Mariah Calagione, Chris Patterson, Preston Schell, and Dave Velazquez Join The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Board of Trustees

Expansion of Board and Addition of Two New Board Members from Sussex County Signals Renewal of Mission to Protect Delaware’s Last Great Places

Wilmington, DE—October 19, 2006—The Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy announces the election of the following corporate and civic leaders to its Board of Trustees.

Mariah Calagione -- Ms. Calagione is an owner and Vice President of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton and Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach. She serves on the Board of Directors of Bethel Christian Preschool, Rehoboth Beach Main Street, and Draper Holdings Business Trust—a family business with varied entities including WBOC-TV16, Fox21, Delmarva Online, DCI Voice Solutions, Pintail Management and Loblolly Farms. She is also a Trustee for Christiana Care and founder/past president of the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. Calagione, who grew up in Milford, Del., is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys Delaware’s parks and natural resources. She lives in downtown Lewes with her husband Sam and two young children.

Christopher S. Patterson --Mr. Patterson is a realtor and principal with Patterson Schwartz Real Estate in New Castle County. A life-long Delawarean, an avid gardener and conservationist, Patterson’s interest in conserving Delaware’s natural heritage has grown over the years. As a real estate professional he has participated in several conservation easement agreements and appreciates their value as a conservation tool. He serves on the boards of the Delaware Center for Horticulture, Delaware Nature Society, Brandywine Valley Association and the Christiana Bank & Trust Bank. He is married with two daughters and resides in Rockland, Del.

Preston Schell - Mr. Schell co-founded Ocean Atlantic Associates, a residential and commercial real estate group that fosters responsible real estate development in the coastal Delaware resort area. Committed to conscientious land use and historical preservation, Preston also helped to form the Sussex County Land Trust whose mission is to preserve open space for future generations in Sussex County, Del. He serves as a board member of the Greater Lewes Foundation and lives in Rehoboth Beach with his wife and young child.

David Velazquez -- Mr. Velazquez is President and Chief Operating Officer of Conectiv Energy. Since joining the mid-Atlantic states’ energy company as an engineer in 1981, Velazquez has held a number of engineering and management positions with Delmarva Power, Pepco Holdings and Conectiv. In addition to his professional interest in natural resources Velazquez’ interest in nature goes back to his childhood hiking and camping trips in the Pocono’s -- activities he continues to enjoy with his children. Velazquez lives in Glen Mills, Pa with his wife and three children.

“We are pleased to welcome Mariah, Chris, Preston and Dave to The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Chapter. Corporate and civic leaders bring an important perspective to the mission of the Conservancy and I look forward to working with them.” said Roger L. Jones, Jr., Vice President and State Director for the Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. “Our board’s expansion will mean more vigorous committees and give our Delaware Chapter greater strength and presence in the community—especially in Sussex County where many of our conservation projects are located.”

In welcoming the new trustees, Patricia Schramm, Delaware Board of Trustees Chairman, emphasized that, “Protecting important natural places in Delaware for future generations is our mission. This is a difficult and expensive undertaking, requiring the determination and enthusiasm of leaders in our community. As Trustees, we are an important part of that leadership. Working with others, we will succeed, and our legacy is a better future for our families and all Delawareans.”

In addition to Calagione, Patterson, Schell and Velazquez, Trustees of The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Chapter, include: Patricia Schramm (Chairman); Harold I. Salmons, III (Vice Chair); Richard H. Bayard, Esq.; Robert H. Bolling, III; Roberta S. Brown; John Ciccarone; John V. Flynn, Jr.; Kathleen Forte; Jeffrey Garland; Nathan Hayward, III; D. Wayne Holden; David Irwin; John Mackenzie; F. Michael Parkowski, Esq.; and Brock J. Vinton.