The South Alabama Land Trust, a regional land conversation nonprofit, has a new leader.

Jane Herndon was announced as the group's new executive director, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in environmental management and law.

Herndon comes to SALT at a time when natural lands and farmland in Baldwin and Mobile counties are under increasing development pressure.

"Having grown up and lived in New Jersey for most of my life, I have seen firsthand the adverse consequences to the environment and to communities of failing to plan for open space," Herndon said. "I would hat to see that happen in south Alabama."

SALT delivered on its conservation mission on Aug. 3 when it obtained conservation easements on seven parcels of undeveloped land owned by the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary in Mobile County.

"SALT already has conservation easements on 49 parcels on Dauphin Island," said SALT Chair Leslie Weeks. "We are pleased to bring more land under protection from development. It's good for the environment, for birders, for migratory birds, and great for the community."

SALT, a nationally-accredited land trust, has been conserving land in south Alabama since it was founded in 1990. To date, SALT has protected 10,800 acres of land across Baldwin and Mobile counties, including critical plant and animal habitat, coastal lands, the edges along creeks, rivers and bays, clean water and the scenic beauty that defines coastal Alabama.