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photo credit: Dylan Medici
2023 Plenary
N W
N J
Northwest New Jersey
Rivers Conference

Corey Tierney
Director
Warren County Department of Land Preservation
As Director of the Warren County Land Preservation Department, Corey Tierney strives to protect the county’s natural and cultural resources while simultaneously promoting economic growth and development throughout the county. On behalf of the County Commissioners, he oversees the county’s open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs. In this capacity, he serves as administrator to the Warren County Agriculture Development Board, the Warren County Board of Recreation Commissioners, the Warren County Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund Committee, the Warren County Bicentennial Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board, the Warren County Morris Canal Committee, and advisor to the Warren County Economic Development Committee and Warren Heritage Scenic Byway Committee.
Prior to his time with Warren County, Corey enjoyed serving as General Counsel to the Land Conservancy of New Jersey and worked with the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Law Center during law school. He also previously taught courses in business, law, and government at Warren County Community College and served on the Land Use Board in Hackettstown where he resides with his family. Born and raised in northwest New Jersey, Corey enjoys hiking, biking, paddling, and traveling.

Martha Sapp
Director
NJDEP Green Acres program
Martha Sullivan Sapp has been with the Department of Environmental Protection's Green
Acres Program for 36 years, serving as Director since 2012. Starting as a project
manager handling land acquisition and park development projects, Martha also served as
Communications Lead, Policy Coordinator, Rule Manager, Team Leader of the Urban
Acquisition and Statewide Park Development Team, and Bureau Chief before becoming
Director.

Ben Spinelli (Facilitator)
Executive Director
New Jersey Highlands Council
Ben Spinelli is a dynamic and innovative leader with expertise in environmental policy, land use practices, land preservation, and strategic planning. His career spans both the private and public sectors including 20 years as a trial attorney, three-terms as the elected Mayor of Chester Township, Morris County, and several senior-level roles in government at the local, state, and federal levels.
In 2015, Spinelli co-founded a consulting partnership to provide regulatory and policy guidance to businesses, landowners, and government entities in New Jersey. The business later merged with another firm to provide services to a larger range of clients including multi-national corporations and energy partnerships.
He is an active volunteer and has served on several community boards and nonprofits, including serving as a coach for local youth football and lacrosse teams. As a self-proclaimed “Jersey guy,” through a combination of Spinelli’s work and his avocations, he has managed to visit each of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities.

Renata Barnes
Director of Programming and Community Engagement
Outdoor Equity Alliance
After nearly two decades living and working in New York City, Renata is proud to return to Hopewell Valley where she was raised as the Director of Programming and Community Engagement at the Outdoor Equity Alliance, where she has been developing programs to create educational, recreational and career opportunities for everyone.
Renata is passionate about racial, equity, equality and justice issues, and she focuses on connecting emerging community members with opportunities to become stewards of outdoor spaces. She has overseen the creation of the Avian Internship program ad Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, and recruits and leads the AgriHood Internship Program. She has also led OEA efforts to partner with the 16th Legislative District, Mercer County Park Commission and the Trenton African American Cultural Collaboration to bring the first Juneteenth weekend festival to Trenton.
Renata is also a founding member of Hopewell Valley Race and Diversity - now called Hopewell Valley Together – which she led for seven years.
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