As the newly appointed Executive Director of the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), Keith Ray (RU-2006) leads conservation efforts across three states, overseeing nearly 8,000 acres on 35 properties. The organization blends environmental stewardship, research, science education, and public recreation. Under his leadership, the nonprofit recently completed the planting of half a million longleaf pine trees on 500 acres — a major step in restoring one of the Southeast’s most endangered ecosystems.
Ray credits Reinhardt with helping to shape his journey. As an undergraduate, he discovered his interests. “I started gaining my knowledge of the natural world while I was a student at Reinhardt,” Ray said. “The biology program was so immersive in the natural histories that it led me on the path to want to learn more and more.” Additionally, Ray credits his mentor, former Reinhardt Biology Professor Dr. Steve Powers, with sparking a passion for freshwater fish research and for providing research opportunities.
After graduating from Reinhardt, Ray earned a master’s degree in biology from Auburn University. Again, his appetite for learning and discovery propelled him beyond the classroom. He conducted work across South America, discovering three new fish species previously unknown to science. He also explored biodiversity in the Congo River Basin in Africa and across North America. “I spent 8.5 years at Auburn because I was having such a good time learning,” he laughed. “I wasn’t always focused on my research — I was focused on learning from everyone else’s research, too.”
In 2015, Ray returned to Reinhardt as an educator. For seven and a half years, he served as an instructor of biology, combining field expertise with a love for teaching. Ray led students outside of the classroom to apply field biology academics to ecosystems in the area. “It was wonderful to have a place like Reinhardt where I could facilitate hands-on skill building,” he said. “I stayed connected to my professional network so I could keep learning and pass that on to the students.”
Simultaneously, Ray began volunteering with SE Trust. His efforts quickly evolved. “Because of the experience helping to manage Reinhardt’s science department as lab coordinator, I grew in my leadership capabilities,” Ray explained. “The Southeastern Trust’s projects needed someone who could translate the science.” He joined the board and then became director of conservation, translating the implications of actions, such as opening bike trails and creating picnic areas. After nearly three years in that role, he became Executive Director on May 1.
“It’s a perfect fit. I have always been interested not only in teaching people about conservation, but how to save critters and plants. When I first got involved with the Southeastern Trust, I started seeing how I could take my academic life and turn it into real-world impact. My goal is to grow the number of communities we serve and create park and conservation lands where people can enjoy nature.”
-By Suzy Alstrin
