Sarah Orsay
What is your favorite local park? My current favorite would have to be the bucolic trails of Huber Woods. A close second are the majestic water vistas found on Hartshorne’s Rocky Point trail.
Why are you passionate about land conservation? I love the incredible open spaces of Monmouth County, from the seaside to the woodland trails to the spacious recreational parks. It is what makes our area unique and popular among residents and visitors alike. In fact, in the last year, we have cleaned out the woodland area around our home, removing invasive species and tree-choking vines, and planted 350 native species saplings. Land conservation and preservation is a more than a labor of love, it is a way of life for our family.
More about Sarah’s unique skills and expertise: Sarah brings to the MCF Board extensive experience in management, fundraising, communications, and providing volunteer oversight and support. Her 30+ year career includes leadership positions in not-for-profit, municipal government, and finance. Highlights include CEO of Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; Director of Business Engagement for The Climate Reality Project (former VP Al Gore’s foundation); Borough of Rumson’s Director of Parks & Recreation; and a Managing Director running sales groups at both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs in New York. Sarah lives in the Navesink section of Middletown with her husband and has three children.
John Smack
What is your favorite local park? One of my favorite locations is the beautiful vista on the Locust side of the Oceanic Bridge. The Atlantic Ocean and Shrewsbury River viewshed is invigorating and, at the same time, relaxing.
Why are you passionate about land conservation? I've been passionate about the environment since my days with the Boy Scouts. I'm presently involved with the resurrection and restoration of the African American Cedar View Cemetery in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Once the work is completed, the cemetery will become not only a restored historic site, but also a park-like haven for wildlife and people.
More about John’s unique skills and expertise: John’s career with the State of New Jersey, Monmouth Probation Division included numerous milestones and accomplishments. He is the first African American to achieve the rank of Master Probation Officer and served as a supervisor for more than 15 years before retiring in 2018. John also served as a State and Local Union Executive and was part of the team that negotiated the first Statewide Contract.
John is passionate about his volunteer leadership work with Cedar View Cemetery, a historic African American Cemetery located in Lincroft. John’s ancestors, going back to his Great, Great, Great Grandfather are interned at Cedar View. John is a life-long resident of the Navesink section of Middletown.
Joe Barris
What is your favorite local park? My favorite outdoor location is the vista from atop Combs Hill near the Visitors Center in Monmouth Battlefield overlooking orchards and farmland. The rolling landscape looks as though it hasn’t been touched since the Battle of Monmouth. The Park combines my interest in open spaces and history and provides a timeless place for me to reflect.
Why are you passionate about land conservation? There is a presumption that all land is developable and should be transformed into something of a “higher use” based on the shifting temporal demands of society. Following this approach, we are left in a world void of open spaces, sustainable natural systems, and healthy places for life to thrive. The work done by the Monmouth Conservation Foundation ensures that our life-dependent natural systems will continue to exist in quantiles large enough to retain their regenerative capabilities beyond that of human disruption and environmental degradation. Knowing the impact on natural systems in places that have historically ignored these economic realities is what motivates me to support land conservation throughout the county.
More about Joe’s unique skills and expertise: Joe currently serves as the Director of Planning for the Monmouth County Division of Planning providing leadership and direction to a broad range of planning areas including development review, strategic and long-range planning, environment and sustainability, community development, and transportation. Additionally, he is a passionate advocate for the arts and previously served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Monmouth Arts. Joe lives in Howell Township, New Jersey.
Aidan Ehrenberg
What is your favorite local park? Huber Woods is my favorite local park. You can’t beat the view of the Navesink River and the wooded trails.
Why are you passionate about land conservation? I grew up in Monmouth County spending my time in the parks and on the waterfront. Through high school and college, I worked in the Adirondacks which fostered my interest in conserving open spaces. Recently, I have been involved with oyster reclamation projects to help build living shorelines in the Two River area.
More about Aidan’s unique skills and expertise: Aidan is an experienced Business Development Manager, currently serving as a Sales Executive for Motorola Solutions. He is an active community volunteer with numerous environmental organizations including the American Littoral Society, Conserve Wildlife New Jersey and, of course, Monmouth Conservation Foundation. Aidan lives in Rumson, New Jersey.