Our Staff
Working Lands Trust Team

Michael “Mikey” Nye Fulk
Executive Director

Michael “Mikey” Nye Fulk
Executive Director
Ms. Michael “Mikey” Nye Fulk has worked in the wildlife conservation arena for over 20 years. After graduating from North Carolina State University, where she earned a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science with a minor in Environmental Science, Ms. Fulk worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Glasgow, Montana. During her tenure, she documented various prairie species such as the burrowing owl, black-tailed prairie dogs, prairie falcons, and the endangered black-footed ferret. Following her work with the BLM, Ms. Fulk served as a wildlife biologist in Wright, Wyoming for a private wildlife consulting firm. She worked with energy companies, state, and federal officials to conduct wildlife surveys, document species of concern on coal bed methane and coal mine project areas, and completed project assessment reports. She also ensured proper land reclamation practices were in place.
Ms. Fulk then spent nearly 13 years as the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Region 6 Access Coordinator where she oversaw the hunting access program on 1.2 million acres in NE Montana and worked closely with over 300 landowners to provide access opportunities to hunters from around the world. For her efforts in Montana, she was recognized by the Montana Wildlife Federation for improving landowner/hunter relations and was presented with the MFWP Hunting Heritage Award for her work advancing the state’s hunting access programs.
Her career brought her back to her home state of North Carolina where she served as the Southern Piedmont Hunter Education Coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, teaching wildlife and hunter education to youth and adults across 15 counties. Ms. Fulk then served as the Associate Director for Three Rivers Land Trust based out of Salisbury, NC and later as President of Conservation for The Barn Group. Her work in the land trust arena has contributed to thousands of acres of permanently protected through conservation easements in NC and across the US. Currently, Ms. Fulk serves as the Governor Appointee for the NC Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council and as a Board member of the Lexington Tourism-Recreation Investment Partnership.
Ms. Fulk then spent nearly 13 years as the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Region 6 Access Coordinator where she oversaw the hunting access program on 1.2 million acres in NE Montana and worked closely with over 300 landowners to provide access opportunities to hunters from around the world. For her efforts in Montana, she was recognized by the Montana Wildlife Federation for improving landowner/hunter relations and was presented with the MFWP Hunting Heritage Award for her work advancing the state’s hunting access programs.
Her career brought her back to her home state of North Carolina where she served as the Southern Piedmont Hunter Education Coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, teaching wildlife and hunter education to youth and adults across 15 counties. Ms. Fulk then served as the Associate Director for Three Rivers Land Trust based out of Salisbury, NC and later as President of Conservation for The Barn Group. Her work in the land trust arena has contributed to thousands of acres of permanently protected through conservation easements in NC and across the US. Currently, Ms. Fulk serves as the Governor Appointee for the NC Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council and as a Board member of the Lexington Tourism-Recreation Investment Partnership.

Lisa Shealy
Associate Director

Lisa Shealy
Associate Director
Lisa began her career in 2005 with Lowcountry Land Trust (LLT), a local non-profit land conservation organization based in Charleston, SC. She then returned to her home state of Georgia to continue her work in land conservation. “Conservation has always been a calling and a passion for me, and I have always loved being a part of the non-profit and land trust communities,” she explains. After being a part of the significant growth and success of Lowcountry Land Trust, and being mentored by some of the best conservationists in South Carolina, Lisa wanted to find a way to share her experience and skills to support other land trusts and conservation groups, particularly those in the earlier stages of development or in the process of growth. Additionally, she saw the need for many organizations to fill a temporary gap in capacity due to special projects or other timely opportunities and needs. Thus, Peace of Land was born with the vision of supporting land trusts and other partners in land conservation. Today, Lisa has moved back to SC to continue her work.
Lisa has a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Ecology from the University of Georgia. She held brief positions for county, state, and federal agencies while gaining experience during her college career, including Gwinnett County Public Utilities, SC Department of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, and the US Forest Service. Lisa is also recognized for her GIS education, experience, and achievements as a certified GIS Professional (GISP) through the international certification program at GIS Certification Institute (GISCI).
Lisa has a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Ecology from the University of Georgia. She held brief positions for county, state, and federal agencies while gaining experience during her college career, including Gwinnett County Public Utilities, SC Department of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, and the US Forest Service. Lisa is also recognized for her GIS education, experience, and achievements as a certified GIS Professional (GISP) through the international certification program at GIS Certification Institute (GISCI).

Ryan Manning
Conservation Director

Ryan Manning
Conservation Director
Originally from Connecticut, Ryan has lived in Western North Carolina for over 30 years. In 2007 he graduated with a degree in GIS from Haywood Community College and a year later he began his career in conservation at Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District. Over the course of his 15 years with the Haywood District, Ryan was responsible for the GIS needs of numerous District projects. These projects allowed him to work with local, state and federal government, various non-profit organizations, and of course numerous landowners and farmers.
In 2017, Ryan took over management of the Farmland Preservation Program. During his tenure with the District, with the cooperation of the NCDA-ADFPTF and the USDA-NRCS, and many forward thinking farmers, Haywood Soil and Water was fortunate enough to receive over 30 Farmland Preservation Conservation Easements, resulting in the protection of over 2,000 acres of prime farmland. In this position, Ryan also served as the clerk to the Haywood County Agricultural Board and managed the Haywood County Voluntary Agricultural District program.
In 2017, Ryan took over management of the Farmland Preservation Program. During his tenure with the District, with the cooperation of the NCDA-ADFPTF and the USDA-NRCS, and many forward thinking farmers, Haywood Soil and Water was fortunate enough to receive over 30 Farmland Preservation Conservation Easements, resulting in the protection of over 2,000 acres of prime farmland. In this position, Ryan also served as the clerk to the Haywood County Agricultural Board and managed the Haywood County Voluntary Agricultural District program.

