Conserving Kansas- Matt Bain

Tanner Colvin
Apr 17
2 min read

Matt Bain is the Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, where he leads statewide efforts to protect and sustain the state’s remaining grasslands, waterways, and wildlife habitats. A western Kansas native, Bain grew up on a farm in Ness County, where his early experiences hunting, fishing, and working the land shaped a lifelong commitment to conservation. After earning his degree from Fort Hays State University, he spent a decade with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks as a private lands biologist before joining The Nature Conservancy more than a decade ago. Today, he supports conservation teams across the state, helping landowners and partners balance ecological health with real-world agricultural needs.

Bain’s approach to conservation is rooted in a simple but powerful philosophy: it’s not about locking land away—it’s about using it wisely so it can sustain future generations. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with farmers and ranchers to build practical, sustainable solutions that protect natural resources while strengthening local operations. From managing working ranches to leading multi-state grassland initiatives, Bain has seen firsthand both the progress made and the challenges ahead, including the rapid loss of native prairie across the Great Plains. His work focuses on creating “win-win” outcomes where conservation supports both the land and the people who depend on it.

Deeply connected to Kansas’ landscape and heritage, Bain is passionate about preserving not just ecosystems, but the way of life tied to them. He believes that fostering a strong “land ethic”—a respect for and responsibility to the land—is key to the future of conservation. Whether working with partners across the state, raising his own family with those same values, or advocating for the importance of grasslands and species like the prairie chicken, Bain continues to champion a vision of Kansas where natural resources, communities, and future generations can thrive together.