The Trust for Public Land Announces Former NPS Deputy Director Mickey Fearn joins National Board of Directors

The Trust for Public Land announced today that Mickey Fearn has joined the organization’s national Board of Directors. Fearn was elected to the board on November 19, 2020. 

Mickey Fearn has been a public servant and parks, recreation, and conservation professional for over 50 years, working with local, state, and national governments.  

Previously, Fearn served as the National Park Service’s Deputy Director (2008-2013), and was a long-time employee of the City of Seattle where he held a variety of positions, including: Director of Innovation, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Leadership Program, Manager of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, and Director of Communication and Citizen Engagement in the Department of Parks and Recreation. 

“Parks are an important place where people, especially young people, can connect with nature, each other and their community,” Fearn said. “I’m excited by the progress that’s been made since I joined the board just last year and I look forward to continuing to expand park access in the communities that need it the most.” 

Fearn led the creation of the architecture to end youth violence in the City of Seattle, and developed programs connecting young people with nature.  He was also a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 12 years, a Community Outreach Specialist for the Governor of California and the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Coordinator of Special Projects, Community Outreach and Community Organization for the Mayor of Oakland (CA). 

Fearn received his bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration from California State University, Sacramento and his master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Oregon. He is currently a Professor of Practice at North Carolina State University’s School of Natural Resources, teaching a class on diversity and equity in the field of parks and recreation. 

Parks are an essential part of improving public health, protecting vulnerable communities from the impacts of the climate crisis, and building strong community cohesion. And yet, 100 million people, including 28 million kids, do not have access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk from home. The parks we do have are not equitable, as parks serving primarily Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other communities of color are half the size and serve five times more people per acre than parks in primarily white neighborhoods.  

To bring health, climate and community benefits of the outdoors to all, The Trust for Public Land is leading a coalition of more than 200 community organizations to push for a one-time, historic $500 million investment in park equity a future federal stimulus. In addition, The Trust for Public Land is challenging the private sector to invest $50 million for the new Equitable Communities Fund to energize and accelerate the efforts of historically marginalized communities to create parks and open space across 62 communities where funding can be used immediately to help expand access.  

About The Trust for Public Land 

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org. 

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