Delaware Highlands Conservancy Announces
Executive Director Transition

Upper Delaware River Region, PA and NY – The Delaware Highlands Conservancy Board of Directors announces that Executive Director Diane Rosencrance will conclude ten years of leadership with the Conservancy after accepting the position of Executive Director at Bolsa Chica Land Trust in Huntington Beach, California.

During her tenure, Rosencrance helped guide significant growth for the Conservancy, expanding land protection and environmental education efforts throughout the Upper Delaware River region. Under her leadership, the Conservancy protected nearly 5,000 additional acres of land in Pennsylvania and New York, grew from five to nine full-time staff members, and secured substantial grants to support conservation initiatives. The Conservancy was also gifted the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, which has been transformed into a major conservation resource open daily to the public.

“We are immensely grateful for all Diane has accomplished during her ten years with us,” stated Board President Jacqueline Sailer. “Without Diane’s bold vision and dedication, the Conservancy would not have undertaken the creation of the Van Scott Nature Reserve. Now the Reserve is our nature center, with beautiful meadows and forests that serve as an outdoor classroom and a place for quiet walks and contemplation, as well as gatherings under the new and beautiful Pavilion, with its gorgeous hilltop views. The Van Scott Nature Reserve has enabled us to develop a robust education program covering all aspects of nature and conservation for schools and the community at large. We will miss Diane and the energy she has brought to the Conservancy’s mission.”

"It has been a privilege to work alongside the communities of the Upper Delaware River region over the last ten years," Rosencrance stated. "I am proud of the conservation successes we've achieved together, and value the relationships I’ve had with our members, partners, landowners, and supporters. I look forward to the continued success of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the future impact of its amazing and dedicated staff and Board of Directors.”

While the Board of Directors conducts a formal search for the organization’s next Executive Director, Trey Talley, Senior Land Protection Coordinator, will serve as Acting Executive Director of the Conservancy. Rosencrance will remain available to support the organization during the transition.

Talley joined the Conservancy in 2018 and brings extensive experience in land protection, environmental finance, advocacy, strategic planning, and community development. A University of Chicago graduate, he holds a master’s degree in City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a resident of Wayne County, PA, where his family moved when he joined the Conservancy staff.

“I am excited to lead the Conservancy’s staff and work with the Board of Directors as we continue to conserve land, provide educational programming, and serve our community during this time of transition. Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Diane on organizational planning, land protection projects, and the expansion of regional partnerships with other conservation organizations. We are deeply grateful to Diane for her many contributions to the Conservancy and look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation she helped establish,” Talley stated.

The leadership transition comes during a period of continued momentum for the Conservancy in its regional land conservation and environmental education initiatives. Support includes a landmark $1 million grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and significant grants from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and the New York State Conservation Partnership Program.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the forests, farmland, clean waters, and wildlife habitat of the Upper Delaware River region for present and future generations and to foster environmental stewardship through community engagement. Since its founding in 1994, the Conservancy has helped landowners protect 19,380 acres in Pennsylvania and New York. For more information, call 570-226-3164/845-583-1010 or visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.