OUR TEAM
Executive Director
Patrick Lynch
Patrick Lynch is a conservation leader with more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He has advised municipalities on water infrastructure improvements and land acquisitions, served in leadership roles at watershed associations and other conservation groups, and supported intertribal environmental causes to advance Native sovereignty. Recently, Patrick has spoken at community Rotary Clubs, Trout Unlimited, Adirondack Research Symposium, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Onondaga County Council on Environmental Health. In his role at CNY Land Trust, he oversees a portfolio of 57 nature preserves and a team that includes 3 staff and more than 175 volunteers across the region.
Patrick holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School and a Bachelor’s in Economics and English Literature from Fairfield University. He serves on the Advisory Boards of the Onondaga County Greenways + Blueways program, the Oneida Lake Watershed and Otisco Lake Watershed 9E Plans, and on the Communications Committee of the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition. Patrick is a Member of the World Commission on Environmental Law, stemming from the eight years he spent building coalitions to improve Chilean water policy and protect rivers in the Patagonia region of South America. He is fluent in Spanish, and is available to speak to community groups in English or Spanish about the public benefits of saving land across Central New York. He lives in Pompey with his wife and lovable cat, and in the warmer months you can usually find him paddling the Erie Canal System. Follow his adventures on Instagram, Threads and Bluesky at @plynchrivers.
Development Manager
Devon Dunbar
Devon Dunbar has a robust background in the nonprofit sector, and brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to support our mission of preserving and protecting lands throughout Central New York.
Following her undergraduate work in Environmental Studies at SUNY Potsdam, Devon attended SUNY-ESF for graduate school to study Environmental Policy. Since then, she has held impactful positions at Adirondack Experience and New York Funders Alliance, focusing on nonprofit memberships, operations, and development. Devon also has experience in grant writing for nonprofits, making her an invaluable part of our fundraising team to help secure the future of The Central New York Land Trust.
Outside of work, Devon enjoys wood-burning crafts and kayaking and hiking in CNY and the Adirondacks with her husband. She is excited to share her passion for Central New York’s natural landscapes with the Land Trust's many members and followers.
Office Operations Manager
Jan Witter
Jan Witter has been with The Central New York Land Trust for the past 5 years - first as Office Administrator and now as Office Operations Manager.
Although her background is in law, banking, and education, Jan brings an enthusiasm for environmental conservation and a support for the Land Trust's mission and vision for Central New York that goes above and beyond the call of duty. Jan has been instrumental in orchestrating the Land Trust's staff and Board of Directors to stay on target for projects and events, maintain budget goals, adhere to regulatory guidelines, educate the public on the Land Trust's mission, and raise funds to continue the organization's conservation work of over 50 years in Central New York.
Jan has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master's in Literacy from SUNY Cortland. In her spare time, Jan enjoys walking, hiking exploring old cemeteries, and reading.
GIS Volunteer
Martin Weiss
Since 2019, Marty Weiss has been our go-to volunteer map-maker, creating detailed preserve maps that help bring CNY Land Trust properties (new, old, and prospective) to life. Before joining us, he spent years in a similar role with Oswego County, where one of his proudest achievements was developing an interactive 3-D "Story Map" highlighting public hiking lands.
In retirement, Marty channels his passion for GIS, hiking, and public service into conservation work and also volunteers at Syracuse's Museum of Science and Technology, where he shares his love of geology with visitors of all ages.
Motivated by a belief in protecting the natural world for future generations, Marty says he is more than happy to keep volunteering while he is able. We are so grateful for his dedication and the clarity his maps bring to our mission.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
We're Hiring!
CNY Land Trust is growing. We are currently seeking applicants for a full-time, permanent Land Stewardship Manager, as well as two part-time Land Steward Interns to work with us over the summer.
You can apply via Handshake if you have an account, or you can submit a CV and Cover Letter to adminstaff@CNYLandTrust.org indicating which position you are applying for.
Handshake Links:
Click Below for Full Job Descriptions:
The Land Stewardship Manager plays a vital role in the protection and ongoing care of the Central New York Land Trust's nature preserves, a portfolio that currently includes 57 preserves in 21 municipalities across Onondaga, Oswego, and Madison counties. The Stewardship Manager works to carry out fieldwork, land management, program management, volunteer coordination, and stewardship activities to ensure the long-term ecological health and public enjoyment of these conserved lands. Stewardship efforts must align with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Standards and Practices to support CNYLT's accreditation; previous experience working at or partnering with an accredited land trust is preferred. The Stewardship Manager also supports the Land Trust's involvement in regional, city-wide, and community-based sustainability planning in support of our mission, and supporting our efforts to work with Onondaga Nation and Native-led partner organizations living and working in what is now Central New York. The ideal candidate will have experience with program management, conservation and stewardship initiatives, fieldwork, familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance, and a proven ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. This is an exciting chance to join a growing conservation organization, at a time when significant changes to the region are creating both a sense of urgency and an opportunity to save land in the Great Lakes.
Land Stewardship Interns (2 Positions Available for Summer 2026
Land Steward Interns will support the Stewardship Manager during the 2026 stewardship season. Stewardship Interns work to carry out fieldwork, land management, volunteer coordination, and stewardship activities to ensure long-term ecological health and public enjoyment of these conserved lands. Stewardship efforts must align with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Standards and Practices to support CNYLT's accreditation. Stewardship Interns also support the Land Trust's involvement in regional, city-wide, and community-based sustainability planning in support of our mission, and supporting our efforts to work with Onondaga Nation and Native-led partner organizations living and working in what is now Central New York. The ideal candidates will have experience with conservation and stewardship initiatives, fieldwork, and a proven ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
OUR BOARD
Andrew Ramsgard
Board Chair
Executive Committee
Stewardship Committee (Chair)
Owner, Ramsgard Architectural Design
Stephen Schwab
Board Vice Chair
Executive Committee
Stewardship Committee
Acquisition Committee (Chair)
Retired, Dentist
Loren Wahl
Board Treasurer
Executive Committee
Finance Committee (Chair)
CPA and Tax Manager, Bowers & Company CPAs, PLLC
Holly Granat
Board Secretary
Executive Committee
Acquisition Committee
Governance Committee
Revitalization Specialist, NYS Department of State
Margaret Boscor
Acquisition Committee
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Retired, Nonprofit Financial Administration
Lauren E. Darcy
Fundraising/Membership Committee
Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Specialist, NY Sea Grant
Robert Dewitt
Acquisition Committee
Owner, Lakeview Auto
Edward Glaza
Stewardship Committee
Anchor QEA
Steven Kulick
Finance Committee
Fundraising/Membership Committee (Chair)
Director of Foundation & Government Relations, LeMoyne College
Andrew Obernesser
Governance Committee
Director of Community Investment, CenterState CEO
Jane Rice
Governance Committee (Chair)
Retired Community Planner
Margaret Ries
Fundraising/Membership Committee
Governance Committee
Marketing Leader, Brierley Associates
Christopher Sandstrom
Stewardship Committee
Owner, Cayuga Tree Services, Inc.
Richard Smardon
Acquisition Committee
Stewardship Committee
Professor Emeritus, SUNY-ESF
