Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) is pleased to welcome Patrick Lyman to its Board of Trustees, adding specialized environmental expertise to its roster of volunteer overseers. Lyman came aboard in January 2025 to assist MCF with its nonprofit mission of acquiring and preserving open space and farmland and conserving natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability.
Lyman is an environmental protection specialist with the federal government, responsible for conducting environmental reviews for federally funded projects, like storm recovery, in New Jersey and New York. He worked as an environmental consultant at a local company for nearly twelve years prior to this. Since 2013, he has also served as a marine science technician for the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve – Sector New York, focusing on marine safety and pollution response.
“Patrick is an outstanding addition to MCF’s Board of Trustees. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in environmental issues and policy, along with a deep appreciation for land conservation and stakeholder concerns for land use,” said MCF President Matthew Cohen.
A resident of Monmouth County or its surrounding area since early childhood, Lyman values our green spaces and believes in conserving land to promote ecosystem health and to provide sustainable uses by society, including fishing, hunting, birdwatching, exercise, and recreation. He holds a B.A. in environmental studies and history from the University of Colorado Boulder and an M.S. in homeland security from Monmouth University.
“I value the idea of a land ethic, where people are motivated to care for the land as part of our role in society. If something is beneficial for the natural environment, while society benefits, I see that as a win,” said Lyman. “I look forward to working with MCF to help preserve the remaining land in Monmouth County and educating more of our community on the many benefits of green space.”
Lyman’s favorite green spaces in and around Monmouth County include Holmdel Park, where he has enjoyed running since middle school, and Cheesequake State Park, which offers beautiful wooded and marshland habitats. In his spare time, he enjoys trail running, fishing, birdwatching, and spending time with his wife, Ellen, and their dog, Harper.