Delaware Nature Society announces executive appointments and 2018 plans
Delaware Nature Society has announced that Brian Winslow resigned as its executive director effective Jan. 4.
Anne Harper, currently director of sites, will serve as acting executive director. Harper has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and management in organizations dedicated to environmental education and youth development. She is a gifted facilitator and innovator, having created and implemented community development education programs on regional and national scales.
Current Director of Development and Marketing Joanne McGeoch will be acting deputy executive director. McGeoch has 15 years of leadership experience in development serving nonprofits throughout the greater Philadelphia region, the last 10 years of which have been environmentally focused. With an emphasis on fundraising and capacity building, her expanded role will support strategic growth and impact.
Over the last six years, Winslow's impact on the organization includes growing Delaware Nature Society in both size and stature, mounting the Clean Water Campaign, beginning implementation of the Coverdale Farm Master Plan, and completing an organization-wide strategic plan with an emphasis on connecting people to nature at preserved lands and sites. Delaware Nature Society thanks Winslow for his many contributions to the organization and his longtime passionate advocacy on behalf of Delaware's natural resources. Both Winslow and Delaware Nature Society have worked hard to ensure that this transition will be seamless. DNS wishes Winslow well in his future endeavors.
The leadership team, including Brenna Goggin, director of advocacy; Ginger North, director of conservation; and Helen Fischel, director of education and organizational development, has deep tenure and leadership experience in nonprofit administration. They are looking forward to a bright future for Delaware Nature Society.
2018 will be an exciting and ambitious year for Delaware Nature Society, including taking proactive measures on many important issues on behalf of the environment. The 2018 advocacy policy agenda will focus on three main areas:
• Ensuring Clean Water by encouraging investments at the state and federal level to improve water quality
• Safeguarding Land & Habitat Protection through the protection and preservation of open spaces, providing habitat for wildlife, replenishing the drinking water supply, and removing pollutants from the air
• Adapting for Changing Climate and Clean Energy by supporting efforts to slow and limit damage caused by climate change, including improving energy conservation and efficiency, adopting renewable sources of energy, and promoting reduction of greenhouse gases.
In addition to its advocacy initiatives, Delaware Nature Society will begin laying the foundation and framework for its Regenerative Agriculture program at Coverdale Farm Preserve. The largest contiguous property owned by the organization, Coverdale's 377 acres of nature preserve and agricultural lands will demonstrate that farming, when done using regenerative practices focused on soil health, water quality and biodiversity, can have a positive impact on the environment.
As it has done for the last 53 years, Delaware Nature Society will continue its commitment as a leader in environmental education by serving the community through high-quality, nature-based education programs for all ages.
Founded in 1964, Delaware Nature Society works to improve the environment through conservation, advocacy, and education. For more information, go to www.DelNature.org. To join, go to www.DelNature.org/Join.
