Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Lancaster Farmland Trust Executive Director Named One Of 25 Women of Influence

Karen Martynick, Executive Director of Lancaster Farmland Trust, has been selected to receive Central Penn Business Journal's "Women of Influence" award for 2010. The award was given to 25 local women for their "outstanding leadership, integrity and accomplishments."  
            Karen was nominated for this award by Carol Gundel Falk, Chairman of Lancaster Farmland Trust's board of trustees. 
            Karen has served as executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust, a private, nonprofit organization that helps farmers preserve and steward their farmland, since 2004. Her tenure in this role has been marked with the use of creativity and innovation to achieve the Trust's goals. In its 2003 strategic plan, the Trust established an ambitious goal of preserving 20,000 acres of farmland by 2008. 
            Success was achieved through the use of innovative community partnerships, elevating the professionalism of the Trust staff, engaging the board of trustees, and maximizing the use of preservation dollars by partnering with local municipalities in order to leverage funding and expand preservation's reach throughout the community.
            The Trust also leads all other land trusts in Pennsylvania in the number of annual easement acquisitions. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association documented the Trust's number one standing among 47 land trusts across the state.  The Trust first achieved this top spot in 2005.
            Karen has led the Trust in its efforts to develop several key partnerships with private businesses such as the Strasburg Rail Road, Turkey Hill Dairy, and Kitchen Kettle Village. Another significant partnership expanded under Karen's leadership has been with the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board. The Trust works with the Agricultural Preserve Board to maximize its reach throughout Lancaster County and has partnered on 13 joint preservation projects since 2004. 
            Other partnerships critical to the organization's success include working closely with local municipalities that share the Trust's vision and mission. Examples include cultivating relationships with Warwick, West Lampeter, and West Hempfield Townships to enhance transfer of development rights programs and preservation programs in Penn and Caernarvon Townships.
            The Trust also earned national accreditation in 2009 through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, which demonstrates that the Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.
            An award ceremony is scheduled for May 10.


3/29/2010

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page