Thursday, July 17, 2025
- Sponsored By -
- Sponsored By -
HomeNewsChester local steps into director position for land trust

Chester local steps into director position for land trust

After an extensive search by the board of directors, the Feather River Land Trust announces that Corey Pargee has been hired as executive director.

Pargee has been FRLT’s development director since 2019, leading the group’s fundraising and communications efforts and overseeing community engagement programs. FRLT board chair Ken Roby reports that Pargee has been a key member of the land trust’s leadership team, supporting strategic and financial planning, policy development, and operations.

Pargee brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and social impact sectors to her work, including serving as program operations director for an international non-governmental organization focused on sustainable development and director of operations at financial technology startup First Access.

Though Pargee brings national and international experience to the job, she’s a local. She grew up in Chester and graduated from Chester High. “She knows the area, and our communities,” said Roby.

- Sponsored By -

“I’m honored the board has put their faith in me and excited to be taking on this role,” said Pargee. “FRLT is an incredible organization, and our mission is critical. I love these lands and it’s an honor to do this work.

“Thanks to the vision of our founders, hard-working board, skilled staff, volunteers and
generous supporters, we have a strong foundation to build upon for the future. I’m grateful to departing
Executive Director Shelton Douthit for his steadfast leadership and mentorship these last eight years
and thrilled that we’ll continue to work closely together.”

The Feather River Land Trust was founded as a grassroots organization in 2000 by a group of local volunteers and founding Executive Director Paul Hardy. In the 24 years since then, FRLT has helped to conserve over 100,000 acres in the Feather River Watershed, established the Learning Landscapes K-12 Outdoor Education program, and created five public nature preserves in local communities.

This summer, FRLT will celebrate the opening of a new nature center at the Sierra Valley Preserve, featuring exhibits, expanded public access, trails and new programs for all.

Outgoing Executive Director Shelton Douthit will remain with FRLT, reports Roby. For the last eight years, Douthit has worn two hats, also serving as conservation director. “Shelton’s excited to pass the executive director baton to Corey and focus full-time on FRLT’s ambitious land conservation vision,” said Roby.

Douthit commented on the transition: “I’m super happy that Corey wanted to take on this new role. I’ve been so impressed with her ability to juggle so many challenging topics and keep moving our mission forward. She brings an important perspective on organizational health and we’re at the point as an organization where that is critical. Corey grew up in the watershed, and she’s been all over the world. She’s very much a mission-driven person. I’m happy to have her taking over the reins.”

With Pargee taking on the executive director position, the land trust has an immediate opening for a
development director to lead FRLT’s fundraising and communications team and support the growth of
the group’s public programs. Learn more at http://www.frlt.org/careers.

Visit http://www.frlt.org to learn more about FRLT and how to get involved.

Information provided by Feather River Land Trust

- Sponsored By -