Katherine Jo (Kathy) Barton died unexpectedly on February 14, 2026. She had just turned 71 in January. 

Kathy loved the environment. She loved bird watching, hiking, rafting, and just being outdoors. Her career focused almost entirely on issues related to the environment. Her first job was with the Izaak Walton League and then she joined The Land Trust Alliance as COO and helped it grow into a strong national organization. 

Mid-career she earned a law degree from Georgetown University and immediately got a job as an appellate attorney in The Environment Division of the US Department of Justice. She retired in 2017. But her deep interest in the environment remained strong.

Kathy is survived by her husband, RIck Maurer, and her two sisters, Anne Sondheim and Susan Barton. And many friends and acquaintances who remember her as a great person to be around. They all miss her.