Reva Orr
Conversation Assosiate

Reva Orr
Conversation Assosiate
Reva Orr is a North Carolina native raised by a military family. 1 generation removed from family farming, Reva grew up with a curiosity and passion to find solutions for families seeking to protect their farms for generations to come. She believes offering knowledge and opportunities have a great impact on protecting the most important industry, agriculture.
For 10 years Reva was a high school agriculture educator. She graduated from Mount Olive College in 2013 with a BS in Agriculture Education. Reva taught Agriculture Education to young people in Cumberland, Sampson, Scotland and Bladen County, NC, after finishing college. In 2023, Reva was teacher of the year for Bladen County Schools. At Harrells Christian Academy one of her most prized accomplishments was aiding in the establishment of “farm to table” practices for Harrells Christian Academy’s cafeteria system. As an Ag teacher, she helped students in agriculture fields, wrote and received grants, revived student-led FFA Chapters, and managed campus greenhouses, orchards, and small animals. Reva believes strongly in the future of agriculture and its continued existence through the education of today’s youth.
Reva is currently the Co-Owner of the Flower Market on Main in St. Pauls, NC. She and her business partner have advocated for keeping agriculture industries alive in small towns and encouraging communities to support their agriculture vendors.
Reva believes in the words of the FFA Creed and aims to mimic those as she truly believes that “American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life”.
For 10 years Reva was a high school agriculture educator. She graduated from Mount Olive College in 2013 with a BS in Agriculture Education. Reva taught Agriculture Education to young people in Cumberland, Sampson, Scotland and Bladen County, NC, after finishing college. In 2023, Reva was teacher of the year for Bladen County Schools. At Harrells Christian Academy one of her most prized accomplishments was aiding in the establishment of “farm to table” practices for Harrells Christian Academy’s cafeteria system. As an Ag teacher, she helped students in agriculture fields, wrote and received grants, revived student-led FFA Chapters, and managed campus greenhouses, orchards, and small animals. Reva believes strongly in the future of agriculture and its continued existence through the education of today’s youth.
Reva is currently the Co-Owner of the Flower Market on Main in St. Pauls, NC. She and her business partner have advocated for keeping agriculture industries alive in small towns and encouraging communities to support their agriculture vendors.
Reva believes in the words of the FFA Creed and aims to mimic those as she truly believes that “American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life”.

Janine McLawhorn
Conservation Easement Coordinator

Janine McLawhorn
Conservation Easement Coordinator
Janine McLawhorn is a proud native of Pitt County, now residing in Johnston County. With over four decades of experience in the legal and real estate fields, she has been a paralegal since 1981 and is certified by the NC State Bar. Throughout her career, she has specialized in title searches and real estate closings, with extensive hands-on experience in these areas from the very beginning.
In 2023, Janine retired from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA), where she spent twenty-three years focusing on title searches and completing easement acquisitions for key programs such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
Janine's professional journey reflects a deep commitment to precision and expertise in real estate law, with a focus on farmland preservation and she remains dedicated to the principles that have guided her career.
In 2023, Janine retired from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA), where she spent twenty-three years focusing on title searches and completing easement acquisitions for key programs such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
Janine's professional journey reflects a deep commitment to precision and expertise in real estate law, with a focus on farmland preservation and she remains dedicated to the principles that have guided her career.

Faith Davidson
Administrative Associate

Faith Davidson
Administrative Associate
Faith Lyons Davidson is a disabled Army Veteran and mother of two amazing girls. Following a long military family background from all branches of service, she was born and raised outside of Fort Bragg, N.C. and became an Air Traffic Control Operator for the 1/130th Advanced Operations Base, receiving her Aviation wings with honors.
Faith has always been driven to work hard, fight for what is right, and defend those who cannot protect and help themselves, teaching her children to do the same. There is not a moment where Faith will not put her all into what she does and constantly thanks the Lord for the blessing of her supportive and loving family as well as the opportunities set before her.
Faith is an enthusiastic supporter of sustaining farms and other working lands and even plans a homestead for her family. To her, these treasures must be maintained and protected, not only for the present, but generations to come. It is an important endeavor in her heart that people are educated and understand the precious nature of these lands and the perils of not defending them. She hopes to support the Working Lands Trust in every way possible, learning and growing with them, and is honored to be partnered with such a committed team.
Faith has always been driven to work hard, fight for what is right, and defend those who cannot protect and help themselves, teaching her children to do the same. There is not a moment where Faith will not put her all into what she does and constantly thanks the Lord for the blessing of her supportive and loving family as well as the opportunities set before her.
Faith is an enthusiastic supporter of sustaining farms and other working lands and even plans a homestead for her family. To her, these treasures must be maintained and protected, not only for the present, but generations to come. It is an important endeavor in her heart that people are educated and understand the precious nature of these lands and the perils of not defending them. She hopes to support the Working Lands Trust in every way possible, learning and growing with them, and is honored to be partnered with such a committed team.