Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation in Pennsylvania
Honoring Nature, Progress, and the People Who Made It Possible.
Not Just Tree Huggers: A Tale of Two Trustees
Explore the unique journeys of two TNC trustees whose paths reflect the passion and diversity behind conservation leadership.
October 07, 2025
“What distinguishes me from Rich is that he doesn’t mind meeting with politicians,” laughs Beth Hucker.
Beth and Rich Aneser have both been named Trustees Emeritus by the Pennsylvania/Delaware Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy. They have had very different journeys to this moment and represent the range of talents and passions that volunteer leaders bring to TNC.
“I live 550 feet from where I was born and raised,” says Beth. Growing up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Beth's grandmother was a horticulturist who competed at the Philadelphia Flower Show, and her father was an ornithology hobbyist who banded birds.
“The Nature Conservancy is in my blood,” says Beth, who has been on the Pennsylvania/Delaware board for 12 years. “My dad was on the TNC Board in Pennsylvania in the late 1970s, and he always came back from the meetings excited to tell us what he had learned,” Beth recalls. TNC was really only about land conservation in those days. “They were finding properties that were threatened and protecting them.”
Beth first encountered TNC’s work on the ground when she was 15 years old. Her aunt took her to a ranch outside of Missoula, Montana that was threatened by logging. TNC worked closely with the owners of the ranch and their friends, neighbors and clients to raise $10 million to protect 80,000 acres of river watershed, one of the largest TNC projects ever at the time. “I watched people who were in love with this place go to extraordinary lengths to protect it,” says Beth. “I saw the power of TNC inspiring local ambassadors to engage the community.”
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A Life with Corgis
Beth with Badger and Elsa, a brother-sister pair of Welsh Pembroke Corgis who were part of her family for many years. She later welcomed another sibling duo and now enjoys the company of Arya, a spirited 4-year-old rescue.
© Courtesy of Beth Hucker
Old Friends
Beth developed a remarkable bond with this wild fox, who became comfortable enough to visit regularly, sometimes even bringing her kits along. Though the fox seemed eager to come inside, the resident Corgis likely wouldn’t have approved!
© Courtesy of Beth Hucker
Rich Aneser has had a different path. “I’m a Long Island kid,” says Rich. “I didn’t grow up seeing the beauty of nature.” Rich's career started in New York then New Jersey, and finally, Pennsylvania, where he has been a TNC board member for nine years.
Creating a Legacy
Rich and TNC CEO Jen Morris spent a day in the field exploring the critical conservation taking place at The Long Pond Barrens Preserve in Pennsylvania.
© Melisa Soysal/TNC
A New Passion
What initially inspired Rich to support conservation was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa where he saw Rhinos for the first time.
© David Clode
Creating a Legacy
Rich and TNC CEO Jen Morris spent a day in the field exploring the critical conservation taking place at The Long Pond Barrens Preserve in Pennsylvania.
© Melisa Soysal/TNC
A New Passion
What initially inspired Rich to support conservation was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa where he saw Rhinos for the first time.
© David Clode
What initially inspired Rich to support conservation was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa—visiting the Kalahari Desert, Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls and seeing rhinos, lions and herds of lions. “It lit a fire within me,” Rich recalls, “and it changed my global perspective."
Rich remembers that he joined TNC's Board of Trustees in Pennsylvania after it was the first to identify combating climate change as a strategic priority. What he has enjoyed most has been learning from the scientists and conservationists on this Board and then bringing his skillset in strategic finance and capital markets to help TNC plan for its next era of conservation.
“This is what I do during the day,” says Rich. “I’m leveraging what I’m good at. That’s what we are all doing on the Board—leveraging our skills to advance the organization.” Rich soon upped his commitment by becoming vice chair and then, ultimately, chair of the Board.
Quote: Rich Aneser
What excites me is watching the local work scale up to achieve national and global goals. Nature doesn’t have state or country borders.
Trustees Emeritus, TNC PA/DE
Both Beth and Rich are keen to point out what they feel separates TNC from other environmental organizations. “We aren’t just tree huggers,” Beth whispers. “We are science-based. We have gravitas.” Rich further cites TNC’s non-confrontational philosophy. “Its ‘down the middle’ approach is pragmatic. It’s how we win over more hearts and minds.”
Both feel that this local success can ultimately inform and inspire larger projects around the world. “I’m happy to be part of a local arm of TNC,” says Rich, “but what excites me is watching the local work scale up to achieve national and global goals. Nature doesn’t have state or country borders.”
Beth saw this opportunity for greater impact directly during a Board trip to Philadelphia to visit a stormwater project that was providing green space, reducing the heat of the neighborhood and cleaning the water. “This was one of many TNC projects that is transferable to any metropolis,” remembers Beth.
While Beth and Rich both look back fondly at their past with TNC, they look hopefully toward the future. “Do I think my granddaughter’s children are going to have a healthy place to live?” asks Beth. “I hope so,” she answers. “I think there are still enough good people, smart people, willing to put up a good fight.”
Rich agrees. “Whenever I feel the negativity and the weight of what is in front of us, I meditate, and I come back to gratitude. I see the staff and my fellow trustees who are so committed to a future where people and nature can thrive.”
“There is a lot of craziness in the world, and there are definitely some strong headwinds,” says Rich. “But, when the wind gets stronger, do you walk backwards? No, you walk harder into the wind."
Our Work in Pennsylvania
Explore The Nature Conservancy's work in Pennsylvania, made possible thanks to dedicated trustees, supporters, and volunteers.
