Leadership Rooted in Conservation
The Long Island Conservancy is powered by a passionate team of environmental experts, civic leaders, and community advocates who share one goal: restoring Long Island’s natural landscapes.
Meet the people working every day to restore Long Island’s ecosystems, plant native, remove the invasive, and conserve our lands.
Devon Giordano, Executive Director
Devon Giordano is a strategic leader with deep experience in conservation, philanthropy, and civic engagement. A Long Island native, she brings both a global perspective and a local passion for protecting the region’s natural resources and connecting its communities through meaningful environmental action.
Before joining the Long Island Conservancy, Devon served as Associate Director of Development at The Nature Conservancy, where she advanced mission-driven fundraising and partnerships. Her career also includes leadership roles at Cornell University’s Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, Long Island University, and the Hagedorn Foundation, where she directed a regional campaign benefiting more than 100 nonprofit organizations.
As founder and principal of DG Strategy Advisors, Devon provided strategic fundraising and organizational counsel to mission-focused institutions. She is known for building strong partnerships, engaging boards, and leading collaborative efforts that drive lasting impact — strengthening both communities and the environment they depend on.
Marshall Brown, Board President & Co-Founder
Marshall Brown is a social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering communities and advancing environmental restoration. Beginning his career in New York’s “Silicon Alley,” he worked with early internet and civic-tech startups, helping them develop technologies and business strategies that served the public good.
In the 2000s, Marshall helped pioneer New York City’s public Wi-Fi movement, bringing free wireless access to parks across four boroughs — including Times Square and Union Square. He later led Save the Great South Bay, a nonprofit of over 15,000 members focused on uniting scientists and local residents to protect Long Island’s waterways and ecosystems.
In 2021, he co-founded The Long Island Conservancy, focusing on community-driven habitat restoration and sustainable land management. He also co-founded Spadefoot Ecosystem Solutions, developing nature-based approaches to water treatment and pollution reduction.
Marshall believes that lasting change begins locally — when technology, community, and nature work together toward a shared future.
Frank Piccininni, Board Vice President & Co-Founder
Frank Piccininni is a biologist, environmental attorney, and lifelong advocate for ecological restoration. As Co-Founder of the Long Island Conservancy, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to restoring functional habitat across human-impacted landscapes.
Frank holds a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Marshall University, and a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is also the founder of Spadefoot Ecosystem Solutions, where he leads nature-based restoration and green infrastructure projects, specializing in invasive species management, ecological design, and adaptive landscape solutions.
Frank serves as Co-Chair of the Land Use Committee of the Environmental Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and sits on the board of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons. A native Long Islander and father, he is deeply committed to restoring the island’s natural heritage for future generations.
Dr. Hildur Palsdottir, Board Member
Dr. Hildur Palsdottir brings to the Long Island Conservancy a unique blend of scientific expertise, ecological advocacy, and a deep commitment to healing our relationship with nature. A biophysicist by training, she earned her Ph.D. in Cellular Bioenergetics from the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Germany, followed by postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and New York University Medical School.
Hildur is the Co-Founder of Sol Center, a nature-based healing arts center in Port Washington, and ReWild Long Island, which promotes native planting and ecological restoration. She also serves as President of the Science Museum of Long Island and sits on the advisory board of the Center for Earth Ethics.
As a certified meditation instructor, Reiki Master Teacher, and eco-minister, Hildur’s work bridges science, spirituality, and community. A native of Iceland, she is passionate about “rewilding” and the belief that caring for the planet begins with caring for ourselves and one another.
“We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Dr. Kristin Perret, Board Member
Dr. Kristin Perret brings to the Long Island Conservancy a deep understanding of how communities can grow stronger while working together to address environmental challenges. With a background in clinical psychology, she integrates the principles of human behavior and community well-being into sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Perret’s work focuses on advancing social enterprise through supporting underserved populations, promoting responsible industrial practices, and expanding access to open spaces. She is particularly interested in applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy frameworks to inspire prosocial behavior, collective responsibility, and the development of a modern land ethic.
She holds both a Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University, where her research explored behavioral adherence and motivation through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Dr. Perret’s interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, sustainability, and community resilience — embodying the Conservancy’s mission to foster a healthier, more connected Long Island.
Dr. Artie Kopelman, Board Member
Dr. Arthur “Artie” Kopelman brings over four decades of experience as an environmental educator, marine scientist, and conservation leader to the Long Island Conservancy. He is Co-Founder and President of the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI), where he also serves as Senior Scientist and Naturalist.
A population ecologist by training, Dr. Kopelman has studied finback, humpback, and other whale species in New York and New England waters since 1987, and has led long-term research on the population dynamics of New York’s harbor seals since 1995. His work at Cupsogue Beach Park has advanced understanding of seal site fidelity through photo-identification research.
Dr. Kopelman earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the City University of New York Graduate Center and served as a Professor of Science at the Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) for 39 years, where he was named SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and later Professor Emeritus. He also lectured on marine mammals at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.
Matt Juvet, Board Member
Matt Gettinger, Board Member
Matt Gettinger, our designated “Plant Manager,” is a third-generation nurseryman with deep roots in Long Island’s horticultural and conservation communities. He holds a degree in Operations Management and Marketing from the University of Delaware and serves as Co-Founder and President of Long Island Natives, the region’s largest producer of native plants.
Among his many accomplishments, Matt helped lead the MillionTreesNYC initiative with the New York City Parks Department, contract-growing more than 150,000 native trees over a nine-year period. He is a New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional and serves on the Executive Board of the Long Island Farm Bureau.
An avid fly fisherman and lifelong outdoorsman, Matt is passionate about restoring native landscapes and ensuring that Long Island’s natural heritage continues to flourish for generations to come.
Invite Long Island Conservancy to Speak in Your Community
Education and outreach are vital pathways to successful conservation. The Long Island Conservancy welcomes opportunities to engage with schools, neighborhood associations, and community groups to share knowledge about habitat restoration, native planting, and sustainable land stewardship.
By deepening understanding of what’s at stake — and what each of us can do — we can inspire collective action and create a healthier, more resilient Long Island for generations to come.