Kevin Abbey of Ferguson Township has joined State College–based ClearWater Conservancy as its Land Conservation Manager.

Abbey will build upon the work of Bill Hilshey, who has been with ClearWater since 2004. Hilshey is relocating to Missoula, Montana.

In his new role, Abbey’s chief responsibility will be to work with landowners who want to protect their property with a legal agreement called a conservation easement. He will also be responsible for monitoring ClearWater’s protected properties.

“I’m absolutely delighted to join the dedicated team of professionals at Clearwater and look forward to supporting the organization and its essential mission within our community,” he said.

Abbey brings more than 30 years of experience in community development, technical outreach, environmental management, and transportation policy to ClearWater.  His former position of general manager of the Centre Area Transportation Authority brought Abbey and his young family to the Centre Region in 1984. 

Followed by service in the state Senate as executive director of the Transportation Committee and more recent assignments at Penn State’s Institute of Energy and the Environment, PennTAP and the College of Engineering, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the environment.

He received a BS in zoology from the University of Michigan, an MA in language and literature from Central Michigan University and has a professional certification in applied river morphology.

“We are thrilled that Kevin Abbey is joining the ClearWater team.  He has the set of skills that we need to grow our Land Conservation Program by proactively working with landowners to protect the most sensitive and threatened natural resources in our region,” ClearWater Executive Director Jennifer Shuey said. 

7/22/2013