After 19 years as a conservation professional, I decided to launch Strong Outcomes to use what I learned to help environmental agencies and organizations be more successful.

In my career, I have helped dozens of communities and organizations build capacity to conserve natural resources and authored a book on natural resource-based land use planning. I developed conservation plans, organized workshops and events, developed community engagement strategies, and implemented practical measures of success.

I have a BS in Biology and an MS in Biodiversity Conservation and Policy from the University at Albany, and a Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University. I am a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program and have 13 years of nonprofit board experience.

Conservation Impact and Nonprofit Impact are client-centered practices of our mission-driven company dedicated to helping organizations become more impactful, successful, and sustainable.

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private, non-operating foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale, with particular focus on Boston and New England. In addition, the Foundations fund nonprofit organizations that strengthen the primary communities in which Fidelity Investments employees live and work. The Foundations’ values of responsibility, integrity, compassion, and expertise guide its investments in education, arts and culture, health, conservation, and community services.

Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania is a charitable, volunteer organization of women, men and youth who share interests in gardening, civic beautification, floral design, and conservation of natural resources, environmental and legislative issues through local clubs.

Sarah is skilled at managing organizational change, developing and mentoring people and managing complex projects. She has worked in the not-for-profit, research, technology and education fields and has over twenty years of experience, most recently in the land trust community. Sarah served in several leadership roles at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, including Director of Human Resources for five years and the Director of Stewardship for three years prior. She was instrumental in supporting the growth of the organization with attention to culture, development of staff and volunteers and monitoring benchmarks and outcomes. Sarah has extensive experience in the creation, implementation, and review of policies and procedures, and successfully led the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy through the accreditation process in 2009 and again in 2014. Today, Sarah supports land trusts as they plan and prepare for accreditation. She provides guidance and training to develop people and systems to meet the goals of the organization.

The Natural Areas Association is the only national, non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to the support and advancement of the community of natural areas professionals, and we have been dedicated to that mission for more than 40 years.

We provide sound science and learning opportunities to those who manage our land and water resources and directly participate in restoration and conservation efforts. Our community includes natural lands and natural resource managers, land trust staff and volunteers, biologists, ecologists, researchers, policy specialists, educators and students.

NAA publishes the quarterly, peer-reviewed Natural Areas Journal, hosts the annual Natural Areas Conference, conducts regional on-the-ground workshops and provides the opportunity for virtual learning through webinars and other online resources.

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association helps people conserve the lands needed for healthy, prosperous, and secure communities — the forests, farms, parks, urban gardens and other green places that safeguard our drinking water, prevent flooding, protect wildlife, provide recreational and economic opportunities, and preserve scenic beauty and community treasures. The Association accomplishes this by helping nonprofits and local governments improve their effectiveness and efficiency in acquiring and stewarding land and easements, advancing sustainable land use practices, and connecting people to the outdoors. The Association also fosters public understanding of conservation, advocates for sound governmental policy, and leads state and national endeavors to achieve far-reaching advancements in conservation.