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Todd Sampsell, Deputy Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Chapter, has been selected as a recipient of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 40 Under 40 Awards. Sampsell will be honored at PEC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Civic Club of Harrisburg, September 22.

Nearly 100 environmental professionals and volunteers were nominated for this statewide honor. Nominees included volunteers and professionals in a diverse range of environmental fields including planning, research, education and advocacy.

“I am so proud to help elevate awareness of Pennsylvania’s next generation of environmental leaders,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of PEC.

“We learned that these young leaders stand poised to tackle our state’s most important upcoming challenges including Marcellus Shale development, renewable energy and stormwater, among others,” he said.

Sampsell, who is based out of the chapter’s Harrisburg office, joined The Nature Conservancy in March 2006, after experience with the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. He is an ecologist with broad experience and interest in aquatic and watershed research, invasive species research and management, conservation planning and wildlife biology.

Sampsell is a Williamsport native and holds a bachelor’s in biology from Bloomsburg University and a master’s in biology from California University. He presently directs the Pennsylvania Chapter's conservation programs and operations, a position that calls on his experience in land trust development, strategic planning and land protection work.