Montgomery County

Common among many Citizen Planners, Dulcie’s path to the planning profession came through her interest in open space preservation. A passionate conservationist, Dulcie was instrumental in the founding of the 1993 Montgomery County Land Trust, later to be merged with Natural Lands. In this role, she has been responsible for creating conservation easements on over 47 properties, permanent protection of nearly 3,000 acres of land, and educational outreach to over 1,800 municipal leaders. Equally significant has been her advocacy to pass Montgomery County’s first Open Space Program; leading voter turnout to pass, in every municipality, a referendum to have the County Commissioners spend money on open space and a ballot initiative to earmark $150 million toward the effort!

Beyond conservation, Dulcie’s foray into planning began with serving as a Member of the Board of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, where she currently serves as Vice-Chair. Dulcie also served as a Member of the Steering Committee for Montco 2040, the county’s current comprehensive plan. Dulcie has served the planning community regionally as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board and statewide as a Member of the Board and Policy Committee of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association.

Summarizing accolades from her peers, Dulcie’s 30 plus years of service to planning can best be described with her more recent successes. These include participating in the publication of Return on Environment: the Economic Impact of Protected Open Space in Montgomery County and lobbying for changes to a Pennsylvania Law that had enabled eminent domain of land thought to be permanently preserved, thereby saving Stoneleigh, a 42-acre natural garden property in Villanova. The Chapter Awards Committee recognized that her educational outreach work plus land conservation has had a significant impact to the county. She clearly has the support of the Montgomery County Planning Staff, is viewed as a partner by elected and appointed officials, and is an advocate for the greater public good. In other words, she is a difference maker!