Our Team

President

Christopher M. Kocher

No stranger to the Lehigh Valley or Wildlands, president Christopher Kocher’s 15+-year tenure

began when he joined our organization as an environmental scientist in 1995. Throughout his career, he’s raised community awareness about the region’s specific conservation needs, and has notably developed several key, broad-based partnerships that continue to be vital to fulfilling our land protection, environmental stewardship and education mission.

His conservation work has been recognized statewide by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and other like-minded organizations.

Chris and his wife, Sheila, live in Whitehall and are parents to Ella, Jack and their loveable yellow lab, Daisy. As a family, they enjoy connecting with nature on the Ironton Rail Trail and the nearby Coplay Creek.

Executive Administrative Assistant

Sara Phillips

Prior to joining Wildlands in 2008, Sara Phillips held executive assistant positions in the corporate sector and also worked in office management and facilities coordination. Of note is her more than three decades with Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where she worked for the chairman and CEO for 17+ years and later entered human resources. Sara is married and resides in the Bethlehem area. She loves walking her three furry boys, Teddy B (miniature poodle), Parker Dugan (miniature schnauzer) and Redford (standard poodle), whom she is training to be a therapy dog.

VP of Conservation

Abigail Pattishall, Ph.D.

Dr. Abigail Pattishall came to Wildlands as a biologist in 2000. she oversees Wildlands’ conservation mission, including land preservation, habitat restoration, and the stewardship of our nature preserves.. Abby’s research interests and expertise involve understanding the unique ecology of urban environments and how and why some species thrive in human-dominated ecosystems when others cannot. She has published several papers about the ecology, anatomy and behavior of water snakes. Abby holds a Ph.D. in integrative biology from Lehigh University. She speaks Spanish and recently earned a B.A. in Spanish from Cedar Crest College. In her free time, Abigail enjoys traveling the world with her husband and their two daughters.

Property Steward Associate

Andrew Barron

Andrew joined Wildlands in 2013 as a volunteer after moving to the Lehigh Valley. His love for the outdoors and the Wildlands mission kept him returning almost every day until he was hired part-time in 2014. Shortly after,he was hired full time as a Property Steward Associate and has enjoyed every day of it since.

When not working on maintaining or improving the property, he can usually be found hiking it or canoeing on the little lehigh. Being able to work outside everyday for such a good cause is a dream come true for Andrew.

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Conservation Outreach Coordinator

Dennis DeMara

Dennis DeMara joined Wildlands October 2016 after a successful 40-year career in conservation, recreation and natural resource planning and implementation.

As Director of Parks and Recreation for Carbon County; assisting in the planning and development of the D&L Corridor and supervising DCNR’s grants program for 15 counties in NE Pa, Dennis became Wildlands first Conservation Outreach Coordinator.

Dennis enthusiastically pursues the Wildlands mission of conservation and education. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and drive using his B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Penn State and expertise in municipal and non-profit leadership outreach.

Dennis is a lifelong resident of Carbon County, a husband, and father of 4. You may see him riding his bike on the D&L Trail

Senior Restoration Ecologist

Kate Ebel

Prior to assuming her current role in 2014, Kate Ebel served Wildlands as a seasonal naturalist who led nature-based education programs for school-age children participating in summer camp. She’s also volunteered her talents with Wildlands as an undergraduate attending the University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Kate holds a M.S.  in Wildlife Biology & Conservation from Edinburgh Napier University and a B.S. in environmental studies with a concentration in ecology and conservation. She enjoys hiking, nature photography and exploring new places.

Director of Ecological Restoration

Kristie Fach

Kristie Fach joined Wildlands in 2008 and has more than 15 years of experience in the environmental field. She oversees and implements a wide array of projects that further Wildlands’ environmental stewardship goals, from removing large dams to conducting experiments about forest regeneration. Kristie holds a B.S. in biology from Moravian College and is an avid athlete and outdoorswoman. She especially loves hiking and camping with her husband and two young boys.

Director of Land Preservation

Dawn Gorham, Ph.D.

Dawn Gorham joined Wildlands in summer 2015 as the Director of Land Preservation. She supports Wildlands’ mission to protect critical natural areas and waterways by overseeing  the acquisition of land and conservation easements.  Prior to joining Wildlands, Dawn was the executive director of Pocono Heritage Land Trust. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental and forest biology from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry and resides in the Poconos.

