The LandTrust for Central North Carolina has hired Steely Russell as its new administrative associate and named Michael “Mikey” Nye Fulk associate director.

LandTrust, headquartered in Salisbury, has conserved more than 25,000 acres in 10 central North Carolina counties.

“We are so excited to have Steely join the LandTrust team. She has already proven to be a quick learner and tremendous asset to our team,” said Travis Morehead, LandTrust executive director. “Mikey’s efforts to broaden our membership have been nothing short than herculean. She is dedicated not only to the conservation of the region but also toward building a more sustainable LandTrust.”

Russell began working as the administrative associate for LandTrust in November. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geology in last spring.

Her studies included fieldwork in the southern Appalachian region as well as northern Wyoming. Born and raised in Albemarle, Russell is passionate about conserving natural land in the Piedmont region and introducing others to what the region has to offer.

“I grew up in a rural region of North Carolina, so being surrounded by streams, forests and farmlands is something I always took for granted,” Russell said. “I did not fully appreciate the importance or the beauty of these natural lands until I spent time in more urbanized areas, where construction and development are inescapable. As the administrative associate, I am excited to play a role in organizing and increasing the awareness of conservation efforts in North Carolina’s central Piedmont.”

Fulk grew up in Orrum and attended North Carolina State University, where she earned a degree in fisheries and wildlife science with a minor in environmental science. After obtaining her degree in 2002, she worked as a wildlife biologist in Wyoming and later in Montana as the regional hunting access enhancement coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Fulk managed over 1.5 million acres of private and public land used for hunting and recreation.

She returned to North Carolina to work for the Wildlife Resources Commission as a hunter education specialist. In June 2016, Fulk joined LandTrust as membership and outreach director. Her focus has been on increasing membership and support for LandTrust’s conservation work, while broadening the organization’s outreach efforts across a 10-county footprint.

“For the last 15 years, my career focus centered on conserving our natural resources across the country and here in my home state,” Fulk said. “I am honored to be selected as the associate director, and I am excited to continue raising awareness of our organization by showcasing all facets of our conservation efforts here in the central Piedmont.”