Fred Harding is New Executive Director

Orange County Land Trust is delighted to welcome our new Executive Director, Fred Harding. With over 25 years' experience in corporate management, and an MBA from Rutgers, Fred Harding brings strong leadership and financial management skills to our rapidly-growing land trust. A lifelong area resident, Harding is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He was active in the creation of 14 miles of the D&H Canal Towpath linear park running from Orange to Ulster County.

"I'm delighted to be a part of this highly-regarded organization at a time when it is filling such an important need in Orange County," said Harding. "During this period of unprecedented growth, local residents and business leaders are calling for increased attention to quality of life issues. Orange County Land Trust is making an important contribution by working to help landowners and developers set aside important natural areas, providing public preserves throughout the county, and working to help protect clean water resources."

Fred is well-known throughout the county, and his appointment has been met with enthusiasm by the business, government and private sectors of our community.

TAKE A HIKE!
Got cabin fever? Get out and check out one of our Preserves. We've had reports of eagles seen at some of our preserves this winter. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see one, too! For preserve descriptions and directions, go to www.oclt.org and click on Protected Lands, or call our office (343-0840) for details. All of our preserves are open to the public year round.

SAVE THE DATE
Benefit Gala, Sunday, June 4
This year's Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 4, with Reception and Silent Auction beginning at 4:30. This year’s honoree will be Klara Sauer, well-known former Executive Director of Scenic Hudson. Our own former Executive Director, John Gebhards, will receive the Louis V. Mills Award. And our dinner speaker will be well-known community benefactor Joan K. Davidson. We'll be returning to the beautiful Thayer Hotel overlooking the Hudson River at West Point. Watch for details to follow!

We welcome your feedback. If you know someone who would like to be added to our list, please go to www.orangecountylandtrust.org and click on "Mailing List." If you wish to be removed from this e-list, please follow the directions at the bottom of the page.