Career environmentalist Michael Catania has been appointed as executive director of Duke Farms in northern Hillsborough Township.
Mr. Catania will oversee the environmental center’s more than 2,700 acres, of which about 900 are open to the public, making it one of the largest properties of its kind.Mr. Catania brings more than 35 years of experience in conservation, environmental and land use policy issues in New Jersey to Duke Farms.
He succeeds Timothy M. Taylor, who was executive director for nine years until FALL? .
Mr. Catania served as deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, a visiting professor at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and Cook College of Rutgers University, and as executive director of the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey.
”It is difficult to imagine any individual in the state of New Jersey with an environmental track record as broad and successful as Michael’s,” said Ed Henry, president and CEO of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Mr. Catania previously served as founder and president of Conservation Resources, a non-profit organization. ’Since 2003, Conservation Resources have provided more than $120 million in financial assistance to more than 60 conservation organizations. He created and oversaw the largest system of privately owned nature preserves in New Jersey.
”I am thrilled to continue the mission of sustainability and stewardship that is so central to the programs and land at Duke Farms,” said Mr. Catania. “I look forward to working with the staff here and inviting the public to continue to explore Duke Farms as we offer innovative ways to embrace these tenants of environmental conservation in a manner that is accessible to all.”
Duke Farms has seen about 250,000 visitors since re-opening in May 2012. It welcomes visitors free of charge, six days a week, year round. Nearly 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking are available throughout Duke Farms, offering ample opportunities for passive recreation. Educational programs for all levels, including professionals, are available. Research projects are conducted with program partners such as Rutgers University and NJ Audubon. Duke Farms says it operates the largest community garden in New Jersey.
Mr. Catania has served as a consultant to Duke Farms for the last eight years on issues of conservation and environmental policy.
Mr. Catania has also held numerous leadership positions with various organizations in the environmental community, including chair of the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust; president of the Schiff Natural Lands Trust; co-chair of the Stockton Alliance; co-chair of the Coalition to Preserve Natural Resources, and as founder and chairman of the Coalition for Conservation.
Mr. Catania holds a BA and MA in political science from Rutgers University as well as a juris doctoral degree from Rutgers School of Law. He is a member of the state bar. He resides in Mendham Township, where he and his wife, Jan Rosenfeld, own and operate a permanently preserved farm with their two children.

