Biographies of Workshop Presenters 2016
In workshop order
Session 1 (9-10:15)
1A
Careers in Conservation
Felysse Goldman, Intern, New Jersey Conservation Foundation (organizer)
Kate Hutelmyer, Watershed Institute, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association (organizer)
1B
Urban Wildlands and Biodiversity
Claus Holzapfel , Rutgers University Newark, Department of Biological Sciences
Claus Holzapfel teaches at Rutgers Newark since 2004 and is a plant community
ecologist studying the ways of how species interact with each other and contribute to
biodiversity. A focus of his work is on the interaction of native and non-native species
and on the formation of novel communities. He is investigating these fused
communities in a wide range of systems ranging from true deserts over urban “deserts”
to disturbed wetlands.
Dr. Frank Gallagher , Rutgers University New Brunswick, School of Environmental and Biological
Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture
For over thirty years Frank Gallagher has explored the connection between people and
landscape through both land management and academic research. He has served as
Chief of Interpretive Services, Administrator and Assistant Director of the New Jersey
Division of Parks and Forestry and is now teaching Landscape Planning. He oversaw
several ecological restoration initiatives including both estuarine and freshwater
wetland projects Liberty State Park.
Julia Perzley , Rutgers University New Brunswick, Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution
Julia Perzley is an advanced graduate student (close to completion of thesis). She is an
upcoming expert in vegetation and ecology of brownfields and other severely human
influenced ecosystems.
1C
Conservation Easement Amendments
James Wyse, Esq. ,Coughlin Duffy LLP
Judeth Yeany, Esq. ,N. J. Green Acres Program
Kristina Hadinger, Esq. ,Mason, Griffin & Pierson, PC
1D
Climate Change and Land Use
Dr. David Robinson, State Climatologist, Rutgers University
1E
Municipal Open Space Funds - Local Resources in Transition
Donna Kirkland ,Trust for Public Land
Donna Kirkland is a Senior Program Associate at the Trust for Public Land, where for the
past nine years she has run the Parks for People Program in Newark, helping to create a
citywide network of parks and playgrounds. The goal is to provide all city residents
access to functional, well-maintained outdoor recreational space within a 10-minute
walk from home. Donna is also a member of the Newark Environmental Commission
and the Sustainable Jersey Task Force, which recently named her a "Sustainability Hero."
Maria Petix-Kent ,Chairman, Pompton Lakes Environmental Commission
Maria Petix-Kent is Chairman of the Pompton Lakes Environmental Commission.
Additional bio info to follow.
Will Abberger ,Director, TPL Conservation Finance Service
Will Abberger is director of The Trust for Public Land’s Conservation Finance service,
helping state and local governments and citizen groups nationwide to gauge public
support for open space and craft ballot and legislative measures that generate new
sources of funding for land conservation. In his 19 years with TPL Will has served as
Associate Director for Conservation Finance in the eastern US, and directed the
Conservation Services Program for TPL's nine-state Southeast Region. Before joining
TPL, he served as an associate with the World Wildlife Fund’s Successful Communities
Program in Washington, D.C.; field representative for the Successful Communities
Program in Florida; and as senior cabinet aide for environmental affairs in the Florida
Treasurer's office.
1F
Issues and Trends Affecting New Jersey Agriculture
Susan E. Payne , Executive Director, State Agriculture Development Committee
Alfred W. Murray, New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, New Jersey Department of
Agriculture
1G
More than Just a Pretty Place--Communicating the Many Values of Green Space
Patty Elkis, Director of Division of Planning, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Christopher Anderson ,Watershed Programs Manager, Philadelphia Water Department
John Beljean, Delaware River Field Representative, National Parks Conservation Association
1H
Jersey-Friendly Yards: Landscaping for a Healthy Environment
Karen Walzer ,Barnegat Bay Partnership
Karen Walzer, Public Outreach Coordinator, manages educational programming and
print and electronic outreach for the Barnegat Bay Partnership, a National Estuary
Program. She researched content and is the project manager for the development of
the Jersey-Friendly Yards website. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and
is a certified Master Gardener as well as a co-leader of a local chapter of the Native
Plant Society of New Jersey.
Becky Laboy ,Ocean County Soil Conservation District
Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Specialist, presents programs and manages outreach
for the Ocean County Soil Conservation district. She has a Masters degree in Education
and extensive experience in environmental education, including program manager at
Island Beach State Park and Ocean County Park naturalist. Becky was a member of the
team that provided content for the Jersey-Friendly yards website and currently manages
the six Jersey-Friendly Yards on-the-ground implementation projects.
