Elizabeth Betancourt joined the Department of Conservation as Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor in 2021. Throughout her work, Elizabeth integrates a passion for cross-sector innovation and science-based discovery with natural pragmatism and a proclivity for solutions, building community economic and climate resilience to chart a path forward in challenging resource decisions. From building the State’s investments in California Tribes to identifying important critical minerals policies, Elizabeth depends on a diverse and dedicated network of co-conspirators to move California resource policy to better reflect the reality of our interconnected world and the holistic perspective demanded to address climate change. Elizabeth has an MS in Watershed Science (Colorado State University) and BS in Environmental Biology and Management (UC Davis). To stay busy, she owns a small farm with her husband operating educational programs for underserved youth.