Press release by Westmoreland Land Trust shared 15 January 2026

Betsy Retirement Ceremony, Photo credit Westmoreland Land Trust

The Westmoreland Land Trust (WLT) has named Leanna Bird as its new Executive Director, following a five-month national search. Ms. Bird brings to WLT more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit management, program development, grant writing and fundraising, and community partnership-building across the fields of environmental conservation and public health in Southwestern Pennsylvania. She holds a Master of Public Policy and Management and Master of Arts in Teaching, both from the University of Pittsburgh. In her role as Executive Director, Leanna will lead the organization’s land protection efforts, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision for preserving Westmoreland County’s unique heritage for generations to come.

Leanna succeeds Betsy Aiken, who retired in 2025 after serving as WLT Executive Director for eight years and as a member of the WLT Board of Directors for 10 years prior to that. Upon her retirement, Betsy was honored with a county proclamation and was also inducted into the WLT Hall of Honor in gratitude for her many accomplishments. Under Betsy’s leadership, the WLT conserved two major properties in Westmoreland County, the 350-acre St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Unity Township and the 96-acre Schwarz farm in Hempfield Township. Betsy also guided efforts to preserve land for the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, several county parks and the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in North Huntingdon Township.

More about Leanna Bird

Leanna Bird began her career with the Student Conservation Association—a national nonprofit dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders—coordinating youth conservation and trail restoration programs in city and county parks in underserved communities across Allegheny County. She later served as program and communications coordinator for the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, where she developed recreation and volunteer programs, managed community partnerships, and led the organization’s marketing and outreach.

Directly prior to joining the Land Trust, Leanna worked at Allegheny Health Network Center for Inclusion Health, securing funding support for initiatives that provide low-barrier healthcare to underserved communities and populations, such as people living with substance use disorder, mental illness, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Leanna currently serves on the Board of Directors for Women for a Healthy Environment and has previously served on boards for the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Cambria County Library System, and Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority. She has also supported youth wellness as a community coordinator for the Healthy Kids Running Series – Johnstown.

More about Betsy Aiken

Betsy was a part of the original steering committee that formed the Westmoreland Land Trust (WLT) in 2008 at the request of the then Westmoreland County Commissioners. She served on the Westmoreland Land Trust Board of Directors until 2017 when she stepped down to become WLT Executive Director. Under her leadership, WLT was able to utilize grant funding from foundations, charitable trusts, and numerous state agencies to expand WLT’s conserved properties, launch an innovative art and nature park at Schwarz Farm, develop a thriving native wildflower meadow at Twin Lakes Park, and preserve the unique history of the St Xavier property in a documented oral history. Betsy has also been responsible for launching Westmoreland County’s first nature backpack lending program as well as providing children’s nature workshops to both schools and libraries.

Betsy and Leanna, , Photo credit Westmoreland Land Trust

More About the Westmoreland Land Trust

Founded in 2007, the Westmoreland Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to conserving land in Westmoreland County that has ecological, scenic, cultural, or recreational importance—and making it available for public benefit and enjoyment. Since its founding, WLT has permanently protected over 700 acres of land through purchase or donation, often working in partnership with municipalities, conservation agencies, community organizations, and residents. WLT works to preserve natural landscapes, protect wildlife habitat, and safeguard watersheds—while also offering public access on its properties through hiking trails and nature programming, as well as environmental education workshops in Westmoreland County schools and libraries.