Britta Wenzel ,Save Barnegat Bay
Britta Wenzel, Executive Director of Save Barnegat Bay, has been actively involved with
the protection and restoration of Barnegat Bay since her childhood. At 18, she was
named Ocean County’s “Environmentalist of the Year.” She served on the Lavallette
Borough Council from 2003 to 2009, affecting many environmental programs and
policies. She currently drives Save Barnegat Bay’s advocacy efforts by working alongside
locally elected officials, county government, state legislators and federal
representatives.
Session 2 (10:30-11:45)
2A
The New Sprawl: Energy Infrastructure Threats to Preserved Land and Natural
Resources
Tom Gilbert ,New Jersey Conservation Foundation,
Alison Mitchell , New Jersey Conservation Foundation Policy Director, New Jersey Conservation
Foundation,
Carleton Montgomery ,Executive Director, Pinelands Preservation Alliance,
2B
Implementing Conservation and Viability Programs for Preserved Farms and
Landowners
Steven M. Bruder , Planning Manager, State Agriculture Development Committee
Since 2006 Steven Bruder has been a professional planner with the N.J. State Agriculture
Development Committee ,SADC,. At the SADC Mr. Bruder works with counties and
municipalities on planning and preservation strategies that encourage agricultural
retention. Responsibilities include coordination of the farmland preservation program
with State and regional planning efforts, review of the County and Municipal Planning
Incentive Grant Programs and staff to the State Transfer of Development Rights Bank.
Prior to the SADC Mr. Bruder worked at the County of Ocean as a G.I.S. Specialist and
then as staff to the County’s Natural Lands Trust and Farmland Preservation Programs.
Steven Bruder received a B.S. in Geography from the Pennsylvania State University and
a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public
Policy at Rutgers. He, his wife Leah, and two children live in Medford Lakes, Burlington
County.
Jeffrey Everett ,New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee
Jeff manages the Agriculture Development Section of the State Agriculture
Development Committee, comprised of the Easement Stewardship, Resource
Conservation, Right to Farm, Agricultural Mediation, Farm Link, and Farm Viability
programs. Since 1993, he has conserved natural, cultural, and agricultural resources on
public and private lands in the South, Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Midwest. He has
worked in federal, state, and local government, for non-profit land trusts, in academia,
and has provided consulting services to government conservation agencies and NGOs.
Jeff holds a B.A. in History from Mary Washington College and an M.A. in Public Policy
from the University of Delaware. His book on the landscape history and geography of
his native Shenandoah Valley will be published by the University of Virginia Press in
2016.
David Clapp ,Resource Conservationist, New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee
Dave Clapp was hired by the SADC in 2014 to fill a technical need for natural resource
evaluation and management on preserved farms. Prior to joining the SADC, he worked
for the NJDA -Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources in close partnership with
the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. Dave is a certified conservation
planner and nutrient management consultant. Dave received his B.S. in Natural
Resource management from Rutgers University in 2005. Dave has served as a trustee
for the South Branch Watershed Association and the Raritan Headwaters Association,
was the President of the Firman E. Bear Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation
Society, and is currently active as a member of the West Amwell Township
Environmental Commission.
Christine Hall ,State Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service-New
Jersey
Ms. Hall received a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Cook College, Rutgers
University. She is currently the State Resource Conservationist for NJ NRCS and is
responsible for providing statewide technical leadership for conservation planning as
well as guidance in formulating and recommending procedures and policies in the fields
of agronomy, biology, woodland conservation, plant materials, economics, recreation,
water quality, grazing and resource development planning.
2C
Conservation Easement Enforcement and Violations
James Wyse, Esq. ,Coughlin Duffy LLP
Judeth Yeany, Esq. ,N. J. Green Acres Program
Kristina Hadinger, Esq. ,Mason, Griffin & Pierson, PC
2D
Connecting with Nature through the Development of Trails on Open Space Lands
Lewis E. Gorman III ,Cherry Hill Environmental Board (workshop organizer)
An environmentalist since his days as an Eagle Scout, his volunteer work includes
chairing the Cherry Hill Environmental Board for 10 years, and serving on the Boy Scouts
of America Conservation and Natural Resource Task Force. Lew works at the USFWS
Headquarters currently serving as an endangered species biologist. Education includes:
Jackie Neiman ,Cherry Hill Environmental Board
Bill Foelsch, Chair, NJ Trails Council
Bill Foelsch is Director of Parks and Recreation for the Township of Morris, a residential
community of 23,000. As Director, he manages 18 municipal parks and park preserves,
two Olympic- size swimming pools, and oversees an extensive array of recreation
programs for the community. Prior to his service to Morris Township, he was Executive
Director of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association for 26 years, managing the
membership services, educational activities, and public policy advocacy program of that
statewide organization. He also serves as part-time Park Consultant to the municipality
of Chester Township, a position he started in 1981, currently managing seven parks, 60
acres of active recreation area, and 900 acres of preserved open space. Bill has served
as Chair of the New Jersey Trails Council since his appointment to the Council in 1992.
