web1_gavel.jpeg

Family of infant who died in Geisinger Danville files suit against company

web1_123788529-54b8fd2c44d14c7d9e4cce89fa0ddc46.jpg

Pence announces Turkey has agreed to cease-fire in Syria

Mike Dziak is retiring as president/CEO of Earth Conservancy after 25 years and will be replaced by Terence J. Ostrowski, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

The nonprofit was created in 1994 to acquire 16,000 acres of former Blue Coal Land, much of it mine-scarred, and put the property back into productive use.

“It’s been a good run,” said Dziak, 78, of Harveys Lake. “It’s always hard to leave something that you’ve worked at for 25 years, but it’s time to move on.”

About 6,000 acres remains, and Dziak estimated it will take another 10 to 15 years to address the rest.

Of the 10,000 acres already processed, 8,000 acres will remain green space or undeveloped forever, Dziak said.

The remaining 2,000 acres now houses residences and businesses, including the Chewy.com, Adidas and Patagonia Inc. structures visible from Interstate 81 at a Hanover Township site once containing an unsightly giant pit and other black remains from past coal mining.

In a release, Earth Conservancy Board of Directors Chairman John McCarthy Jr. said Dziak has been a “tireless leader” and a “passionate advocate” for preserving open space, protecting critical water resources and reclaiming and repurposing mine-scarred land in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“This dedication has made a profound impact on our region, and he’s made an indelible mark on those he has worked with,” McCarthy said.

Ostrowski, a professional engineer, will take over as head of the nonprofit when Dziak’s retirement takes effect Jan. 31, the release said. Ostrowski has worked at Borton-Lawson in Wilkes-Barre since 1998 and has provided engineering and planning expertise on several Earth Conservancy projects.

“His deep knowledge of the region and his engineering talents will prove invaluable as Earth Conservancy moves forward with its mission in the years to come,” the release said of Ostrowski.

Dziak said he will share his extensive institutional knowledge of coal land history during the transition and after retirement, if needed. He plans to pursue other interests and spend more time with family, including four grandchildren.

Earth Conservancy has spent nearly $50 million reclaiming more than 2,000 acres, largely aided by government grants and land sales, Dziak said last year.

Much of Earth Conservancy’s focus is now on a 2,200-acre swath known as the Bliss/Truesdale site located primarily in Hanover and Newport townships. This project will create a mix of residential, industrial and public open space after it is cleaned up, Dziak has said. Between 400 and 500 acres must be reclaimed, he said.

Dziak said Thursday a developer has expressed interest in 130 acres of the first 200-acre section that Earth Conservancy is working to reclaim.

<style>
.neFileBlock {<br />
	margin-bottom: 20px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock p {<br />
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock .neFile {<br />
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;<br />
	padding-bottom: 5px;<br />
	padding-top: 10px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock .neCaption {<br />
	font-size: 85%;<br />
}<br />
</style>
<div class="neFileBlock">
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Earth-Conservancy-Projects-2.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Dziak</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Earth-Conservancy-Projects-2.jpgDziak</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">

&nbsp;

By Jennifer Learn-Andes

jandes@www.timesleader.com

&nbsp;

</div>
<div class="metaInfo">

&nbsp;

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.

&nbsp;

</div>

Mike Dziak retiring as Earth Conservancy head