I announced two months ago that I would be stepping down as Executive Director of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance in June. Today is my last day.

I’ve had the privilege of helping co-found ABRA in 2014 and serving as its first Chair until assuming the role as staff head. It has been an exhilarating nearly-eight years, during which I have met and worked with hundreds of wonderful people. Those relationships have been the greatest reward to me personally.

The ABRA Board of Directors has not yet made a decision on new staff leadership. For the time being, any general communications or questions to ABRA should be directed to Allen Johnson, Chair of the ABRA Board of Directors, at . Communications about ABRA’s Conservation Hub program should be directed to Rick Webb at .

I hope to be able to stay in touch with many of you in the future. My contact information remains and 540-468-2769.

All the best to everyone.

An Adieu from Lew Freeman

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.