Five years ago, I was sitting in a conference room on the 23rd floor of a downtown office building, presenting quarterly projections to executives who couldn't have cared less. I was burnt out, disconnected, and questioning everything.
That weekend, I took my daughter camping near a river I'd loved as a kid. Except it wasn't the river I remembered. The banks were eroded, the water murky, and the native hardwoods I'd climbed as a boy had been choked out by invasive species.
The Turning Point
Standing there with my daughter, I realized I wanted her to inherit rivers that run clean and forests that thrive—not spreadsheets and strategy decks. I started volunteering with local conservation groups on weekends, and honestly, it felt like coming home.
Within a year, I'd completed certifications in ecology and native plant identification. When BillionTrees posted an opening for Director of Field Operations, I didn't hesitate.
What I've Learned
The work is physically demanding, the pay is modest compared to consulting, and I spend more time in waders than suits. But I've never been happier. Every native tree we plant, every invasive species we remove, every volunteer we train—it all adds up to real, tangible impact.
My daughter is ten now. Last month, she helped plant river birch saplings along the Mississippi. She talks about becoming a conservation biologist. That's the legacy I want to build.
Tags: career change, conservation work, personal story, field operations, why we do this