HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has named Joe Hallinan as the new manager of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, and Erin Via as the partnership’s tree logistics specialist. Brenda Sieglitz, the previous partnership manager, is the new Director of Major Giving for CBF in Pennsylvania.
Hallinan recently joined CBF and succeeds Sieglitz, who for four years led the collaborative tree-planting partnership coordinated by CBF. Its goal is to plant 10 million trees for Pennsylvania by the end of 2025. In October, the partnership reached its mid-point milestone, planting its 5 millionth tree.
Working and living in Gettysburg, Hallinan helped create the Adams County Planting Partnership through the collaboration of individuals, schools and organizations. Previously, he was programs coordinator at the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve in Fairfield, Pa.
Hallinan grew up in Southcentral Pennsylvania spending most of his summer days in Tom’s Creek in Adams County, which flows into the Monocacy and Potomac rivers and then the Chesapeake Bay. For the past five years, he was the watershed specialist at the Adams County Conservation District where he focused on watershed related projects and community outreach.
“Trees are a common denominator to all things. They filter nutrients, sequester carbon, provide habitats, and make oxygen,” Hallinan said. “What we often don’t think about is the positive effects that trees have on a community, economy, and the physical and mental health of our residents. Students learn better, patients heal faster, and our minds are less anxious when we have access to outdoor green space.”
“Joe’s background as a watershed specialist at Adams County and passion for the outdoors will make for a valuable addition to our team,” said Trisha Salvia, CBF’s interim director in Pennsylvania. “He has a proven reputation for connecting communities and partners with trees and we cannot wait to start the spring planting season with Joe as our lead.”
Since it launched in 2018, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership has grown to over 260 partners. The partnership plans to directly fund and plant at least 518,000 more trees for Pennsylvania in 2023.
Sieglitz lives in Columbia, Lancaster County and sits on the NASA Globe Observer Lifelong Learners steering committee and US 1 Trillion Trees Reforestation working group. For over a decade, Sieglitz worked in the private sector where she has focused on project management, business development initiatives, sales, and marketing. She has held leadership and mentor roles with the Susquehanna Valley and Lancaster County Chambers of Commerce. She is also a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist.
“This doesn’t put me far from the partnership,” Sieglitz said of her new position as Director of Major Giving. “I am connecting with existing funders of our work and will be meeting with new companies, foundations, and people who may have an interest in supporting our Keystone Trees and Pennsylvania staff work. I look forward to securing more funds and members who are supportive and excited about our work.”
“Brenda is a woman of so many talents. She has grown the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership from a seedling to a mighty oak through building relationships, partners and expanding the Pennsylvania nursery businesses and economy,” Salvia said. “We are excited to see Brenda take her skills, compassion and leadership to a new role as the Director of Major Giving.”
Via is a Lancaster native who studied at Kutztown University and remotely with Southern New Hampshire University, focusing on Natural Resources and Conservation. As tree logistics specialist, she works directly with partners, landowners and nurseries to formulate a plan to distribute trees each season. She also ensures that warehouse locations are operating smoothly during supply distribution times and assists in the field during tree plantings.
“I look forward to leading conversations with partners and landowners, getting to know them and learning more about how they will be utilizing the trees we provide, as well as getting outside in the sunshine and planting trees as often as possible,” Via said.
“Erin came to K10 last fall from a healthcare background and has been an important part of our tree distribution program for Spring 2023 – our largest to date,” Sieglitz said of Via. “She will work with Joe and our seasonal staff in 2023 to make sure over 500,000 trees are distributed and planted amongst over 260 partners.”
–BJ Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
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