We are hiring! Check it out: Vice President of Ecological Operations

The Steward Green team keeps growing!

Diane, President

Diane is the glue that holds Steward Green together, making sure schedules are kept, while overseeing payroll, procurement, and contracts, and events with a keen awareness for the details. Diane received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Valley Forge; previously working as an educator and principal. Diane also assists with native meadow development, UAS applications, agroecology farm to table design and client needs. Her problem-solving capabilities are highly valued at Steward Green!

Thom, Vice President Research

Thom Almendinger is a seasoned conservation ecologist with an impressive track record in land stewardship, strategic planning, and project management. His expertise encompasses ecosystem/habitat restoration, native/invasive plant species management, wildlife management, scientific data analysis, and building partnerships with stakeholders.

At Duke Farms, where he spent over 20 years, Almendinger achieved significant conservation milestones. As the Director of Natural Resources & Agroecology for the last 12 years, he developed and implemented a comprehensive land stewardship plan, managed conservation initiatives across 2,750 acres, and collaborated with universities on research projects to define best practices. Highlights include spearheading the development of crucial habitat for endangered species by converting 750 acres of hayfields into rotationally grazed grasslands, initiating, strong public-private partnerships which led to the restoration of over 1,000 acres of floodplains, forests, and grasslands and fostering a 20-year deer management program which increased native plant cover from 23% to 72% through that reduced the deer population density.

Almendinger holds a Master of Science in Ecology & Evolution from Rutgers University, a Bachelor of Science in Ecology & Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Forestry from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is a published author, contributing articles to esteemed publications like Ecological Restoration, and has received numerous awards for his environmental stewardship, including the Land Ethics Award and the Environmental Quality Award from the US EPA.

Colin, GIS and Innovation Specialist

Colin provides geo-spatial analysis for Steward Green’s varied UAS projects. He is working towards his UAS pilot certification and is looking forward to providing Steward Green clients with innovative solutions for all their UAS and GIS related needs.

Colin is a published scientific author and holds a master's degree in marine science from Stony Brook University. Prior to joining Steward Green, he conducted coastal restoration and harmful algal bloom remediation projects for Stony Brook University and founded a small-scale restorative aquaculture company on Long Island.

Matthew, GIS Director

Matthew provides geo-spatial analysis and map making expertise for Steward Green’s varied UAS projects. He is instrumental in the project planning and analysis phases and enjoys spending time in the field as well.

Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from Denison University. He worked for two New Jersey land conservation nonprofits before joining Steward Green in 2019. He is delighted to share his passion for the outdoors, land conservation, and natural resource management with clients through his work at Steward Green.

Ellie, Geospatial Analyst

Ellie tackles spatial awareness out in the field, as well as analysis within the office. She has assisted with many restoration and bioretention projects and specializes in providing support for Steward Green’s UAS projects.

Ellie started as an intern with Steward Green in 2018, growing her skills in field research, restoration implementation and ecological studies. Since then, she has discovered a love for the science of GIS. She is currently a student of ecology at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and is also working toward a certificate in geomatics.

Gary, Agroecology Technician

Gary joined Steward Green in the beginning of 2022 and brings with him his decades of skills and knowledge from his previous career in public service where he was the Farm Manager for a living history farm. Today, Gary is the staff member you’d see most often on our tractors or in our forestry mower. He has decades of experience operating and maintaining large farm equipment, both hay and gas powered! His transition from ecologically friendly farming to installing ecological restoration practices was a logical next step in his career.

At home, Gary tends an amazing vegetable garden and practices beekeeping; sometimes assisting clients with the removal (and rehoming) of honeybee swarms!

Cameron, Research Technician

Cameron performs data collection and analysis using UAS to support Steward Green’s land management and conservation projects; ensuring deer density monitoring and farmland preservation efforts are completed with excellence.

Prior to his time at Steward Green, Cameron worked as an Energy Consultant for the data analytics firm Power Advocate, as a Watershed Ambassador for AmeriCorps and the NJDEP, and as a Government Service Fellow for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He received his BSE in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Princeton University and is currently pursuing his Master of Forestry at the Yale School of the Environment.

Sam, Summer Intern

Sam is joining us for the summer of 2022 through his Penn State internship program. He travelled from Erie, PA to spend his last summer as an undergraduate with our team. Sam will be an incoming senior at Penn State, Behrend campus, where he is studying Environmental Science. This summer, Sam will be assisting us with Spotted Lanternfly management, trail creation and maintenance and meadow stewardship activities.

Sam is active camper and paddler. Already this summer he’s kayaked Spruce Run Reservoir, biked the trails at Duke Farms and has his eye on the Raritan River. We’re excited to provide Sam with some of his first professional experience in the field of conservation.

Gene, Coach

Gene hitches Steward Green’s “visionary horse” with the “operational cart” that provides solutions for our clients. He manages client relations, leads our UAS group and has always had a passion to connect others to the land.

Gene has an agricultural upbringing, is an ecological land planner with degrees from Penn State (BS LARCH) and Columbia Business School (Nonprofit Management). He is currently the New Jersey Environmental advisor for Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station Board of Managers. Gene and his team have been honored with NJ Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence twice, as well as awards from EPA and others for his work in ecological project management. Gene had been the Director of Research & Natural Resources for Duke Farms Foundation for over a decade and now is lead consultant for Steward Green. He has taught and completed successful projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. Since 2001, Gene has been perfecting thermal studies that improve land management efforts for conservation professionals.

K.C., Wildlife Biologist

K.C. adds wildlife wisdom and support with Steward Green’s agricultural projects, pollinator meadows, and wildlife habitat regeneration.  He performs data collection during UAS missions, assists with restoration monitoring and reporting, and provides our crew with a calm energy, which is very much appreciated!

K.C. earned his master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and has spent many years perfecting research techniques and application for wildlife, particularly large fauna species.