Carter Rogan has joined the Land Alliance staff as Volunteer Coordinator and Stewardship Associate. Carter grew up in the Smithtown area. He has always been passionate about the environment and started volunteering at his local nature center at age 13. He holds a Master of Professional Studies degree from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is no stranger to the Land Alliance as he served as an O’Neil Steward in 2023 and 2024.

With a background in native species, forest succession and wildlife interactions, Carter loves to spend his time in the woods learning from nature. He is inspired by William Cronon’s essay The Trouble with Wilderness. Carter hopes to connect people with nature by bringing it to them, and by restoring the connection with the environment so many people have lost. As we are stewards of the land, it is important for us to recognize the value in all land and all living things. As William Cronon puts it,“The tree in the garden is in reality no less other, no less worthy of our wonder and respect, than the tree in an ancient forest.  The tree in the garden could easily have sprung from the same seed as the tree in the forest.  Both trees stand apart from us; both share our common world. The special power of the tree in the wilderness is to remind us of this fact. It can teach us to recognize the wildness we did not see in the tree we planted in our own backyard.”

He is excited to be joining our team full time as well as having the opportunity to work with our many amazing volunteers.