James Delaune named director of Orange County Land Trust

Middletown - Orange County Land Trust has named James Delaune, who oversaw several projects in the redvelopment of Newburgh’s waterfront, as its new executive director. “James has a solid background in the area of government and nonprofit organizations, as well as an excellent knowledge of the region,” Land Trust Board President Douglas McBride said in making the announcement. “James is connected to the Hudson Valley and is an exceptional individual. He is committed to protecting critically important lands in Orange County.” At the land trust, Delaune will work with private landowners conveying conservation agreements, as well as with town boards and volunteers on land-conservation projects. “I am thrilled to return to Orange County,” Delaune said, “and I look forward to meeting the many landowners and volunteers who are interested in conservation options for their land. It is evident that under the leadership of Dr. McBride and the dedication and hard work of the Orange County Land Trust board, there have been many exciting conservation projects accomplished, and I look forward to many more.” Delaune was formerly the executive director of the City of Newburgh’s Office of Economic Development, Community Development and the Industrial Development Agency. In his 20 years with the city, he was responsible for such projects as the redevelopment of the Newburgh waterfront, establishing the Karpeles Museum and $50 million in redevelopment financing. After leaving Newburgh, he worked as a consultant in the area of Community Development and finance throughout the Northeast. He assisted in setting up the Tappan Local Development Corporation in Rockland County, assisting a variety of businesses in structuring development financing. Delaune is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley and lives in New Paltz. The Orange County Land Trust is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to actively promote and effect protection and stewardship of open lands in Orange County. It provides education and support to landowners and municipalities on conservation options and conservation land transactions. It also connects citizens and visitors to the land through public preserves, field trips and programs that focus on the importance of preserving resources and natural landscapes. Recent projects completed by the organization with support from Orange County’s Open Space Fund and the Town of Greenville, include the protection of a 114-acre working sheep farm in the Town of Greenville. The trust has accepted a conservation agreements on the land that will ensure it will be preserved forever. Conservation of several properties in Warwick, Wallkill, Montgomery, and Cornwall are “very much on the front burner,” according to McBride.