Kacey Wetzel joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2007 and now leads the Trust’s Capacity Building, Community Engagement, and Environmental Education programs. Kacey works with funding partners, non-profit organizations, and community leaders to identify and develop projects that improve both community and environmental well-being.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Kacey graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a CPH in Social Marketing from the University of South Florida. Kacey has studied water and waste management in the Dominican Republic and environmental sustainability in Costa Rica. Prior to her work with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, she worked as an environmental scientist with SAV Engineers. Kacey lives with her husband Doug, and her incredibly sweet and often mischievous dogs. In her spare time, Kacey enjoys volunteering as a Maryland master gardener, swimming, biking, hiking, and traveling.

Sadie joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2014. At the Trust she leads the restoration programs that include implementation projects, research efforts, and innovative county watershed and citizen engagement grant programs. She has background in environmental science with a M.S. in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Tennessee Technological University. Sadie’s work focuses on watershed restoration and stormwater management to support policy, training, and outreach initiatives. At the Trust Sadie enjoys working with partners to form strong grant programs that benefit the water and people in the Chesapeake Bay.

Prior to joining the Trust, Sadie was as a Watershed Researcher and Planner for the Center for Watershed Protection where she developed watershed management strategies for local communities and was a USEPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office coordinator. Before working at the Center, Sadie was a Research Specialist in the Science and Policy Division of SC’s coastal management program, worked at the USDA Center for Forested Wetlands in SC, and was an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellow for the US Department of Energy in Tennessee.

Sadie lives in Shady Side with her husband, Josh, their dog, Riley, and two cats, Olive and Ramona. Sadie enjoys volunteering in the community, mentoring with My Sister’s Circle, and trying new restaurants.

Abbi Huntzinger joined the Trust in August 2015 after a rewarding 10 years working in private practice as a Registered Landscape Architect. As a Senior Program Officer for the Chesapeake Bay Trust, she combines her knowledge of restorative landscapes with an ability to build teams and partnerships to leverage resources in order to protect our waterways. She is honored to manage projects for the Trust that positively impact the watershed and engage diverse communities at local and state levels.

A Pennsylvania native, Abbi holds a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture from Penn State University and is pursuing a graduate degree in Natural Resources and Sustainability from Virginia Tech. Her career has focused on restorative landscape practices including conservation landscape planning, bioretention design, and green roof design and maintenance. She enjoys exploring the parks and trails of Annapolis with her dog, volunteering for local community organizations, and traveling to new places.

Tara Baker joined the Trust in 2011 and leads the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program and K-12 Environmental Education programs and initiatives that focus on building capacity for the advancement of environmental literacy in schools and improving the green career pathway for youth in Maryland and the region. Tara works with teachers, school systems and organizations to implement projects and programs that infuse K-12 environmental education into school curriculum, promote outdoor and experiential learning and support career and leadership development in youth.

Tara graduated from Ursinus College with a B.A. in Political and Environmental Science, M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a certified Maryland Master Gardener. She also is a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program for the Chesapeake Region. Tara is a practicing yogini who enjoys gardening, music and, just recently, birding. Currently she loves living in Baltimore City with her two cats where she enjoys biking around the city one day and hiking in the mountains the next.

Jeffrey Popp joined the Trust in March 2016 and leads the Green Streets Green Jobs Green Towns, Anne Arundel County Forestry and Mini Greening, and Montgomery County Stormwater grant programs. Before coming to the Trust, Jeff was the Manager of Conservation Projects with the Wildlife Habitat Council where he coordinated, designed, and managed on-the-ground corporate habitat restoration projects in both rural and urban settings. Working with landowners and other community partners, Jeff helped navigate and overcome the challenges of creating successful restoration projects that benefits wildlife, water quality, and surrounding communities.

Jeff has over 15 years of experience in habitat design and community outreach, and specializes in native plants, reptiles and amphibians, and habitat restoration. Jeff has worked for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and as Co-Director for the Terrapin Institute. He has served on Governor appointed task forces relating to reptile, amphibian, pollininators and fisheries conservation and remains active in natural resource and conservation education issues on national and local levels. Jeff hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Towson University. In his free time, Jeff enjoys herping, fishing, and spending time in the outdoors.

