Natural Lands, based in Delaware County, Tuesday announced the addition of Lloyd H. Brown, Jason Duckworth, Gail Harrity, Jeffrey Idler, Stephan K. Pahides, and David W. Weaver to its Board of Trustees.

“Our new board members have an extraordinary depth of experience in conservation and culture,” said Natural Lands president Molly Morrison. “Their impressive achievements in the nonprofit world as well as their practical experience as leaders in the region make them excellent additions to the Board of Trustees.”

Lloyd H. Brown has advocated for land preservation in the mid-Atlantic region with the National Parks Conservation Association and throughout the country as the former Vice Chair of National Parks and Public Lands with the Garden Club of America.

In addition, she is a longtime member of the Women’s Committee of Children’s Hospital and the Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Ms. Brown holds a Bachelors of Art from UNC Chapel Hill.

“As a member of the Board of Trustees of Natural Lands, I join a team that is saving open spaces in our area, preserving our natural habitat and educating a new generation to support future initiatives,” said Lloyd H. Brown. “It is a privilege to be part of such a strong, transformational organization.”

Jason Duckworth is the President of Arcadia Land Company. Jason received widespread recognition as a progressive developer and advocate of smart growth in the Philadelphia region.  Under Jason’s leadership, Arcadia has pursued a strategy of infill redevelopment in walkable places such as Media, Narberth, Hatboro, and Haverford. 

Outside of Arcadia, Jason is a board director and president of the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance and the vice chair of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. 

Previously, Jason served as co-chair of the property committee of Overbrook Presbyterian Church, member of the advisory board for the Ed Bacon Foundation, and as vice-chair of the national ULI Residential Neighborhood Development Council. 

In 2007, Jason co-chaired CNU XV, the national gathering of the Congress for the New Urbanism held in Philadelphia. 

Duckworth holds an AB in Urban Studies (Summa cum laude) from Princeton University and an M.Litt. in geography from the University of Oxford. 

“Natural Lands is the single most effective land conservancy in the eastern United States.  Its work is important not just because open space is valuable but because open space preservation helps focus growth into existing towns and suburban communities,” said Jason Duckworth. “Natural Lands gets that land stewardship and town building are inextricably linked.”

Gail Harrity has been the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) since 2009. Prior to joining the PMA, Ms. Harrity was Deputy Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, where she also served as Deputy Director of Finance and Administration.

Ms. Harrity is currently on the boards of the Parkway Council Foundation, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the American Association of Museums, the International Council of Museums, and the Yale School of Management’s Board of Advisors. Gail Harrity earned an undergraduate degree from Boston University and an MBA in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management.

“I find walking or hiking in open spaces and natural settings to be calming, soul soothing experiences,” said Ms. Harrity. “In this fast paced world, these experiences inspire the mind and rejuvenate the spirit. So it is an honor to work with an organization of talented professionals dedicated to preserving natural lands and making them accessible to all. “

Jeffrey Idler is currently a Managing Director in the Philadelphia Office of the Private Banking Division of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; previously, he was employed with Prudential Securities, Inc. Jeff currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Carson Valley Children’s Aid and is President of the Joseph and Carolyn DeMarco Foundation. Idler received a degree in Economics from Princeton University.

“In an age of constant connectivity and time compression, the value of open space has never been higher,” said Jeffrey Idler. “It's an honor to do my part to help protect our natural world and work alongside such a focused and dedicated group of people at Natural Lands.”

Stephan K. Pahides is a shareholder of McCausland Keen + Buckman, where he practices real estate law. He represents clients in the sale, acquisition, development, and leasing of property. Mr. Pahides serves currently on the boards of the HEADStrong Foundation and Drexel Neumann Academy, and is a former board member of the Independence Seaport Museum, the School of Rock, and the Center for Literacy.

His extensive service to community includes volunteering for the Radnor Hunt Pony Club and Penncrest High School. Pahides received his B.A. in Political Science from Drew University and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

“It is an honor to join the Natural Lands Board of Trustees,” said Pahides. “I have long admired the organization’s work to preserve and promote open space in our community, and look forward to further supporting this mission.”

David W. Weaver is the Vice President of Transmission Strategy at Exelon utilities.  Weaver has been involved with supporting MANNA, National MS Society, National Brain Tumor Society and has participated in many community engagement activities. He also serves on the board of Philadelphia Neighborhood Bike Works. Weaver received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and is a licensed professional engineer.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve Natural Lands as I believe in their mission not only to preserve open space vital to our ecosystem, but also to include community education and access as well as proper native land management,” said David W. Weaver.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural Lands website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Natural Lands and Like them on Facebook.  Click Here to support their activities.

[Posted: April 5, 2018]

4/9/2018