Preserve Manager

Michael Hock

Michael joined Wildlands in 2017 as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist. He holds a M.S. in ecology from Binghamton University where he spent time as a teaching assistant. Prior to coming on board, he completed an internship with The Nature Center. A Lehigh Valley native, Michael is enthusiastic about the outdoor opportunities the area provides. His hobbies include hiking, fishing, travel and photography.

Director of Property Stewardship

Carl Martin

Carl Martin came to Wildlands in 2011 and has more than 30 years of experience in the field. His passion for conservation shows up in his everyday responsibilities including overseeing all conservation easements, preserves, and facilities in addition to the development and implementation of natural resource stewardship plans. Before joining Wildlands, Carl worked at Heritage Conservancy and the Lancaster County Conservancy. In the field, in his free time, and while standing in the stream fly-fishing, Carl enjoys spending time with his golden retriever, Beans.

Real Estate Manager

Adam Keller

Adam Keller has worked in real estate and right-of-way related fields for 35+ years, dedicating most of the past decade to conservation-focused, land trust work. Adam joined Wildlands in 2008, and he enjoys helping preserve open space and recreation opportunities for our families and for future generations. He is also a fan of swimming and canoeing (sometimes on the same trip)! He also likes to bicycle for recreation, not for competition. He believes that Pennsylvania is a wonderful state to explore and that the Lehigh Valley is a great place to live.

Conservation Planner

Maggie Witmer

Maggie Witmer joined Wildlands as a conservation planner in 2022, following a prior role in national defense and utilities as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician. She holds a B.S. in geography with minors in GIS and climatology from Penn State University, and given her passion for the outdoors and land preservation, she is grateful to be advancing the work of local conservation. Maggie’s mapping expertise helps the land trust bring land protection and land-planning priorities into view. In her spare time, Witmer enjoys reading thriller novels, visiting breweries, and spending time with her family including pets.

VP of Development & Communications

Elizabeth Dugan

Elizabeth Dugan holds over 15 years of dedicated service to Wildlands Conservancy and is a seasoned leader who strategizes the organization’s philanthropic activities, community engagement, communications, volunteering, and partnerships. She is instrumental in advancing the mission of Wildlands by fostering relationships, securing funds for critical land protection projects, capital nature preserve improvements, and innovative education initiatives. Her professional experience includes fundraising positions with The Devereux Foundation and the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Elizabeth holds a B.A. in communications from DeSales University. In her free time, she spends time outside running, hiking, and exploring state and national parks with her family.

Director of Development

Jackie Jones

Jackie Jones joined Wildlands’ development team in 2022, bringing more than thirty years of fundraising expertise to the organization’s development director role. Her career includes professional experiences with the Allentown Art Museum, Historic Bethlehem, as well as institutions of higher education.

Jones came to the Lehigh Valley by way of New England, where she grew up in Massachusetts. She holds B.A. from Assumption University, and a M. Ed from Northeastern University.

Jones calls Schnecksville home, and she enjoys all the get-outdoors destinations the Lehigh Valley offers for hiking and biking.

Senior Communications Specialist

Veronica Rosenberger

Veronica Rosenberger joined Wildlands Conservancy in April 2023. She is a Lehigh Valley native and holds a B.A. in communication studies from Kutztown University. In 2021, she interned to serve the organization’s education and communications areas and is excited to be back with Wildlands. Merging her passions for creativity and conservation, her role supports Wildlands’ social media, brand identity, print and digital media, and fundraising. She has a heart for nonprofit communications, and her career includes prior roles with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Community Action Lehigh Valley.

In her free time, Veronica enjoys hiking, foraging, art, and spending time with her dog, Mel.

Director of Communications

Megan Sciarrino

Megan Sciarrino came to Wildlands in 2012. She enjoys marriying her professional skills with her love of the outdoors. Her marketing communications career includes roles in higher education, laboratory medicine, and community banking. Megan lives in the Lehigh Valley with her husband, Tom, and their daughters. Her hobbies include creative writing, nature photography, and cooking.

