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 forester at the Watershed Agricultural Council, a land trust in upstate New York, where he managed the
forest stewardship website MyWoodlot. When he isn’t working, Josh enjoys writing. He is the author of five books, including two for landowners on managing their woods and enhancing wildlife habitat. He also enjoys hiking, kayaking, and taking nature photos with his wife and daughter.