Hillsborough resident Patricia Ruby has joined the Hunterdon Land Trust, based in Flemington, as its executive director.
”I grew up close to Hunterdon County and always enjoyed the family farms and beautiful landscapes that define the area and make me feel that I truly belong to this place,” Ms. Ruby said. “I am very fortunate that my career allows me to help communities maintain a high quality of life so that our children and grandchildren continue to enjoy the rural and historic character of Hunterdon.”
Ms. Ruby came from the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, where she served as program manager of the award-winning Sustainable Jersey program.
In addition to working with the Sustainable Jersey Program, Ms. Ruby worked with the Lamington Conservancy and the Raritan Headwaters Association (formerly the Upper Raritan Watershed Association). She holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where she focused on planning, policy and sustainable development.
”Ms. Ruby’s background in environmental conservation and sustainability is an excellent match with the land trust’s work to preserve the natural beauty and resources of Hunterdon County” said Ron Monaco, president of the Board of Trustees.
Ms. Ruby succeeds Margaret Waldock, who grew the organization from an all-volunteer effort to a staff of six. After eight years with the land trust Ms. Waldock accepted a position as the director of the environment program with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Ms. Ruby’s first day at the Hunterdon Land Trust was June 20.
”I am looking forward to building on the great work that Margaret Waldock and the rest of the land trust staff have done,” said Ms. Ruby. “Not only do our natural landscapes offer us an escape, a place to get perspective and see how we are a small part of something much greater than ourselves, but they also provide us with clean air and water, fresh local food, and flood control. These lands help keep property values high, tax burdens low and support a rural economy.”
Founded in 1996, the Hunterdon Land Trust is committed to preserving and protecting the rural landscapes by working with landowners to donate or sell land or its development rights.