He also currently serves as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association
Public Policy Committee and is active on the Program Committee of that organization.
Bill served on the Board of Trustees of the National Recreation and Park Association,
was twice Chairman of the National Playground Safety Institute, and served on the
NRPA Congress Program Committee for 15 years, chairing Committee in 2005 for the
San Antonio Congress. He has served on nine campaign committees to renew the New
Jersey Green Acres and Garden State Preservation Trust funding programs. He currently
serves as the NJRPA liaison to the Keep It Green Campaign, a 185 organization coalition
advancing priorities for future GSPT funding for open space, farmland, and historic
preservation and new funding for New Jersey’s natural resources and park stewardship
needs. In October 2014, he was elected as a member of the American Academy for Park
and Recreation Administration, an organization of distinguished practitioners and
scholars.ed to the advancement of the parks and scholars committed to the advancement of the
2E
Urban Public Lands: Challenges & Opportunities
Greg Remaud , NY/NJ Baykeeper
Greg Remaud has been an advocate for land preservation in densely developed
communities for over 15 years. He has led and partnered in numerous land acquisition,
preservation and restoration projects throughout the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Region.
Greg serves on numerous Advisory Boards and has presented on urban land
preservation in a variety of forums. He is a trustee on the board of the Meadowlands
Conservation Trust, and a board member and past president of the Liberty State Park
Conservancy.
Wolfram Hoefer, Rutgers Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES)
Dr. Wolfram Hoefer is an associate professor at the Department of Landscape
Architecture at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and serves as undergraduate
program director for the department. He also serves as co-director of the Rutgers
Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability and is co-dhair of the Sustainable Jersey
Task Force that is addressing Brownfields issues.
In 1992 he earned a Diploma in Landscape Architecture from the Technische Universität
Berlin and received a doctoral degree from Technische Universtät München in 2000. He
is a licensed landscape architect in the state of Bavaria, Germany.
Zenon Tech-Czarny , Rutgers Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES)
Zenon Tech-Czarny is a Planner and Urban Designer focused on creating a radically more
sustainable and resilient planet. He has conducted demographic research, developed a
multitude of tactical urban environmental interventions, and contributed to a variety of
projects both domestically and internationally. Tech-Czarny holds a Bachelor of Science
in Environmental Planning and Design from the School of Environmental and Biological
Sciences-Rutgers University and a Master of Urban Planning in Urban Design from the
City College of New York.
2F
Future of Conservation Funding
Fran Varacalli ,FAV Consulting, (moderator)
Deena Leary, Morris County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust
Andy Coeyman , Monmouth Open Space Trust
Mary Pat Robbie , Burlington County Open Space Trust
Tom Pachino , Somerset County Open Space Trust
2G
Art of Hiring & Firing
Christine Michelle Duffy , Pro Bono Partnership
Christine Michelle Duffy is Senior Staff Attorney with Pro Bono Partnership in
Parsippany, NJ. Prior to joining the Partnership eight years ago, Christine initially was in
a private law practice for 12 years, where she focused on labor and employment law
and appellate advocacy. Then, for 12 years, she was the chief compliance officer and
chief labor and employment counsel for a group of international environmental services
companies. Christine is Editor-in-Chief and coauthor of the 2014 Bloomberg BNA
treatise “Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace: A
Practical Guide” (www.bna.com/bnabooks/giso).
2H
Acquiring Contaminated Property
William Kastning ,Executive Director, Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
Prior to joining MCF as the Executive Director in 2012, Bill worked for the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection ,DEP, Green Acres Program for eight years.
During his tenure with the Green Acres Program, Kastning supported the Monmouth
County Park System, MCF, numerous county municipalities and other non-profits with
their land preservation and historical preservation efforts, which entailed acquiring
properties to enlarge state parks, wildlife management areas and forests.
Session 3 (2:00-3:15)
3A
Growing Your Local Agricultural Economy
Harriet Honigfeld, Monmouth County
Kendrya Close, Foodshed Alliance
3B
Monetizing a Conservation Easement
Geoffrey Close ,Morgan Stanley
Geof Close is a veteran wealth advisor with over 35 years’ experience in the financial
services industry is a First Vice President of Morgan Stanley. He has an undergraduate
degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. He holds advanced designations
including CIMA®, Certified Investment Management, CPWA®, Certified Private Wealth
Advisor, CAP™ Charter Advisor in Philanthropy. He serves on the Board of the
Tewksbury Land Trust, in addition to being a Board Member Emeritus of both the New
Jersey Chapters of the Association of Fund raising Professionals and the Gift Planning
council of NJ, and serves on numerous Planned giving Advisory Councils.
