“Each project is nuanced and never exactly the same as the last,” Kris says. “That’s what keeps the work interesting and challenging, and motivates me to develop creative ways to make projects happen.”
In addition to a love of the outdoors and old structures, Kris has more than 20 years of land-use planning and conservation experience.
Kris assumed her current role in September 2023 and brings her passion and professionalism to the organization’s mission while continuing to oversee land conservation efforts. She is key in implementing the organization’s new strategic plan, which prioritizes protecting more land, proactively addressing climate change, and broadening historic preservation efforts.
Born and raised in Kutztown, the second oldest borough in Berks County, PA, Kris grew up among working farms and natural, open landscapes. “Home instilled a deep appreciation of nature and historic resources that ultimately inspired my pursuits both personally and professionally,” says Kris. “As a kid, I played in the Saucony Creek, rode horses, and hiked to the peak of the Pinnacle on the Appalachian Trail. As an adult, I became more interested in the historic structures that help define the area.”
Kris’s parents are retired professors from Kutztown University, where she earned a degree in Business Management. While in college, she worked at the Rodale Institute (then, Rodale Research Center), a 300-acre experimental organic farm located just outside of Kutztown. After graduating, she became a publicist for health and wellness magazines at Rodale Press. She went on to be a Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Allentown Art Museum before heading to Portland, Oregon for a stint as a nanny.
“I always wanted to live in Oregon and when the chance came, I ran. The lush Pacific Northwest landscape and craftsman bungalows solidified my desire for a career in conservation.”
After enjoying two years in Portland, Kris returned to the east coast and earned a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania. She also completed the Historic Preservation certificate program at Bucks County Community College.
In 2002, Kris began work as a Community Planner for the Bucks County Planning Commission, reviewing subdivision and land development plans and helping municipalities develop comprehensive plans.
“But I always knew I wanted to do active land conservation,” says Kris. “That was the goal.”
That opportunity came in 2005. Kris served as Open Space Coordinator for Bucks County’s Open Space Program until 2013. In that role, she administered three grant programs that funded land preservation efforts and helped organize the county’s second voter-approved bond referendum in 2007 for an additional $87 million to continue the program.
“The county open space program was extremely successful. Every municipality received funding and there was a great deal of collaboration among government entities and conservation partners,” notes Kris. Partners like Heritage Conservancy.
During her years with the county, Kris worked with Heritage Conservancy on many projects and was drawn to its mission. Kris joined the organization as Senior Land Conservationist in August 2013, having gained an “appreciation for what we do on this side of the table.”
In addition to working for a mission-focused nonprofit with a team of like-minded colleagues, Kris was excited by the opportunity to interact with landowners and help them achieve their goals of preserving land that they love.
In this role, Kris used her expertise as a planner and understanding of zoning and land use regulations to execute conservation projects for the benefit of both people and nature for generations to come.
Three years after joining Heritage Conservancy, Kris became Director of Resource Protection, leading the team facilitating conservation acquisition projects and monitoring Heritage Conservancy-held easements.
Kris has overseen the expansion of land conservation efforts, more than doubling the number of Heritage Conservancy’s active projects to about 60. Additions to the staff have increased capacity to take on even more important work.
“Because of generous funding Heritage Conservancy has received, we are able to respond to and explore inquiries that in the past we would have had to pass on,” she says.
Kris looks forward to expanding and deepening the continuing work of Heritage Conservancy and its impact in the region, and she works to inspire others to embrace the mission.
“I get energized by looking at all of the protected acres throughout Bucks County and even the vulnerable ones that remind you there’s more to do.”
In addition to day-to-day responsibilities, Kris also led the organization’s reaccreditation through the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
Now as Vice President, Kris guides the direction of the organization’s programs, including conservation acquisitions and easement stewardship activities, as well as community and educational outreach programs, historic preservation, and grants management. “I’m proud to work with each member of our team. Each person brings their enthusiasm and expertise to initiate and accomplish great work, both individually and together,” she says.
“Our teams intentionally collaborate to feature Heritage Conservancy properties and easements as examples of our mission in action and to engage and educate the public.”
In her new role, Kris wants to maximize the value of work the organization has already done and design programs around Heritage Conservancy’s nature preserves and privately owned eased properties. For example, showcasing successful habitat restoration projects like pollinator meadows, tree plantings, or pond management that provide landowners with the tools and knowledge to steward their own properties.
Additional projects and events will invite community members, whether an energetic group of third-graders or a quiet group of birders, to experience nature and be inspired to become stewards of the natural environment.
Kris plans to spearhead the same growth in the Conservancy’s historic preservation programming. Bucks County is steeped in history, both in its physical landscape of the built and natural world and its memoirs of events that happened here. “We have a lot of exciting ideas to bring the region’s history alive,” says Kris.
“Heritage Conservancy’s work is important to me – the mission, the places, and the people. These are values that touch my soul and are important to me.”
When not at Aldie Mansion, Kris enjoys being outdoors with her good boy Max, rock climbing at Ralph Stover, practicing yoga, and dreaming about another renovation project in future.