CLG's staff has many years of experience in conservation real estate and has completed transactions involving over 100,000 acres valued at more than $200 million. In addition to our staff, CLG utilizes a highly skilled network of partners and contractors on its projects including appraisers, attorneys, biologists, GIS specialists, local brokers and others.

KEVIN KNOWLES
CLG’s founder, Kevin Knowles, has worked in the conservation real estate field exclusively since 1989. A licensed California real estate broker, Kevin has extensive experience negotiating, managing and closing complex land and conservation easement projects on behalf of both buyers and sellers. Prior to founding CLG, Kevin was a Project Manager with The Trust for Public Land in San Francisco.

Kevin’s real estate experience also includes commercial brokerage and residential development work for Coldwell Banker Commercial and Signature Properties, respectively. He received a B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University in 1987. Kevin is a California native and avid outdoors enthusiast.

JUSTIN DERBY
Justin Derby joined CLG in 2008 after spending four years in mitigation banking, real estate acquisitions/dispositions, and commercial real estate sales and leasing.  Justin has worked closely with mitigation bank operators and large investment funds to finance and acquire mitigation and conservation banks valued at well over $50 million. 

He has extensive experience with property due diligence, market and financial analysis, asset management, and property marketing/sales.   Justin’s previous employers include Sustainable Environments, ATC Partners, MetLife Real Estate Investment, and CB Richard Ellis.  He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego.