Nature Conservancy Names Executive Director

Source: The Hannah Report

Bill Stanley of Grandview Heights has been named state director of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Ohio.

Stanley has served as the environmental organization’s assistant state director and director of conservation for the last 10 years, TNC Ohio said in a news release. Previously, he directed TNC’s climate change program out of its Arlington, VA headquarters.He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years.

The Tennessee native replaces former TNC Ohio State Director Josh Knights, who resigned last June.

As assistant state director and director of conservation, Stanley was responsible for building and supporting the Ohio chapter’s conservation teams, which work to protect and restore Ohio’s streams, wetlands and forests to revitalize Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Under Stanley’s leadership, the Ohio chapter expanded the Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Adams County to 20,000 acres; established Great Egret Marsh Preserve in Lakeside Marblehead; worked with the agriculture industry to create the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program; established Ohio’s only statewide in-lieu fee stream and mitigation program; and opened the Dr. James K. Bissell Nature Center in Ashtabula County.

“I look forward to continuing TNC’s work to protect Ohio’s most important lands and waters and to lead us into new areas, including helping to make cities more sustainable,” Stanley said.“Our rivers and lakes are critical not only for plants and animals, but also for the millions of people in rural and urban areas who rely on them for clean drinking water.”

A graduate of both the University of Virginia and Yale University studying forest science and ecology, Stanley said he plans to expand the organization’s partnerships with agencies, universities, elected officials and businesses while cultivating passionate and professional staff members.

“The conservancy has put in place a steady and ambitious leader in Ohio who will leverage opportunities for collaboration,” TNC Ohio Board Chair Jeff Reutter said.

TNC Midwest Division Director Michael Reuter said, “We are delighted to promote Bill to this role. By fostering collaboration and working with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders, we can increase the scale and effectiveness of conservation in Ohio.”

Working in Ohio since 1958, the organization said it has protected more than 60,000 acres of the state’s lands and waters.

“We have a strong platform of success to build from here in Ohio, but there is still a lot more to do on water quality, the protection of diverse natural areas and urban sustainability,” Stanley said.“We rely on nature to provide clean air and water and it depends on us to conserve it.”