Winnakee Land Trust Welcomes Todd Waldron as Senior Program Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 28, 2025 

Rhinebeck, NY – Winnakee Land Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Todd Waldron as our new Senior Program Director, a newly created leadership role that will oversee both our Land Conservation and Land Activation departments, as well as guide our natural capital and collaborative resource initiatives. This strategic addition reflects Winnakee’s continued growth and deepening commitment to the active stewardship of the lands we protect.

With over 25 years of leadership in conservation, Todd brings a rare blend of experience in forestland management, nonprofit strategy, private landowner engagement, and sustainable resource planning across the Northeast. His appointment marks a significant step forward in advancing Winnakee’s mission to protect and restore vital landscapes while fostering resilient communities for the future.

Todd’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to forest stewardship and ecological resilience. Prior to joining Winnakee, he served as the Northeastern Region Forest Conservation Director at the Ruffed Grouse Society and as a Forestland Project Manager at F&W Forestry Services. He holds a Master’s in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech., and both a B.S. in Forest Resource Management and an A.A.S. in Forest Technology from SUNY ESF.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Todd Waldron to Winnakee. Todd’s unparalleled depth of experience in forest stewardship, natural resource management, and conservation finance represents a major milestone for our organization. Leaders with Todd’s combination of strategic vision, hands-on forestry expertise, and proven ability to build impactful partnerships are exceptionally rare in the land trust community. As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, his leadership will help accelerate our mission to deliver transformative conservation outcomes and deepen our commitment to ecological resilience and sustainability across the region.” – Bob Davis, Winnakee’s CEO

An avid outdoorsman and conservation mentor, Todd spends his free time hunting, fly-tying, trail running, and sharing his love for the natural world through storytelling and education.

“For me, conservation has always been about people and place—connecting local communities to the land in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and grounded in good stewardship. I am thrilled to join Winnakee, a team that shares these values and is leading the way in how we care for forests, restore habitats, and activate the land for future generations.” – Todd Waldron

In his new role, Todd will directly oversee two key leadership positions within Winnakee’s land protection program:

• Senior Conservation Biologist & Director of Parks and Ecological Preserves
• Senior Forester & Director of Strategic Acquisition

Alongside the forestry expertise of CEO Bob Davis, this team will continue to advance Winnakee’s work in land protection, habitat restoration, silviculture, ecosystem enhancement, water quality improvements, and public access to nature.

Todd will also collaborate closely with Winnakee’s Senior Director of External Affairs to expand outreach, workshops, and resources for private landowners. These initiatives aim to empower forest owners to manage their lands as natural climate solutions, enhancing carbon capture, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.

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