Tammara Van Ryn, Executive Director

Tammara Van Ryn is the founding executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commisssion. Van Ryn brings a deep knowledge of land conservation and Land Trust Standards and Practices to the position and extraordinary skills in managing complex projects, honed through 20 years in the field. Prior to joining the Commission, she was the director of Standards and Research for the Land Trust Alliance and previously served as the policy director of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests as well as working as a forester.

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Phone: 518-587-3143, ext. 210 

Jennifer Brady-Connor, Review Specialist

Jennifer Brady-Connor joined the Commission in March 2008. Previously she worked for the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Research program, assisting in the research and program design that led to the development of the current land trust accreditation program. As program coordinator for the Alliance’s Northeast Program, Jennifer provided technical assistance to land trusts across New York while promoting and administering the NYS Conservation Partnership Program. While working for the Saratoga Land Conservancy (now Saratoga P.L.A.N.) for many years, Jennifer was involved in all aspects of land trust management with a focus on developing promotional materials, workshops and events to support wetland and land conservation in Saratoga County, NY. She has served as board chair of the New York State Wetlands Forum and has held many other volunteer leadership positions within the land conservation community.

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Phone: 518-587-3143, ext. 213

Laura DiBetta, Program Manager

Laura DiBetta has been with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission since its inception in 2006. In addition to reviewing applications for accreditation and assisting with program coordination, Laura also manages the Commission’s communications, including its website, eNewsletter and publications. Laura previously worked as the communications associate for Environmental Advocates, New York’s leading environmental advocacy organization, supporting its communications program, organizing lobby days and otherwise advocating support for sound environmental policy.

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Phone: 518-587-3143, ext. 208

Melissa Kalvestrand, Review Specialist

Melissa Kalvestrand joined the Commission in November 2009. As review specialist, Melissa serves as a staff member on applicant review teams, reading all of the material provided by applicant land trusts. Melissa brings with her experience in land conservation issues having worked as a conservation scientist for The Nature Conservancy in Albany, NY, and as an environmental scientist for The Chazen Companies in Glens Falls, NY. Melissa will earn a master’s degree in Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy from the University of Albany this December.

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Phone: 518-587-3143, ext. 214