John Baker Joins Westchester Land Trust Staff as Land Conservation Projects Manager

May 11, 2017
Contact: Maria Slippen
914.234.6992 ext. 15, maria@westchesterlandtrust.org

Additions to Staff and Appointment to New York Land Trust Advisory Board Announced

Bedford Hills, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT) today announced that effective June 1, John Baker will be joining WLT as Land Conservation Projects Manager. In this position, he will be responsible for identifying, managing and completing land acquisition projects, including conservation easements, fee simple acquisitions, and assisted transactions with partner organizations.

Mr. Baker joins WLT after a 25-year career at Westchester County Parks, most recently as Director of Conservation.  In this role, he oversaw all aspects of the Conservation Division, including management of the natural and cultural resources of the County’s 17,000 acre park system. His professional experience includes natural resource identification and stewardship, complex land project management, urban and suburban land use planning, environmental regulatory compliance, financial management, and the cultivation of a broad network of relationships – government, business, non-profits, friends groups – throughout Westchester County and the region.

Lori Ensinger, President of WLT said, “The Land Conservation Projects Manager is integral to our organization, taking a lead role in prioritizing and implementing WLT’s land conservation activities, and building relationships with the community, landowners, municipalities, and other conservation organizations. John’s experience with Westchester County Parks and his passion for conservation are the perfect fit for WLT and this position. John will make a tremendous contribution to WLT, and help us to increase the pace and quality of land protection. The Board and staff are thrilled to be welcoming John to our team.”

WLT also announced that Ms. Ensinger has been appointed to the New York Land Trust Alliance Advisory Board, which helps shape the programming for New York State by addressing land trust needs and emerging issues, evaluating Alliance policies, and recommending programs and public policy initiatives to the Land Trust Alliance at the national level.

Mary Walsh has been named WLT’s new Land Steward, responsible for monitoring the organization’s 199 conservation easements and supporting stewardship projects on WLT’s sanctuaries. Mary holds a BS in Geology (concentration in Environmental Geoscience) from SUNY New Paltz. Maria Slippen, WLT’s Communications and Special Projects Manager, is leading WLT’s communications efforts, including newsletters, print and social media, and grant administration.  She is also the NY State Coordinator of the Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership (H2HRCP), co-led by WLT and Highstead (CT).  Michelle Pleim serves as WLT’s Development Associate, supporting the organization’s fundraising and community outreach programs. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies from SUNY ESF. Read more here.

The Westchester Land Trust works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity, and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties.  WLT’s conservation efforts impact the long term health of these communities through the protection of watershed areas, air quality, and food supply.  In total, WLT has preserved almost 8,000 acres of open space including approximately 700 acres of preserves owned by the organization.