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 WeConservePA. 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 over 2,500 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 5.1 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.
RYLAN COKER
LAND PROTECTION & TRAIL SPECIALIST
Having begun his career at Countryside in 2007, Rylan spent the past 11 years at North Branch Land Trust in Luzerne County. During his time at NBLT, he was involved with the permanent protection of more than 10,000 acres and the development of 6 miles of Rail-Trail. Rylan is originally from Utah and holds a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management from Keystone College. He enjoys biking, hunting and fishing, and lives with his family in Tunkhannock.
AMBER TRUNZO
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Amber lives in East Benton with her husband, two teenagers and dog. She holds an MA in Organizational Management from Misericordia University and a BA in Business Administration from Keystone College. She volunteers in the community and is the President of the Lackawanna Trail Friends of Music Booster Club. She and her family enjoy traveling and hiking, and spend a lot of time on the Trolley Trail.
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:
Joseph Wright
Vice President:
Alan Dakey
2nd Vice President:
Elliot Ross
Treasurer:
Mike Williamson
Secretary:
Michelle Tierney
Pat Acker
Bonnie Alco
Dorrance Belin (emeritus)
Bill Booth
Warren Breig
Will Chamberlin
Jim Dougherty
Jim Frankowski
Kathleen Graff
Kim Kost Scanlon
Katie Pittelli
Gretchen Ludders
Matt Mackie
Abby Peck
Brian Simakaski
Bill Tersteeg
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