Nina Chen, The Nature Conservancy
3C
Municipal Rain Gardens – Multi-Purpose Green Infrastructure in Open Spaces
Cheryl Reardon , Association of NJ Environmental Commissions
Cheryl Reardon is a Project Director for the Association of NJ Environmental
Commissions ,www.anjec.org, and Project Manager for the South Jersey Bayshore
Coalition, an umbrella organization of 21 non-profits working to protect the cultural
heritage and environmental integrity of the South Jersey Bayshore, and to build state
and local awareness of the region ,www.sjbayshore.org,. Cheryl served as an elected
member of the Pilesgrove Township Committee and was appointed to Pilesgove's State
Plan Endorsement Advisory Committee and Planning Board.Committed to the need for
and benefits of sustainable land use planning, in 2002 she founded Concerned
Pilesgrove Residents ,CPR, a residents group with over 1,500 supporters. CPR led the
way on raising awareness on sustainable planning and preservation issues, including the
formation of the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Joint Environmental Commission ,the second
joint commission in NJ, and voter approval of a farmland/open space dedicated tax
leading to Pilesgrove being the first municipality in South Jersey to receive a State
Planning Incentive Grant ,PIG,. Cheryl diligently promotes agriculture, farmland/open
space preservation and resource protection and has received awards from such
organizations as the NJ Planning Organization, NJ Environmental Federation, and
Preservation Salem County.
Jenine Tankoos ,Manalapan Environmental Commission
Chris Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. ,Extension Specialist, Rutgers Water Resources Program
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. is the Extension Specialist in Water Resources with
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and an Associate Professor with the Dept. of
Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers
University. He has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology,
an M.S. in Civil Engineering from NJIT and a B.S.in Civil Engineering from NJIT. Prior to
joining Rutgers, Dr. Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni
Environmental Corporation. He has a background in watershed management, water
quality modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering. His
specific experience includes watershed restoration, stormwater management, wetland
design, effluent dilution analyses, computer-aided design, and Geographic Information
Systems ,GIS,. He teaches Bioresource Engineering Design I & II, where he directs
student teams and a specialized team of Program Associates to develop solutions to
complex water quality engineering problems.
3D
Standards & Practices Revisions
Kevin Case ,Northeast Director, Land Trust Alliance
Kevin has worked for the National Park Service in Connecticut, where he supervised a
federally funded Wild & Scenic River Study for the Eightmile River and oversaw a
National Scenic Trail Study for the Connecticut section of the Metacomet-MonadnockMattabesett Trail. Prior to his work with NPS, Kevin ran the Farmington River Watershed
Association.
3E
Riparian Greenways for Watershed Management and Environmental Conservation
Marian Glenn ,Seton Hall University and Rahway River Watershed Association
Marian Glenn is a resident of Summit, and professor of Biology and Environmental
Studies at Seton Hall University with broad interests in civic engagement around
environmental issues. She is on the Advisory Board of the Association of NJ
Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), the Union County Trailside Museum Association
board, and president of the board of the Rahway River Watershed Association.
Vic Benes ,Rahway River Watershed Association and Millburn Environmental Commission
Vic Benes is a longtime resident of Millburn with extensive participation in civic activity
including leadership roles in the South Mountain Conservancy, the Millburn
Environmental Commission, and the Rahway River Watershed Association. His work
focuses on alternative methods for flood control.
Robert ,Bob, McIntosh ,Trout Unlimited and Rahway River Watershed Association
Bob McIntosh is a lifetime resident of Springfield with expertise in geography and land
use planning. He is active in civic endeavors including leadership roles with the Boy
Scouts, Trout Unlimited, and is a board member of the Rahway River Watershed
Association focusing on riparian greenways.
3F
Vision for Land Conservation in New Jersey
Bob Allen ,The Nature Conservancy
Chris Jage ,New Jersey Conservation Foundation
John Hasse ,Rowan University
Douglas Schliefer, NJ Office of Geographic Information Services
3G
Land Conservation in the City--Smaller, flexible, green
Julia Taylor, Isles, Inc.
