Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s Dedicated Staff
Our Full Time Staff
Ryan Beltz
Executive Director
Ryan began his tenure with the Conservancy in 2016. His goal then, as it remains today, is to provide opportunities for local residents to create meaningful connections with the green spaces around them. Whether in the form of conservation, education or recreation, the hope is that these opportunities inspire the communities of the watershed to invest both in the preservation and restoration of the Perkiomen Creek and its tributaries.
Prior to his tenure with the Conservancy, Ryan worked as a land manager at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, as an instructor of English at Alvernia University, as a ranger with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska and as a canoe guide on the Inside Passage. He holds two degrees in English.
Ryan now lives in Lederach with his wife, Lisa, and two coon hounds. When he’s not at the Conservancy, he can be found searching the woods and waterways by boat, boot and bike for native flora and fauna… and for comfortable spots to read.
Jessie Kemper
Director of Conservation
Jessie joined the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy in 2015. As the Director of Conservation, she is responsible for managing the Stream Clean-up, the Perkiomen Plant-A-Thon, the European Water Chestnut Removal Project and the Municipal Stormwater Program along with other conservation programs and events.
Jessie grew up in Royersford, PA and earned her degree in Environmental Studies from Ursinus College. Prior to her position with the Conservancy, she worked as a Marine Mammal Interpreter with the National Park Service in Cape Cod, an Environmental Intern at Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plant in NJ, and as a Farm Assistant at Rushton Farm in PA.
She now lives in Collegeville with her husband, Joe, their two rescue pups and four silkie chickens. In her free time, Jessie likes spending time with her family, reading a good book and enjoying the outdoors.
Beth Myers
Director of Ecology
Beth is the Director of Ecology at the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. She joined the Conservancy's Conservation Department full-time in 2017. At the Conservancy she manages the Native Plant Project & Sale, Dragonfly Farm, Perkiomen Watershed Conservation Corps, the Volunteer Training Sessions, and assists with Conservancy conservation projects and events. Beth also helps organize the Conservancy’s annual Benefit and Silent Auction.
Beth grew up just outside of the Perkiomen Creek Watershed in Royersford, PA. She currently lives within the Watershed in Green Lane, PA with her partner, Adam, and their pets. She attended Ursinus College and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Environmental Studies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, working with native plants, learning about butterflies, and spending time with her dog.
Jeff Cocci
Environmental Education Coordinator
Jeff began as an intern in the spring of 2023 and joined our team shortly after graduating from Ursinus College with a degree in Environmental Studies, Minor in Biology, and focus in Marine Science. After being heavily involved with Ursinus’s “Food Forest”, Jeff came to us with a passion for PawPaws, native wildlife, and conservation! Prior to his time at the Conservancy, Jeff served in the Education Department at the Elmwood Park Zoo.
Our resident animal expert, Jeff lives in Pottstown, where he enjoys spending time with his pet geckos and paddle boarding.
Lori Horning
Bookkeeper
Lori Horning has been with PWC since 1998. Having seen many changes at PWC, the one thing that remains the same is the dedication and leadership in environmental education and stewardship by so many. Although Lori is mostly behind the scenes, you will often see her helping out at The Conservancy’s events. Outside of PWC, Lori is loving every moment of her recent promotion to Mammy to two beautiful grandchildren.
Tristan Ashcroft
Special Projects Coordinator
Tristan has long had a love of the outdoors - growing up camping in and paddling on the forest lands, streams, and lakes of New York state and Pennsylvania. Opportunities for field trips and field work led him to earn degrees in geology from Juniata College (B.A.), SUNY Albany (M.S.), and the University of Nevada (Ph.D.).
Before joining PWC, he spent 15 years on the faculty at Ursinus College, teaching geology courses and related subjects. He likes rocks, but also brings a fascination for stream processes and a love for eastern forests, hardwood and otherwise, to the Conservancy.
He currently lives in Collegeville, PA and still enjoys traveling to and visiting forested hilly regions from coast to coast. In his spare time, Tristan is encouraging his lawn to turn into native meadow - sooner rather than later - so that he doesn’t have to mow it anymore.
2026 Conservation Fellow
Naomi Hillen
Naomi began as a spring intern and joined our team as the first conservation fellow in April. Naomi is working with the conservancy on a capstone project, focusing on grassland habitat restoration in sustainable agriculture practices. She also assists with conservation projects, social media outreach, and events. Naomi lives in Pottstown, and graduated in 2025 with degrees in Environmental Engineering and Biology from Saint Francis University. At Saint Francis, she was also on the women's cross country and track and field team. In her free time, she enjoys birding and traveling.
Part-Time Environmental Educators
Danielle Emers
Danielle joined The Conservancy staff in 2022 teaching the summer academies. She has a degree in Biology from Bloomsburg University and a Master's in curriculum and instruction from Villanova. She has been serving the Perkiomen Valley as a science educator since 1999 and currently teaches at middle school West. She also facilitates the Green Team there and is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship to her students! When she isn't planting natives on the school campus or organizing events, you can find her hiking, kayaking, or biking in Green Lane or walking her dogs with her family.
Kelly Mowery
Kelly joined the PWC staff in March 2026. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemistry, and is a certified chemistry and biology teacher with many years of experience teaching science to learners of all ages. She is excited about being involved with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s education program, where she can combine her passion for science with her love for being outside. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, assisting with English as a Second Language classes, visiting national parks and spending time with her husband and three adult daughters
Helene Israel
Kendell Slawecki
Kendall began working with the conservancy as an intern in 2024. She graduated from West Chester University in 2025 with a degree in Environmental Geography and a minor in sustainability. She now works part time as an educator. In her free time, Kendall loves hiking, painting, going to concerts and hanging out with her dogs.
Rose Townsend
Rose began working as a part-time environmental educator at PWC in April of 2024. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University and has worked in many education spaces. In her free time she enjoys singing, playing guitar, reading, writing, and spending time in creeks and other beautiful places with her husband and three children.