Fear, loathing, love

Kristina Ortez, executive director of the Taos Land Trust, on motivation, self-care, compromise and environmental advocacy

The following conversation took place February 14, 2019, between Kristina Ortez, and writer and photographer Jim O’donnell. Ortez and O’donnell have been friendsfor over five years. O’donnell currently works part-time as the communications and policy director for the Taos Land Trust.

JIM O’DONNELL (JOD): We hear the phrase “the radical middle” a lot in New Mexico. It’s catchy. But is there anything to that?

Kristina Ortez (KO): When you’re in the business of protecting land and water there are times when we have to rely on compromise. I struggle to find a way to talk to people who have completely opposite views of mine, but I increasingly recognize that my job is to focus on the middle. It’s radical. And I have to tell you it hurts.