Courtney Lyons-Garcia began her role as Executive Director for the Partnership in September of 2023. She is a nonprofit professional with more than twenty-five years of experience in public lands. Prior to joining PNTS, she served as the Executive Director of Big Bend Conservancy, the nonprofit fundraising partner of Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, in the Development Department at National Parks Conservation Association, and most recently as the Executive Director of Public Lands Foundation, a partner of the Bureau of Land Management in the responsible use of America’s public lands.

Throughout her career, Lyons-Garcia has worked extensively on issues related to public land stewardship, trail development, coalition building, federal partnership, advocacy, fundraising and communications. She works to build and protect trails in her own community through the Great Springs Project and Comal Trails Alliance.