NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 114, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Terry Brady
DCNR Deputy Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PENNSYLVANIA WILD RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM

HARRISBURG (November 14, 2005) — Sara J. Nicholas, a former American Rivers administrator who has overseen wide-ranging conservation efforts with private and federal organizations, has been named executive director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wild Resource Conservation Program.

“Sara’s keen fiscal development skills and extensive knowledge of grants management will help make the program the champion of habitat, non-game species and native wild plants,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “She has the educational and employment background that can propel the program to new frontiers. And, she brings a broad background, hands-on experience and networking skills needed to lead the program toward a more clearly defined mission with an expanded funding base and more effective operating criteria.”

The Wild Resource Conservation Program has reintroduced river otters to Pennsylvania’s waterways and ospreys to its skies, while awarding grants to projects studying and protecting plants, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and other species.

Nicholas leaves a position with American Rivers Mid-Atlantic region where she partnered with local conservation groups to improve waterways through small dam removals, storm water management and watershed protection. She succeeds Dr. Ronald A. Stanley, who retired.

Before American Rivers, Nicholas worked as watershed stewardship coordinator for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and as senior advisor for wetlands and conservation education with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. She also edited Environmental Law Institute publications and specialized in policy and publications addressing Superfund issues with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental news stories were Nicholas’ specialty as a reporter with the Associated Press, Pittsburgh; The Tampa Tribune, Fla.; and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Mass.

Housed within DCNR’s Office of Conservation Science, the Wild Resource Conservation Program works to protect endangered and threatened species—both plants and animals—and strives to educate the public on recognition and preservation of Pennsylvania’s most sensitive flora and fauna.

Nicholas, 46, earned a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Harvard College and a master’s degree in Environmental Science from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences.

A native of the Pittsburgh area, Nicholas and her husband live in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. They are the parents of two teen-aged girls.

For more WCRP details, visit DCNR’s web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

###

2005