Sussex County Land Trust Welcomes First Full-Time Executive Director Amid Exciting Phase of Growth

The Sussex County Land Trust (SCLT) is entering an exciting new chapter of growth and leadership with the hiring of Sara M. Bluhm as its first full-time Executive Director. A Milford native, 2023 Leadership Delaware graduate, and accomplished community leader, Bluhm’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in the Trust’s mission to expand public access to open spaces and enhance resource protection across Sussex County.

Since its establishment in 2001, the SCLT has been guided by a part-time contractual Executive Director and an active Board of Trustees. Initially, properties within the SCLT portfolio were primarily managed for resource protection, with limited or no public access. In recent years, however, the Trust has embarked on a transformative journey to expand its mission and enhance public engagement.

This shift began with the acquisition of Hudson Park in December 2018, marking the start of an exciting new phase of growth. Over the past five years, six new properties have been added to the Trust’s portfolio, all with the intent of providing public access. Simultaneously, longstanding properties like Ickford Park near Seaford have undergone restoration and planning for public use. These efforts contribute to a countywide network of parks and preserves, master-planned for sensitive development to support passive recreational and educational opportunities.

“These significant actions advance our mission of resource protection and public access to open space across Sussex County,” said Ring Lardner, SCLT Board Chair. “To implement a fully functioning park and preserve system, the Board recognized the need for a full-time Executive Director to develop operational capacity, support ecological health, establish friends groups, launch public programming, and lead fundraising efforts.”

Bluhm brings a wealth of leadership and community engagement experience to the Trust. Her professional background includes serving as the first Economic Development & Community Engagement Administrator for the City of Milford and managing international beer, wine, and food conferences as Conference Operations Manager at Zephyr Conferences. She has also held leadership roles as Publisher of MilfordLIVE, Executive Director of the Delaware Diabetes Coalition, and Director of Leadership Central Delaware— the latter two she continues to hold today. Additional roles include Promotional Marketing and Communications Manager at GROWMARK FS, LLC, President of Downtown Milford, Inc. (DMI), and a four-and-a-half-year tenure on Milford’s Planning Commission.

“I am honored to step into the role of Executive Director at such an exciting time for the Sussex County Land Trust,” said Bluhm. “I’m eager to bring my experience in marketing, communications, land use, and nonprofit management to this incredible mission. Together, we’ll grow SCLT’s impact, preserve vital resources, and share its inspiring story with the community.”

Bluhm’s accomplishments include receiving the 2019 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award, being named 2018 Milford Citizen of the Year, recognition in the 2017 Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40, and the 2017 Immaculata University Alumni Medal. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Immaculata University and a master’s degree in Marketing Management from Wilmington University.

Outgoing Executive Director Mark Chura, who has led the Trust since 2016, will remain with SCLT in a consulting role as Director of Conservation. Chura’s focus will shift to completing master planning and development projects for the Trust’s existing properties and leading new acquisition efforts.

“It’s gratifying to have been part of the Trust’s growth and its evolution as a provider of public recreation and ecological protection across the County,” said Chura. “Our goal now is to develop my new position into a full-time role as the organization continues to expand.”

Lardner added, “Now, more than ever, Sussex County needs a strong network of government and non-profits to secure permanent protection of our natural, agricultural, and cultural resources. Operating a first-class park and preserve system requires resources, and we rely on the generosity of our government, business partners, and the public at large. We encourage everyone to support the Trust through volunteering and donations to help us fulfill this vital mission.”

For more information on SCLT’s mission, initiatives, and opportunities to get involved, visit www.sclandtrust.org.