Story and photos submitted by North Branch Land Trust
Local non-profit North Branch Land Trust is pleased to welcome two new staff to their conservation team: Leah Malarkey, Environmental Education Coordinator and Caroline Chronowski, Office Administrator. Leah and Caroline officially began sharing their talents with the Land Trust in October, creating new pathways for engaging with the Land Trust’s conservation mission in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“North Branch Land Trust is very fortunate to welcome Caroline and Leah to our small but mighty conservation team,” said Ellen Ferretti, Executive Director. “We are all committed to live, work and play in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and to serve as a catalyst for appreciation of the natural beauty and bounty of the area.”
Leah Malarkey comes to North Branch with a degree in Early Childhood Education and plenty of experience in Environmental Education. Before joining North Branch, Leah had been an educator at Monroe County Conservation District, Camp Kresge, Wildlands Conservancy, and Hillside Farms. Outside of her professional life, Leah enjoys spending her personal time observing wildlife within nature, creating art using different media forms, and venturing out to new places on the eastern coast with her boyfriend. Leah grew up in the suburbs of Luzerne County, but now resides within rural Mountain Top.
As Environmental Education Coordinator, Leah will develop North Branch Land Trust’s event series including guided hikes, hands on activities, and naturalist talks. North Branch hopes that the community will embrace this new position by attending events and requesting her expertise in the classroom, at Land Trust Preserves and Sanctuaries, and all public lands in the region. Leah will also work with staff to develop educational outreach materials and articles about regional stewardship and appreciating Northeastern Pennsylvania’s natural resources.
“I am genuinely so excited to work with such a passionate group of people at North Branch, who strive to preserve our natural lands and educate the public on the purpose of conservation. I hope to be able to create a greater connection with other local organizations and the public through engaging educational programs,” said Leah.
Caroline Chronowski joined North Branch Land Trust after more than thirty years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre where she most recently served as Director of Information Technology. Her background in IT, as well as her leadership and volunteerism throughout the region and passion for the mission led her to the Land Trust. Outside of her professional life, Caroline enjoys gardening for wildlife with native plants, birdwatching, and exploring local history. Caroline resides in Falls with her husband George.
As Office Administrator, Caroline will play a vital role in supporting the North Branch team and enhancing our conservation operations. She will assist with managing schedules, coordinating events, and ensuring effective communication within and beyond the organization.
“It’s thrilling to be sharing my talents in a new way conserving and protecting our beautiful natural landscapes. I love to work with both nature and my community, so North Branch Land Trust is a perfect fit,” Caroline said.
Their dedication and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to North Branch Land Trust’s ongoing efforts and initiatives.
“We are so excited to have both Leah and Caroline onboard,” said Emma Thompson, Conservation and Stewardship Director. “They bring unique talents and skill sets to North Branch and we can’t wait to showcase their abilities.”
For more information about North Branch Land Trust and its conservation efforts, please visit nblt.org.
North Branch Land Trust partners with landowners, communities, and stakeholders to conserve and care for Northeastern Pennsylvania’s lands and waters. North Branch Land Trust is a registered 501(c)(3) conservation nonprofit operating in an eight-county region of Pennsylvania (Bradford, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Columbia) in the North Branch Susquehanna and Upper Lehigh Watersheds.