Forget the idea that protecting the environment only happens deep in forests or inside science labs. Imagine helping shape real laws about water, wildlife, renewable energy, and conservation — then traveling across Kansas meeting ranchers, lawmakers, scientists, and community leaders to turn those ideas into action. Imagine a career that let you debate solutions at a state capitol one day, attend a bison roundup the next, and even travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for policies that impact millions of people!
Mandy Frank, Public Policy Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, shares how she combines environmental science, communication, government, and problem-solving to help create policies that protect both people and nature. Mandy explains what a lobbyist really does — turning science, research, and community needs into real laws and policies that help solve environmental challenges like groundwater decline, habitat loss, renewable energy development, and conservation funding. She also shares how her career path took her from teaching high school history in Texas to living abroad in Kazakhstan and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro before ultimately finding her role in environmental policy and advocacy.
Mandy also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how environmental policy actually works in the real world. From organizing an advocacy day where 90 volunteers met directly with lawmakers, to collaborating with 49 conservation organizations across Kansas, to attending bison roundups at the Tallgrass Prairie, her work is fast-paced, people-centered, and constantly changing. Along the way, she highlights the importance of communication, active listening, relationship-building, and staying curious. Whether you enjoy debate, leadership, environmental science, travel, public speaking, organizing events, or solving real-world problems, this presentation shows how careers in public policy can create meaningful change while connecting people, communities, and the environment.