Melina Mahood is a conservation policy and funding professional committed to protecting California’s landscapes through collaboration, advocacy, and community engagement. Raised in Northern California, she developed a deep connection to the public lands that make the region so special and this connection guides her work today.

Melina earned her degree in Public and International Affairs with a certificate in Environmental Studies from Princeton University, where she researched climate policy and land management. Her senior thesis examined domestic wild horse policy, reflecting her broader interest in the intersection of conservation, law, and public policy. After graduating, she gained hands-on legal and operational experience as a Legal Analyst at Dovel & Luner, LLP in Santa Monica before joining the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County as Conservation Policy and Funding Coordinator.

At the Land Trust, Melina advances conservation priorities by securing funding, developing and tracking policy initiatives, and building partnerships that strengthen the organization’s impact. She brings a holistic approach to her work, believing that securing a climate-resilient future for all requires equity-centered strategies that sustainably grow the economy, uplift communities, and protect vital ecosystems and species.