Remembering One of Our Founding Members

In December, we lost a dear friend to the Genesee Valley with the passing of Martha D. Wadsworth.

Martha was one of eight who convened in 1990 to incorporate Genesee Valley Conservancy as a non-profit. She was a founding board member and served for 18 years, including five as board treasurer.

During her time on the board, she helped the organization grow from an idea into an established non-profit with two full-time staff and over 8,000 acres conserved.

I was fortunate to have been that second full-time staff person, where I was able to spend a handful of meetings getting to know her before she stepped back from her role on the board.

She holds the distinction of being the first conservation easement donor to the Conservancy. She passed just 14 days shy of the 29th anniversary of that gift, which protected 135 acres in Avon, Livingston County.

Knowing her love and dedication to this organization, it is perhaps fitting that she passed on the same day the board held its regular quarterly meeting. At this meeting an updated strategic plan was adopted to guide the organization through 2025, a land acquisition to expand a nature preserve was approved, and five conservation easements that will protect 1,760 additional acres of land were approved.

What a legacy Martha has left with us.