ABOUT US
Countryside Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust committed to protecting and connecting greenspace in and near the Tunkhannock Creek watershed for the public benefit, now and for future generations.
Countryside Conservancy is a member of the Land Trust Alliance and of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. Countryside Conservancy is also an accredited land trust through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Countryside Conservancy was established in 1994 by citizens concerned about the loss of distinctive features in our regional landscape in northeastern Pennsylvania. Our non-profit organization works within Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties to preserve lands through cooperative agreements with landowners and through direct acquisition with funding from both public and private resources.
Permanent Protection
To date, the Conservancy has permanently protected nearly 2,000 acres of lands and waters in northeast Pennsylvania. Some lands have been protected through a private agreement with landowners, others through acquisition and ownership by the Conservancy. Lands owned by the Conservancy are open for public education and recreation.
The Conservancy has also converted over 5 miles of the former Northern Electric Trolley right-of-way in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties into a non-motorized recreational trail.
Our Staff
Bill Kern
Executive Director
Executive Director since 2010, he holds a BA in Biology from Ithaca College and an MA in Environmental Studies from Brown University. Prior to joining the Conservancy, he worked for Green Energy Outreach Services (GEOS), a public relations and grassroots organizing firm specializing in the renewable energy industry. As a native of Wyoming County, he enjoys mountain biking, camping and hiking with his wife, Nora, and their daughter, Hazel.
CHERYL ELLSWORTH
TRAIL COORDINATOR
CHRIS BUTT
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Chris lives in Glenburn with her fiancé, Bryan Shafer, their daughter Emily, and their cat, Bobby. As frequent users of the Trolley Trail and many of our preserves, Chris and her family are very familiar with the work and mission of the Conservancy. When not working, she volunteers her time as a coach for the local high school mountain bike team (Keystone Composite), and enjoys hiking and biking in Vermont and the Adirondacks.
Board of Directors
Countryside Conservancy’s Board of Directors is a hard-working, all-volunteer body that carries much of the organization’s workload. Our serving Board members are:
President:
Pat Acker
Vice President:
Joseph Wright
2nd Vice President:
Alan Dakey
Treasurer:
Mike Williamson
Secretary:
Michelle Tierney
Bonnie Alco
Dorrance Belin (emeritus)
Bill Booth
Warren Breig
Will Chamberlin
Alan Dakey
Jim Dougherty
Jim Frankowski
Kathleen Graff
Kim Kost Scanlon
Gretchen Ludders
Matt Mackie
Abby Peck
Elliot Ross
Brian Simakaski
Bill Tersteeg
Jesse Vipond
Joseph Wright
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