Karena DiLeo

Stewardship Coordinator

In her own words, Karena describes why French & Pickering is a natural fit:

“Our forests are so degraded by introduced species and over-browsed by deer that they are no longer functioning habitats for many of our native species. The more we can engage landowners to make even small changes on their properties — such as a corner of lawn into a meadow — the more significant an impact on our overall environment. All of these tiny patches of habitat help species move through our landscape. This increasing connectivity is critical if species are going to find the resources they need to survive in our highly fragmented world.”

Since joining French & Pickering in February 2021 as Stewardship Coordinator, Karena has been monitoring conservation easements and working with landowners to create healthy, functioning ecosystems that benefit our native species. She also serves on Chester County’s Environmental and Energy Advisory Board.

When not improving the environmental health of French & Pickering’s conservation easements, Karena enjoys cultivating her own family ecosystem by gardening and hiking with her two little boys. 

Interesting Fact: Karena worked mostly with reptiles and amphibians as an endangered species biologist for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection before joining French & Pickering.