On September 1, 2016, The Delaware Highlands Conservancy welcomed Diane Rosencrance as its new Executive Director. Formerly a Senior Director at Natural Lands Trust, Diane has an extensive background in land protection initiatives and has been an active partner with the Conservancy in many of its regional activities.
“Diane’s twenty years’ experience in the field of land conservation positions her uniquely to lead the Conservancy through our next phase of growth,” said Karen Lutz, President of the Board of Directors.
“I’m excited to take on this new challenge as the Executive Director, and am very much looking forward to personally building relationships with the Conservancy’s partners and communities in New York and expanding relationships in Pennsylvania,” Diane stated.
The Conservancy’s Board of Directors thanks retiring Executive Director Sue Currier for her dedication to and leadership of the organization for the past 13 years. Under Sue’s leadership, the Conservancy grew from a staff of one full time employee to a cohesive team of six professional staff members, dedicated contractors, and a large contingent of volunteers. The Conservancy has created numerous productive partnerships with conservation-oriented entities on both sides of the River.
During Sue’s tenure, the Conservancy has protected more than 14,000 acres, established offices in Pennsylvania and New York, become an accredited land trust, and successfully merged with the Eagle Institute. The Conservancy now garners broad-based support from membership contributions, sold-out annual Farm-to-Table fund-raising dinners, and special events like 2014’s gala celebration of our 20th Anniversary, held at Bethel Woods.
Sue commented on her plans: “I love the Conservancy and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team. The best years for the Conservancy are ahead. I look forward to interacting with the Conservancy and with the community in new ways after my retirement.”
Diane joins the rest of the Conservancy staff, including Amanda Subjin, Conservation Programs Team Lead; Bethany Keene, Outreach and Development Team Lead; Jason Zarnowski, Administrative Coordinator; Susan LaCroix, Land Protection Coordinator; and Mary Anne Carletta, Stewardship Associate. Learn more about the Conservancy staff here.
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy works with landowners and communities to protect the working farms and forests, clean waters, eagles and other wildlife, and sustainable local economies of the Upper Delaware River region. For more information on how we connect people to the lands where they live, work, and play, visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.