Welcome James Delaune as New Executive Director!

The Orange County Land Trust today named James Delaune as its Executive Director.

In announcing the decision, Land Trust Board President, Douglas McBride said "We are extremely pleased that James has agreed to join the Land Trust. He has a solid background in the area of government and nonprofit organizations, as well as an excellent knowledge of the region. James is connected to the Hudson Valley, and is an exceptional individual. He is committed to protecting critically important lands in Orange County. The Board and Staff are looking forward to working with James to advance and expand land conservation for the benefit of all of us here in the Hudson Valley."

At the land trust, Delaune will be working with private landowners conveying conservation agreements, as well as with town boards and volunteers on land-conservation projects.

"I am thrilled to return to Orange County," Delaune said, "and I look forward to meeting the many landowners and volunteers who are interested in conservation options for their land. It is evident that under the leadership of Dr. McBride and the dedication and hard work of the Orange County Land Trust board, there have been many exciting conservation projects accomplished, and I look forward to many more."

Recent projects completed by the organization with support from Orange County's Open Space Fund and the Town of Greenville, include the protection of a unique 114 acre working sheep farm in the Town of Greenville. The trust has accepted a conservation agreement on the land that will ensure it will be preserved forever. Conservation of several properties in Warwick, Wallkill, Montgomery, and Cornwall are "very much on the front burner", according to McBride.

Grant Received From Joan K. Davidson
(The J.M. Kaplan Fund)
Orange County Land Trust is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a generous grant from Joan K. Davidson (The J.M. Kaplan Fund) in the amount of $2500 for general support. Joan K. Davidson is President Emeritus and Trustee at J.M. Kaplan Fund and was a guest speaker at our 2006 annual gala.

Check out our new Volunteer Opportunities page!
Volunteers play a very important role in the stewardship of the Orange County Land Trust’s public and private protected lands. Without our volunteers many of our successful projects, such as our public Preserves and Annual Monitoring Program would not be possible. Currently, over 50 volunteers enjoy preserved land with our volunteer opportunities throughout Orange County!

Many skills and abilities are utilized in our stewardship programs. Volunteer opportunities may involve habitat management, hiking, land navigation, trail design, trail building, plant identification, wildlife observation and carpentry. Other volunteers assist with filing, mailings, grant research and conducting educational programs. Please click here to visit our Volunteer Page and get more information!

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.