Emily Stransky joined the Trust in January 2015 and now leads the Trust’s Watershed Assistance, Mini K-12 Environmental Education, and Charles County Forestry grant programs.

Emily graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy, concentrating in Wildlife Ecology and Management. After graduating, she entered the Environmental Education field, participating in the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program where she was stationed at Eden Mill Nature Center in Harford County. Prior to starting at the Trust, she worked at Irvine Nature Center, coordinating corporate and school service projects and leading field trips and camp-outs. Emily lives in Severn, MD and spends her spare time entertaining her two kittens, Noodle and Nico, hiking, reading, and photographing wildlife.

Hannah Martin joined the Trust in October 2015 as a Program Coordinator for the Prince George’s Rain Check Rebate Program and Charles County Forestry Grant Program.

Hannah graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science. Prior to starting at the Trust, she worked for several programs at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and as an Environmental Management Fellow at the Chesapeake Bay Program focusing on habitat restoration, enhancement and protection throughout the watershed. Hannah grew up on Kent Island and currently lives in Annapolis. In her spare time she enjoys reading, trying new recipes, and taking her dog to Terrapin Park to go swimming.

Bre’Anna Brooks joined the Trust in April 2016 as the Program Associate, where she supports Grant Program staff throughout the entire grant life cycle. Bre’Anna also assists with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program and the Mini Grant Programs.

Bre’Anna graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder and earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Throughout her educational career, Bre’Anna completed environmental internships where she managed and created databases, editorial reviews and final statement documents. Upon completion at the university Bre’Anna provided environmental education to a diverse background and age range of children at the Denver Zoo. Prior to joining the Chesapeake Bay Trust, she served in a youth AmeriCorps program that entailed land conservation efforts such as habitat restoration, fire mitigation and invasive species removal. Bre’Anna is driven to the local area due to an interest in making an impact on the Chesapeake Bay watershed as well as other environmental attributes and is excited to be a part of what the Trust does.

Zack Kelleher joined the Trust in January 2016 as a grant intern and as an Administrative Assistant in November 2016, where he supports grant program staff throughout the grant cycle. Some of the other major projects he focuses on are the behavior change campaign database and social marketing initiatives.

Zack graduated from UMD-College Park in May 2016 with a degree in Psychology and Sustainability. A native Marylander, his conservation ethic and love of the Bay comes from the time he spent growing up on the Eastern Shore outside of Tilghman Island. Here he learned to understand and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the people and the immense beauty of the Bay region. He is excited to help the Trust engage new audiences and work with people to adopt positive behaviors that will improve the health of the watershed. When not outdoors, Zack is an avid musician and can be found writing, recording and performing music throughout the watershed.

Kelly joined the Trust in April 2016. Kelly brings 30 years of leadership and management experience in development, fundraising, marketing, and communications to the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Previously, Kelly was the Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations for St. Mary’s Parish and School in Annapolis, where she planned, developed, and implemented a major gift and planned giving program, grew the annual fund program, and reinvigorated the St. Mary’s High School Alumni Association.

Kelly has an extensive background in conservation and environmental fundraising having worked for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for 23 years and served as a consultant for a number of regional organizations. She received her certificate in fundraising management from Goucher College. Kelly is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Association of Prospect Researchers for Advancement. A Maryland native, Kelly is excited to be part of the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s mission to educate, restore, and engage citizen stewards for a clean, healthy Chesapeake Bay.

Erin joined the Trust in July 2017 as the Development & Communications Coordinator. A publishing and communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience helping nonprofits further their missions through well-crafted messaging, Erin is responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Trust’s Bay Plate and Plate Perks programs and ensuring wide-spread awareness of the Trust’s Grant Programs and other initiatives.

Prior to joining the Trust, Erin was a developmental editor for the Water Environment Federation in Alexandria, Virginia, which fostered her passion for water and environmental issues. She spent 10 years as a managing editor for the American Institute of CPAs, and prior to that began her career at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, in Atlanta, Georgia.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. Originally from beautiful Mountain Maryland, Erin has lived in several of the largest cities on the East Coast, but ultimately decided to make the Annapolis area home because of her great love for the Chesapeake Bay. She spends her free time having fun with her husband and two children.