Volunteer & Events Coordinator

Nic Ziegler

Nic Ziegler was employed by Wildlands Conservancy from 2014-2021 in both the Education and Conservation teams and rejoined in 2022. He graduated from Wright State University with a B.S. of Middle Childhood Education. A transplant to the Lehigh Valley from the Midwest, He enjoys exploring the wealth of outdoor opportunities throughout the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions.

Development Associate

Alexis Van Billiard

Alexis Van Billiard joined Wildlands Conservancy in June 2023. She graduated with a B.A. in environmental policy and economics from Moravian College. A Lehigh Valley native, Alexis is mission-driven and happy to be among like-minded colleagues. She has a passion for nonprofit development and making a lasting difference in the region she calls home.

In her free time, Alexis enjoys biking, crafting clothing, plant-based baking, sustainable agriculture, and advocating for food justice.

Director of School Programs & Summer Camps

Denise Bauer

Denise Bauer is well known among local scouts, school-age children and community members as a knowledgeable, fun-loving naturalist. She’s been with Wildlands since 1994. Denise is certainly fond of all the education animals, but must admit that the owls are her favorites. She lives near the Ironton Rail Trail with her husband of 30+ years, and has two daughters who have grown up volunteering and leading programs at Wildlands. She also plays mom to two cats and a snake.

Wildlife Education and Care Coordinator

Haley D’Agostino

Haley came to Wildlands Conservancy in 2019, thrilled by the daily opportunity to teach people of all ages about conservation. She has had a heart for wildlife for as long as she can recall, and that passion inspired her to obtain her B.A. in biology from Kutztown University. While earning her degree, she served as an animal care intern with Wildlands.  Today, as the Wildlife Education & Care Coordinator, she oversees the care of the organization’s wildlife education animals,  a diversity of 50 animal ambassadors, including birds of prey, mammals, and reptiles.

In her free time, Haley enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and taking care of her own animals.

Environmental Education Coordinator

Arianna Kohler

Arianna joined Wildlands Conservancy as a seasonal assistant in 2017 and grew through seasonal and year-round roles. She is passionate about teaching people of all ages to feel comfortable in and connect with nature. In her current role as Environmental Education Coordinator, she oversees programming for our campers and students at local schools. She holds a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a minor in Ecology from Susquehanna University.

In her free time, Arianna enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and curling up with a good read.

Senior Environmental Educator

Nicole Landis

Growing up around the Lehigh Valley, Nicole always had a close connection to nature. Most of her youth was spent exploring the great outdoors, with many fond memories of traversing the grounds of Wildlands Conservancy’s Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary at a young age. Her continuing admiration for nature led her to seek a degree that would allow further exploration of her wild passions. In 2018 she graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in environmental geography, and began working as an environmental educator at Wildlands. In her free time, she enjoys all things outdoors, including mountain biking, hiking, and tennis.

VP of Education

Scott J. Cope

Scott came to Wildlands in 2007 and today oversees the organization’s environmental education and outdoor recreation programming, including K-12 school programs, care of our live wildlife ambassadors, outreach, community programs, canoeing, biking, and summer camps. His professional experience includes working for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and serving as bureau chief of recreation for Whitehall Township, which notably involved the development of the Ironton Rail Trail. Scott was active on several local and statewide boards and committees and is a former certified parks and recreation professional. In his free time, Scott enjoys sports and spending time with his family where he is happily married for more than 40 years and has two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandkids.

VP of Finance and Operations

Dan Giannelli

Dan Giannelli joined Wildlands in 1998. He oversees the organization’s financial operations as well as the coordination of human resources and personnel matters. He also manages the setup and troubleshooting of Wildlands’ technology systems. Dan is passionate about volunteering and has done so with the National Ski Patrol at Blue Mountain Resort for almost 20 years and his church band for over 15 years. In his free time, Dan enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Mary, hiking and biking the trails of the Lehigh Valley as well as guitar and local bluegrass artists.

Director of Accounting and Human Resources

Renee Guzenski

Renee Guzenski joined Wildlands in 2003 and is responsible for the accounting and human resources activities of the organization. She lives in Whitehall with her husband and school-age son and daughter. Both of her children enjoy getting outdoors through Wildlands’ education offerings. Renee’s pastimes include listening to music and reading novels.