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The Central & Western chapter staff may be a small bunch, but these 14 New Yorkers are are responsible for the protection and restoration of over half of the Empire State. Combining a wealth of talent with a passion and dedication to the mission of The Nature Conservancy, this group of conservationists are making sure our natural treasures stick around for the next generation.
Read on and get to know some of the people that make our work possible - and then plan a visit to some of our beautiful preserves and trails!
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Darran Crabtree, Ph.D.
Darran wears two hats for one cause: he is director of conservation science and works for both the Central & Western and Pennsylvania Chapters of The Nature Conservancy on the French Creek project. His work evaluating threats and strategies and determining viability of conservation targets has led to new perspectives which we now apply across larger scales in the Ohio River Basin, the Great Lakes, and Chiapas, Mexico.
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Kristin France, Ph.D.
As senior conservation scientist, Kristin helps guide where we work and develops effective conservation strategies. Kristin's field research has taken her from Antarctica to Tanzania to southern Virginia — but now she's happily settled back home in upstate New York (and reportedly still loved the snow even after surviving her first upstate winter in a decade)! She also enjoys exploring by foot, bicycle, or kayak and takes dance classes.
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Gretchen Holtz.
Gretchen is a third-generation member of the Conservancy: her great aunt (a teacher and amateur naturalist) became a member shortly after the founding in the early 1950s. As office manager, Gretchen supports the staff, coordinates volunteer activities, and assists with finance and operations. She is an avid canoeist, both tandem and solo, and enjoys backcountry trips with tent, husband and dog. She attended college at SUNY Potsdam.
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Jim Howe
As executive director, Jim Howe leads the Chapter's efforts to protect New York's forests, freshwater, and and natural communities. Jim has a passion for nature and a broad expertise in public policy and natural resources. He serves as an advisor to other conservation groups and is co-author of Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities. Jim enjoys canoeing, playing the banjo, and spending time with his two children.
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David Klein
David Klein, senior field representative, has worked for the Conservancy for 17 years, including 12 years as director of the CWNY Chapter. Today, he works with a bi-national team of partners to develop and implement a conservation program for Lake Ontario. In his spare time, David is a birder, kayaker, and sings in a concert choir. He recently took up tennis at the urging of his wife, and is now struggling with his back-hand.
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Chris Lajewski
Chris is the northern New York land steward based in our Pulaski office. He manages stewardship activities at several of our most unique nature preserves, including the Alvar Barrens, Rome Sand Plains, and Eastern Lake Ontario dunes and wetlands. Chris has a background in environmental education and is a certified nature guide. Chris loves spending time outdoors with his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
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Liz Marr
Liz has been director of finance and operations with the chapter since early 2007. A veteran accountant, Liz has been active in organic gardening and homegrown sustainability for the last decade. Liz has three kids and enjoys hiking, birding, and quilting during the long Rochester winters.
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Patrick McGlew
Patrick heads the Niagara Frontier project out of the Cattaraugus, NY field office. He applies his background in forestry to help strengthen understanding and cooperation among forest resource managers and conservationists. Pat serves as deputy mayor for his village and on several area conservation committees. In his spare time, he works to restore a stately Victorian home, which he plans to add to the National Register of Historic Places.
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Zachary Odell
Zachary Odell directs the chapter's protection program out of our Rochester Office. He works with landowners to secure conservation easements and management agreements. He also educates the public about the many ways they can conserve their land. Zachary enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and canoeing.
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Michelle Peach
Minnesota winters just didn't have enough snow for Michelle, which is how she ended up moving to Northern New York and becoming the Tug Hill project director. She manages our 14,400-acre Tug Hill conservation area and works with local partners to promote landscape-scale conservation. She feels fortunate to have a job that allows her to go hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, and camping as part of her regular duties.
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Kathleen Rogers
Kathleen Rogers leads fundraising efforts as director of philanthropy. She brings more than 20 years experience in development, sales, and marketing, and has owned her own business, Chez Kathleen. A real mountain lover, Kathleen has hiked the Rockies and mountain ranges in Canada, Europe, and the Cinque Terre on the Italian coast. She enjoys taking her two children on whitewater rafting trips and is a passionate gardener.
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Gregg Sargis
As program stewardship ecologist, Gregg coordinates stewardship and ecological management activities across the chapter. These include managing invasive species, maintaining preserves, and protecting rare species and communities. Currently, Gregg is designing and building Rob’s Trail, a memorial trail in the Western Finger Lakes. Gregg enjoys recreating outdoors and is a devoted Buffalo Bills fan.
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Rosanna Sutherland
Rosanna is a conservation assistant based in our Northern New York office. She has worn many hats in her four years with the Conservancy, but you'll now find her monitoring conservation easements and managing our white-tail deer hunt program. Rosanna spent several years in Texas but was glad to return to her roots in Central New York. As anyone on staff will attest, her main passion is her "pup" Yoshi.
For More Information about the Central and Western New York Chapter:
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © R. Hays Bell (CWNY staff); Photo © Paul Johnston (white trillium); © The Nature Conservancy (all staff photos).
