New director for Orange County Land Trust

Middletown — Orange County Land Trust has chosen a new executive director, Fred Harding, to take the place of the current director, John Gebhards, who is retiring at the end of the year. With over 25 years of experience in corporate management, and a master in business administration from Rutgers, Harding brings leadership skills and bottom-line focus to the rapidly-growing land trust. A lifelong area resident, Harding is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He was active in the creation of 14 miles of the D & H Canal Towpath, a linear park running from Orange to Ulster County. “I’m delighted to be a part of this organization at a time when it is filling such an important need in Orange County,” said Harding. “During a period of unprecedented growth, local residents and business leaders are calling for increased attention to quality-of-life issues. Orange County Land Trust is making an important contribution by working to help landowners and developers set aside important natural areas, providing public preserves throughout the county, and working to help protect clean water resources.” Founded in 1993 by a group of visionaries, the land trust was an all-volunteer organization until 2001, when increased demands for service mandated the hiring of an executive director. A director of development was hired in 2002, and a part-time administrative assistant joined the staff in 2005. Their efforts are leveraged by over fifty volunteers and board members. For more information, call 343-0840, or write to info@oclt.org or 25 Orchard Street, P.O. Box 2442, Middletown NY 10940.