Louise Troutman named executive director of Pocono Heritage Land Trust

Louise Troutman, a long-time conservationist with experience in municipal government, was named executive director of the Pocono Heritage Land Trust.
“This is a terrific opportunity for me to work on issues that are vital now and will impact Monroe County for generations into the future,” said Troutman. “Monroe County and the Poconos is a special place, and I’ll get a chance to help protect the attributes and values that make the Poconos so special."
She served six years as Paradise Township Supervisor also served as a member of the Paradise planning commission and Environmental Advisory Committee, and was a member of the Regional Open Space Committee and Pocono Area Recreation Commission.
The land trust is preparing to move into a specially designed nature center on Brodhead Creek. In 2017 it formed a partnership with the Brodhead Watershed Association and Stroud Township to build and operate a year-round nature education center, the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center at the ForEverGreen Nature Preserve.
“After 34 years, it will be great to have a location where the community can visit with us, learn more about land preservation efforts, and enjoy the beauty of natural lands” said President Zech Strauser, “Construction is nearly complete, and Pocono Heritage Land Trust will move into its new digs this fall.”
The land trust was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the natural heritage of the Pocono Mountains region by conserving land and providing educational and recreational activities to inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore their natural world."
The Pocono Mountains contain the largest number of high-quality and exceptional value streams and water systems in Pennsylvania. Its tourism industry supported 36,636 jobs and paid $345.4 million in state and local taxes, according to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Fast Facts 2018. Over a third (37.2 percent) of all the area’s workers are employed within the tourism industry.
"Protecting land and maintaining it as a nature preserve contributes to our quality of life as well as the area’s tourism industry," the land trust says.
For monthly notifications of hikes and other outdoor events offered at land trust nature preserves in Monroe County, text the word “POCONOS” to 42828.
For more information, call 570-730-7202 or visit phlt.org.