding (caring for) and managing the properties owned by the Land Trust, including public conservation areas such as the Lyre Conservation Area, Elk Creek Conservation Area, Pysht River Conservation Area and the Siebert Creek Conservation Area, NOLT Community Engagement Specialist Alana Linderoth said.

“Courtney will maintain these these properties with the help of an amazing volunteer stewardship crew, as well as make any property enhancements, like the installation of new trails or educational signage,” Linderoth said.

Some of the properties managed/owned by the Land Trust have active habitat restoration underway, which Bornsworth will oversee, NOLT officials said. She also will create and implement land management plans for the lands the organization owns to promote healthy ecosystem functions such as forest growth and recovery, native vs. invasive vegetation and water quality.

With her education and experience in science, natural resource management and habitat restoration, she also will help the Land Trust evaluate potential conservation opportunities as they arise, NOLT officials said.