Phil
Hanceford

In Memoriam
Phil Hanceford's headshot

Zach Bright

Phil Hanceford, who was an institution at The Wilderness Society and in the broader conservation community, passed away in August 2022.

Phil worked tirelessly for over 15 years to protect some of the most iconic public lands in the West – from Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments to conservation areas in the Pacific Northwest, the Mojave Desert, and countless other places. Phil devoted his time, enormous talent, and good humor to anyone who asked for it - from the smallest local community groups to the most powerful national organizations, from partner coalitions to government agencies searching for solutions to intractable problems, and from seasoned public lands experts to law students forging their own paths. Phil had an incredibly joyful, positive influence on all he touched. All of us at The Wilderness Society, and everyone who knew Phil, will forever remember his dogged determination, his deep expertise, and his kindness to others. He leaves behind a legacy of protected public lands that will be a testament to his incredible work for generations to come.