How do we position humans to thrive alongside nature? Where do we find the compassion to ensure that the green energy buildout does not sacrifice what the biodiversity that creates wonder and beauty in places such as Nevada? At the same time, how do we ensure that we do not lose sight of the people who are most vulnerable and often most affected? Mauricia Baca, State Director for the Nevada Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, shares her vision of a future where compassion and empathy for nature and humans is interwoven. Mauricia M. Baca’s (She/Her/Hers) first outdoor experiences were with her dad, who hiked with her on his back in the mountains of Mexico. Ms. Baca moved to Nevada in 2005 to work with TNC, serving first as the Truckee River Project Manager and then leading the southern Nevada office. Ms. Baca has 30 years of experience working across a wide range of environmental issues and took over the helm as State Director for the Nevada Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in November 2020. Previously, Ms. Baca served as Get Outdoors Nevada Executive Director for 10 years, and as a trial attorney for the U.S. DOJ (2000-2004) in the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Ms. Baca’s served as a summer associate for the Natural Resources Defense Council and Environmental Defense Fund while in law school, canvassed for Greenpeace in high school, and worked as an organizer for the NY Public Interest Research Group’s Straphanger’s Campaign. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx