Lancaster Farmland Trust has hired Laura Brenner as communications coordinator. In her role, Brenner will be responsible for internal and external communications; education and outreach; event and volunteer management; and other activities that further the mission of the organization. Brenner has extensive agricultural experience, having worked both in the public and private read more

Lancaster Farmland Trust is pleased to announce the promotion of Amanda Hickle to director of development and communications. In this position, Amanda is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing fundraising and communications strategies that further the mission of Lancaster Farmland Trust and ensure the long-term viability of the organization. Amanda had read more

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association welcomes its newest staff member, GIS specialist Josh VanBrakle. The first of Josh's many tasks is to establish a statewide GIS database of privately conserved lands and develop a system for keeping it current (while minimizing any administrative burdens for land trusts). Before joining PALTA, Josh worked as the research and evaluation read more

Following an extensive national search, the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary board of directors selected Sean Grace as the president of the world’s oldest and largest member-supported raptor conservation organization in the world. Grace will assume duties at Hawk Mountain in January 2018. Grace, who most recently served as both the center director at Audubon Sharon and leader for read more

On Thursday, the Pocono Heritage Land Trust named Cindy Miano its new executive director and announced four new members of its board of directors. The new board members include: Kathleen Flynn of Paradise Falls (founder of TDE Marketing) Rita Lacey of Kunkletown (founder of Close the Loop) Bill McGlone of Bangor (owner/operator of the grocery store Main Street read more

Betsy Aiken of Export has been named executive director of the Westmoreland Land Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of open space in Westmoreland County. Aiken, a well-known and long-time community volunteer, has served as a member of the board of directors of the Westmoreland Land Trust since the organization’s founding in 2008. She is stepping read more

PennFuture, the state’s leading watchdog for Pennsylvania’s clean air, pure water, and a healthy climate, announced on October 27 that Jacquelyn Bonomo will serve as the organization’s new president and CEO. Larry J. Schweiger is retiring from the role. Bonomo brings a career’s worth of environmental leadership and conservation efforts that have strengthened and solidified read more

Doug Ayers, a founding member and longtime chairman of North Branch Land Trust, died Tuesday after a struggle with leukemia. Ayers, a veterinarian, ran an animal hospital and nearby emergency clinic. He was also instrumental in preserving the 412-acre Hillside Farms property in Kingston Township, which faced financial difficulties and was threatened by encroaching development. read more

In August, Merill W. Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy announced that Bob VanHorn and longtime board member John Tonzetich are leaving their board positions. VanHorn served as treasurer for the past two years. Tonzetich served on the site/stewardship committee, as an easement monitor, and as advisor for the development of the native pant garden on East Buffalo Township read more

On August 23, Lancaster Farmland Trust announced that Michelle Knoll has joined the staff as land preservation assistant. Michelle comes to the Trust with a Bachelors of Science degree from Juniata College and varied experience in the conservation field. She was previously employed by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. As land preservaton assistant, Michelle's main read more

At the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association's quarterly board and policy meeting on June 13, the Association welcomed two new members to its board of directors: Christopher J. Beichner, president and CEO of Allegheny Land Trust, and Philip R. Wenger, president and CEO of Lancaster County Conservancy. Beichner has more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, non-profit read more

After decades of leadership, Bern Sweeney is stepping as executive director of Stroud Water Research Center. In his new position as distinguished research scientist and president, he will focus on research and continue to help with outreach and fundraising activities. Dave Arscott, who has served as assistant director for seven years, will take over as executive director. Prior read more

Robert C.F. Willson has been elected president of the board of French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust (FPCCT). Willson is a shareholder in the Malvern law firm Lentz, Cantor, and Massey, concentrating his practice in general business representation, construction law, general litigation, and real estate matters. Willson is a lifelong Chester County resident. He is a read more