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George Gress Over his remarkable 31-plus-year career with TNC, George Gress has embodied the spirit of what it means to be a land steward. © George Gress/TNC
Over his remarkable 31-plus-year career with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Pennsylvania, George Gress has embodied the spirit of what it means to be a land steward. He is a true Renaissance man, blending his love of nature, photography, woodworking and birding into a lifetime spent pursuing his never-ending curiosity for the world around him.
As he prepares to officially retire from TNC, George shares that he is thrilled to have had “what I consider to be my ideal job.” His love of nature began in his early childhood, when he would follow his dad around their property, helping to mow the grass, tend the family garden and work in the woodlot, where the family fed birds during the winter.
George fondly remembers sitting beneath a large white pine tree with his dad, watching birds come to the feeder as the wind whispered through the trees. “It was there that my dad showed me how to feed a chickadee,” he recalls. “I will never forget the awe I felt the first time one of these tiny birds landed on my hand.”
George's journey with TNC began as a volunteer inspired by his brother-in-law, Jim, whose mother sold TNC the property that became the Acopian Preserve. The Acopian Preserve is home to federally endangered bog turtles, and George's fascination with nature photography led him to seek permission from TNC to photograph these rare turtles in the marsh.
His volunteer opportunities quickly expanded from there. Soon, George found himself posting signs at Long Eddy Preserve and Long Pond Preserve; building fire breaks in the Serpentine Barrens; and even utilizing his construction skills to help build sections of the boardwalk trail at Tannersville Cranberry Bog. His handyman skills and knack for conservation work made him invaluable, and he was eventually offered a full-time land stewardship role with TNC.
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Tannersville Cranberry Bog
This geological remnant of a long-ago ice age was one of TNC’s first preserves in Pennsylvania.
© Melisa Soysal/TNC
Long Pond Preserve
Long Pond Preserve features a large pollinator garden and the Hauser Nature Center which welcomes visitors 5 days a week.
© John Hinkson/TNC
As a talented woodworker, George has crafted everything from furniture to his own house, built on a site just a mile from where he grew up. His intricately carved wooden birds, which he has gifted to his colleagues every year for the past 27 years, have even found their way into research projects across North and South America.
Over the years, George has made significant contributions to TNC, particularly in managing Pennsylvania’s Bog Turtle Project since 1997. His population surveys have led to the discovery of some of the oldest known bog turtles in the state, which were first marked by a local biology teacher in 1969. The marked turtles—including two that are at least 62 years old—have been crucial in understanding the longevity of these rare turtles. George’s findings have been published several times in the Herpetological Review.
Pennsylvania’s Bog Turtle Project
Bog Turtle Survey: Over the years, Geroge has led several groups of volunteers, staff and partners through Acopian Preserve for a Bog turtle survey. © The Nature Conservancy
Survey Group: One of the many groups of folks George has led on Bog turtle surveys. © The Nature Conservancy
Bog turtle : Bog turtles are a federally threatened species. However, protected spaces are providing them with much needed critical habitat for their survival. © George Gress/TNC
George helped kickstart TNC’s prescribed burn program in Pennsylvania in the 1990s, participating in his first burn on his 35th birthday in October 1993. Since then, he has participated in approximately 227 burns, serving as Burn Boss for about 60 of them across six states, covering over 5,000 acres. Today, TNC’s prescribed burn program has expanded significantly across Pennsylvania.
The Start of Prescribed Burns
George helped kickstart TNC’s prescribed burn program in Pennsylvania in the 1990s.
© Courtesy George Gress
Fire Today
Today, TNC works with several partners across Pennsylvania to implement dozens of controlled burns a year.
© Stephen Ruswick/TNC
George's photography, which captures the beauty of the natural world, is frequently featured in TNC channels as well as in calendars, websites, magazines and more. When asked if he has a favorite photo, George chuckles. “That’s a tough one because over the years, between my slide film, black-and-white negatives, color negatives and digital images, I probably have about 50,000 images,” he says. “So, it's hard to pick a favorite.”
After some thought, he ultimately decided that some of his favorite photos were the ones from the West Branch Preserve that were selected to be included in TNC’s annual calendar.
Star Gazing: The West Branch Forest Preserve is located in one of the darkest sky areas in Pennsylvania, making it an excellent place to witness the wonders of the constellations. © George Gress/TNC
Moose Portrait : Moose are the tallest and the second-largest, land animal in North America. © George Gress
Cape May warbler : The Cape May warbler is a species of New World warbler and breeds in northern North America. © George Gress
Kittatinny Ridge: A view from Hawk Rock overlook, a popular spot for hikers in central Pennsylvania. © George Gress/TNC
Timber Rattlesnake: Timber rattlesnakes can be spotted at the West Branch Forest Preserve. © Geroge Gress/TNC
Bog turtle hatchling : The bog turtle is the smallest turtle species in North America. © George Gress/TNC
Cascading Waters: Pennsylvania is home to more than 180 waterfalls. © George Gress
Ruffed Grouse: Pennsylvania's state bird spotted at TNC's West Branch Preserve. © George Gress/TNC
Arrow Island, Delaware River : Arrow Island, on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. © George C Gress
Misty Winter: Swans enjoying a tranquel time on the water. © George Gress/TNC
Over his tenure, George has witnessed significant changes in the field of conservation, particularly in the growth of TNC and advancements in technology. “In 1993, there was no email, smartphones or GPS,” he says. “To collect data, we needed to lay pipes every 50 meters to create a grid and use a compass.” Today, technology has streamlined data collection and communication, allowing conservation staff to collect greater quantities of data more efficiently.
He advises his younger self and others who are pursuing careers in nature today to “keep going and not get discouraged” despite challenges. He believes in the importance of finding joy and inspiration in nature.
Quote: George Gress
There are times when things seem pretty dull and dreary, and then you spend time in nature, and it helps lift your spirits.
George adds that he stays inspired by spending time outdoors, whether in his garden, working with his portable sawmill or out creating photos.
As George looks ahead to retirement, he is looking forward to his next chapter with a mix of nostalgia and excitement. While he’ll miss the beautiful places and the wonderful people he’s worked with, he’s thrilled about the future. He plans to continue volunteering with TNC even while spending more time with his family and maybe even building a cedar strip canoe.
Thank you, George, for your lifetime of service with TNC and for sharing your unmatched dedication and passion on behalf of nature!
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