Panel Discussion: Local Conservation Issues

Panelists whose work focuses on the environment and sustainability discuss pressing local conservation issues and how others can help. Presented by the Garden Club of Princeton.

Panelists include: 

Liz Cutler is a whole school sustainability consultant for PK12 schools. The program she created at Princeton Day School is the recipient of numerous environmental awards. In building the program, she collaborated with anyone interested including faculty, staff, student and parents. She founded OASIS Organizing Action on Sustainability In Schools, which works to improve sustainability in all NJ schools. She has been on the Boards of Friends of Princeton Open Space, Sustainable Princeton and Green Schools Alliance. 

Of special note, she is the recipient of the National Garden Club of America Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award which recognizes those local champions who impart to children a love and concern for the natural environment. Liz is an environmental artist collecting botanical items that she makes into unique pieces of art.

Sophie Glovier  is the Chief of Operations at The Watershed Institute where she is responsible for strategic planning and works with staff to develop and deliver programming that fulfills the organization’s mission.  Sophie previously worked in the Policy Department, partnering with elected officials and community members to develop and implement strong environmental protections at the local level. Prior to joining The Watershed Institute, Sophie was Director of Philanthropic Support at D&R Greenway Land Trust, where she led the fundraising campaign to preserve the 340-acre St. Michaels Preserve in Hopewell. Sophie is a former Chair of the Princeton Environmental Commission, a team member of C-Change Conversations and the author of Walk the Trails in and Around Princeton. Sophie is the recipient of D&R Greenway's Donald B. Jones Award, a Sustainable Princeton Leadership Award and the GCA's Marion Thompson Fuller Brown Conservation Award and Zone IV Civic Improvement Award.

Sophie is a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Business School and received a Post Master’s Certificate in Sustainability Strategy from the New School.

Katharine Hackett is the executive director of High Meadows Environmental Institute, (HMEI) - the interdisciplinary center of environmental research and teaching at Princeton University. HMEI's work comprises research focused on global environmental issues including climate change, water, biodiversity, conservation, infectious disease, environmental policy, and justice and includes educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students. During her tenure, Kathy has provided leadership in the development of major cross-disciplinary activities with research and teaching dimensions including Princeton's Grand Challenges program focused on Climate and Energy, Water and the Environment, Biodiversity, and Urban Sustainability. She leads strategic collaborations with other academic units and advances partnerships with peer institutions and community partners. Since 2006, Kathy has served on Princeton's Sustainability Committee and contributed to the drafting of the University's Sustainability Plan.

Pam Mount and her husband Gary bought the 55-acre Terhune Orchard in 1975 and grew it into the present 250-acre operation, which emphasizes soil conservation, organic produce, and sustainable farming methods. Pam served 12 years on the Lawrence Township Council, including three terms as mayor. She is a founder of Sustainable Lawrence and of C-Change, an organization that promotes knowledge of and action on climate change in a non-partisan way. Pam was named as Citizen of the Year by the New Jersey League of Municipalities for her work on Sustainable Jersey. Pam and her husband served in the Peace Corps from 1966-1970. During that time they lived on a completely self sufficient island inhabited by 400 people. Over the years she has used her Peace Corps experience to manage her farm and build a sustainable farm business.

Presented in partnership with The Garden Club of Princeton.

Founded in 1911, The Garden Club of Princeton is a charter member of The Garden Club of America, which was established two years later. The GCP's mission is to promote the knowledge and love of gardening; to support the activities initiated by The Garden Club of America; and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of our environment and the Princeton community. The Garden Club of Princeton is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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