Sarah McLain, J.D.

Sarah was elected to the board in 2025. Born and raised in Socorro, New Mexico, Sarah began visiting Bosque del Apache NWR as a young child. These early visits to the Refuge established her love for the natural world, public lands, and wildlife. Sarah graduated from New Mexico Tech in 2017 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Science and Biology. She then graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico School of Law in May 2021, where she focused on Natural Resources and Environmental Law. During law school, she interned with the USFWS Water Resources Division, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)– Office of the Solicitor, and the Utton Transboundary Resources Center. 

In her positions with DOI and USFWS, she researched and analyzed state and federal water rights issues across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. At the Utton Center, she published a paper analyzing policies and regulations on produced water management from the oil and natural gas industry in New Mexico.  Upon graduation from law school and passing the bar exam, Sarah was first an associate attorney at Aldridge, Hammar, & Wexler, P.A.

Following her time in private practice, she worked for DOI- Office of the Solicitor.  Sarah has published many articles, volunteered with Socorro youth, and served on the Amigos de la Sevilleta Board of Directors. Sarah will utilize her experience and education in the law and environmental sciences to help Friends better support Bosque del Apache NWR.