Prior to her appointment, Sarah served as the Director of Education & Community Programs at Asbury Woods and recently stepped into the Interim Executive Director role following the departure of Jennifer Farrar on March 29th.
Sarah has a B.S. and M.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University. She taught college level biology for 13 years, eventually becoming the Sustainability Officer and Biology Department Chair at Mercyhurst University.
She also has experience in environmental advocacy, is currently on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators and has served on many other committees and boards in the Erie region.
“I am thrilled to lead Asbury Woods into its next chapter,” Bennett shared. “We have seen a period of incredible growth over the past several years, and I look forward to building upon that growth with increased attention to conservation efforts, exploring new directions with our environmental education offerings, and updating infrastructure.”
She continued, “from the moment I started working at Asbury Woods, I felt the need to care for this beautiful property and its community. I fully appreciate the connections that people have with The Woods, and I look forward to deepening existing connections while providing opportunities for new ones.”
“I am excited to share that Sarah Bennett is our next Executive Director, effective immediately,” stated Asbury Woods Board Chair Amy Brinling. “In her time at Asbury Woods, Sarah has made significant and lasting contributions to our Education Department and in our conservation efforts.”
She continued, “the Asbury Woods Board of Directors is confident that Sarah and the talented Asbury Woods’ team will continue moving Asbury Woods’ mission of conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation forward seamlessly and successfully.”
The mission of the Asbury Woods is to inspire a greater connection to the natural world by protecting, managing, and interpreting our property; providing outdoor recreational opportunities; and offering environmental education experiences.
Asbury Woods achieves this mission through a diverse array of educational, environmental, and recreational programming for schools, community groups, families, and individuals of all ages.
In addition, Asbury Woods manages and maintains 234 acres of preserved property which includes native species, old-growth forests, landscaped gardens, wetlands, boardwalk trails and dirt trails.
The Andrew J. Conner Nature Center at Asbury Woods is the cornerstone of the educational programming, providing animal exhibits, a touch-and-learn Discovery Classroom and free public access.
The Brown’s Farm Barn located on Sterrettania Road provides additional programming space for summer camps, school visits and community programs.
[Posted: May 1, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment