A native of Jacksonville, Illinois, Nicole Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Her degree consisted of a double major in Physical Geography and Psychology. Nicole continued her education at the University of Illinois at Springfield, where she received a Masters of Arts degree in Environmental Studies, with a specialized focus on land use planning. After graduation, Nicole worked for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, where she assisted in implementation of the Illinois Emissions Reduction Market System, through creating and presenting educational seminars on the system.
In 1997, Nicole accepted a position at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, as the Environmental Policy Specialist. Since that time, she has been promoted and currently holds the position of Director of Governmental Relations, responsible for the Conservancy’s growth management program. She is the Conservancy’s spokesperson for policy issues related to growth management, testify at local, regional, and state public hearings. Nicole has worked on local issues, such as the Collier County Rural Lands Stewardship Area, the Hendry County Rural and Agricultural Lands Study and the Lee County Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource Area Overlay.
Professional Affiliations and Board Positions
- Past Board Member & Previous Chair, NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COLLIER COUNTY
- ESTUARY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, Past Board Member
- KEEP COLLIER BEAUTIFUL, Past Board Member
- FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA PANTHER REFUGE, Past Board Member
- LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, 2008
- LEADERSHIP COLLIER 2006