3H
Economics of Coastal Restoration
The Nature Conservancy
Session 4 (3:30-4:45)
4A
Making Connections To Ensure The Future Of Wildlife In New Jersey
Brian Zarate, NJDEP Endangered and Non-game Species Program
MacKenzie Hall , NJDEP Endangered and Non-game Species Program
4B
Coastal Restoration Projects
Nature Conservancy
American Littoral Society
4C
Problems of Buildings/Structures on Open Space
Fran Varacalli, Land Preservation & Management Consultant, FAV Consulting
Jessica Patterson, Green Acres Program (invited)
4D
Case for Constitutional Environmental Rights
Maya van Rossum ,Delaware Riverkeeper Network
Maya van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper
Network. van Rossum, who is skilled as an environmental attorney, strategist,
community organizer, facilitator, coalition builder and manager, has led DRN for nearly
20 years. As Delaware Riverkeeper, she organizes concerned citizens, testifies before
state and national governing bodies, oversees DRN litigation, and watches over the
Delaware River and all of its tributary streams. Through appointments by governors and
agency heads, she has played a role in shaping water quality, quantity and habitat
policies and regulation in the Delaware River watershed for nearly two decades.
4E
Green Infrastructure: Implementation at the Community Level
Debbie Mans , NY/NJ Baykeeper
Debbie Mans has been Baykeeper and Executive Director since April, 2008. Prior to
joining NY/NJ Baykeeper, Debbie was the Environmental and Energy Policy Advisor for
Governor Jon S. Corzine. She was also appointed by Governor Corzine to the New Jersey
State Planning Commission. Prior to working for the Governor, Debbie was the Policy
Director at Baykeeper, a position she held from 2002 through 2006. Debbie is a
graduate of The University of Michigan and holds a J.D. from Vermont Law School.
Debbie is the Chair of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and on the Board
of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. , Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. is the Extension Specialist in Water Resources with
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and he is an Associate Professor with the Department of
Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers
University. He has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology,
a M.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a B.S.in Civil
Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Rutgers, Dr.
Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni Environmental
Corporation. Dr. Obropta has a background in watershed management, water quality
modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering.
Sandra Meola , NY/NJ Baykeeper
Sandra Meola joined the Baykeeper staff in March 2014. Sandra manages our policy
communications, social media, and is currently leading our new Plastic Reduction
Campaign. Sandra has a B.A. in Political Science and History from Monmouth University
and is currently working towards her MA in Public Policy at Monmouth. Prior to joining
the Baykeeper team, Sandra was an analyst at Luthin Associates, an energy consulting
firm.
4F
Creative Placemaking: Connecting People, Land and Nature
Suzanne Ishee , Center for Creative Placemaking
Suzanne Ishee brings decades of experience of professional artistry and artist advocacy
as a multi-award winning producer, actor and playwright. Additionally, she is a real
estate consultant, trainer and investor with broad-based knowledge of the residential
and commercial markets, distressed properties, redevelopment, asset identification and
opportunities for community engagement. As an original member of Sustainable
Jersey’s Arts Task Force, member of the Western Highlands Scenic Byway Alliance,
Scenic and Wild Delaware River Geotourism Stewardship Council, US Placemaking
Leadership Council and guest blogger for the National Association of Realtors, she
continues to contribute to thought leadership, planning and advancement of the field of
Creative Placemaking.
Stuart Koperweis , Center for Creative Placemaking
Stuart Z. Koperweis, Vice-President of the Center for Creative Placemaking is one of the
premier individuals in the economic development and revitalization field. He has
participated in the phenomenal revitalization of such cities as Jersey City, Asbury Park,
Belmar and Keyport by combining the Arts with Economics. Known as one of the
foremost authorities in the State of New Jersey and the New York metropolitan region
on the effective workings of Business Improvement Districts ,BIDs,, he is regularly called
upon for his experience and expertise in Commercial Real Estate, contract negotiations,
real estate development, affordable housing, zoning and land use.
4G
Managing Invasive Plants--Map 'Em & Zap 'Em
Susan Brookman ,New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team
Susan Brookman is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike
Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and an M.B.A. An experienced
environmental educator and administrator, she has overseen the development and rollout of the Strike Team’s new tools designed to help land owners and managers carry out
invasive species control work.
Lindsay Gafford ,New Jersey Audubon
Lindsay Gafford is a Stewardship Department Specialist with New Jersey Audubon. She
holds bachelor’s degrees in Wildlife Ecology, Biology and Spanish. Lindsay coordinates
New Jersey Audubon's S.A.V.E. program ,Support Agricultural Viability and the
Environment,, which promotes the production of agricultural products that are
economically and ecologically sustainable, and she works closely with the Strike Team to
help resource managers across the state incorporate invasive species work into their
stewardship programs.