Monmouth Conservation Foundation on Tuesday announced it appointed Steven Denholtz of Denholtz Properties and Dan Dirscherl, managing director in the Ares Management Credit Group, to its board.
Since its inception in 1977, MCF has thrived on the diverse expertise of its volunteer board members, who passionately support the organization’s mission to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County. Denholtz and Dirscherl bring invaluable business acumen and financial insight, alongside their commitment of time, energy and resources, further strengthening the nonprofit’s efforts to #KeepMonmouthGreen.
“We are deeply grateful for the expertise and dedication that Steven and Dan bring to MCF’s board as we pursue our initiatives to create parks, preserve open spaces, protect farmlands, promote environmental education, safeguard water resources and conserve wildlife,” Bill Kastning, executive director, said.
Recent accomplishments by MCF, in collaboration with the federal, state, county and municipal partners, include:
- Preservation of 255 acres in Colts Neck and Howell, made possible through an inaugural grant from the Navy, Naval Weapons Station Earle, in collaboration with Monmouth County and local municipalities;
- Receipt of a three-year, $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Community-Wide Assessment grant to facilitate the transformation of Red Bank’s former landfill into a waterfront park;
- Acquisition of ownership of the 90-acre Scudder Preserve in Middletown, enabling the organization to demonstrate sustainability practices and enhance conservation education opportunities.
These collaborative endeavors, along with others, have preserved over 9,400 acres in Monmouth County. As a nonprofit land trust, MCF relies on the generous support of grantors, corporate sponsors, private donors and a dedicated volunteer board to augment the efforts of the small staff in advancing conservation initiatives.
Denholtz is a New Jersey native and Monmouth County resident. He leads Denholtz Properties, a Red Bank-based business renowned for its four-decade-long leadership in commercial real estate development. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Northwestern University, Denholtz brings a wealth of knowledge to the MCF board. He has also contributed to Monmouth University’s Kislak Real Estate Institute board of advisers and the boards of Hackensack Meridian Health, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
“Monmouth Conservation Foundation has spent nearly 50 years conserving and protecting our irreplaceable open lands, ensuring that Monmouth County remains a great place to live, work and play. As a Monmouth County resident, I am honored to join their board to continue this proud tradition and safeguard our natural environment for generations to come,” Denholtz said.
Dirscherl is returning to his Garden State roots after a 15-year hiatus. Dirscherl, a managing director in the Ares Management Credit Group, settled in Locust with his family, drawn by the area’s unparalleled parks, rivers and beaches. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, Dirscherl has a keen appreciation for nature, shaped by his childhood experiences in central New Jersey and his travels abroad.
“My decision to join MCF’s board stems from a deep-seated commitment to preserving the green spaces that make Monmouth County a vibrant community. I am eager to contribute my financial expertise and community ties to further MCF’s mission of conservation,” Dirscherl said.
