Wayne’s Leah and Jason Morganroth make for quite the 21st-century power couple. An equestrian eventer, Leah spent her childhood in Unionville. The 34-year-old majored in environmental engineering at Lehigh University, then headed to Villanova for an MBA that led to a career in green technology.
Her 36-year-old husband, Jason, is a Gladwyne native and Haverford School alum. He studied economics at the University of Pennsylvania and is now a partner in the Blue Bell-based real estate investment firm Capitol Solutions. Where possible, he ties his passion for the outdoors into adaptive reuse, green fields and smart growth.
Together, they cochair Natural Lands’ NextGen Council, a group of nature-loving professionals who debunk the notion that younger people aren’t out there actively volunteering. “It all fits well with nature, the ecosystem and ties in with Natural Lands’ mission,” says Jason of the four-year-old council.
NextGen’s 16 members are leaders and influencers who envision a future for the region that’s fueled by shared passions for open-space preservation, outdoor recreation and land conservation. Largely, they harness their own extensive professional and personal networks to raise awareness of Natural Lands, the influential nonprofit conservation organization based in Media. As the youngest members of the Natural Lands’ President’s Council, the Morganroths also advise on various projects, programs and events that build bridges between nature and their peers.
“It’s been heartening to see a new generation of conservation-minded individuals who are passionate,” says Oliver Bass, Natural Lands’ president. “Our NextGen members bring great new perspectives on how Natural Lands can generate awareness, engagement and impact with a younger and more diverse audience.”
The idea for the NextGen Council was floated about five years ago. Recruitment was complete by 2020, and the first council members named in 2021. “We were given a voice,” says Jason Morganroth.
Leah grew up on a small farm bordering ChesLen Preserve, where she was introduced to Natural Lands. Jason’s postcollege years included running and triathlons, so he’d join Leah on nature and dog walks at ChesLen. He’d even run alongside her and her horse. Now the couple’s year-old daughter, Isabel, is also a big fan of ChesLen.
“It was a big piece of my upbringing,” says Leah, whose mom and sister are also equestrians. “The only reason I could compete at the level I did was because I had access to Natural Lands properties. Endurance training and exposure to natural environments are keys to successful eventing, so I was fortunate to be from a family with a property so close to ChesLen to do that conditioning work. But we also hiked the grounds and pursued passions to a level we otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The idea for the NextGen Council was floated about five years ago. Recruitment was complete by 2020, and the first council members named in 2021. “We were given a voice,” Jason says. “At first, we had smaller events—say, hikes with a NextGen focus.”
Last year saw the first events catering to the NextGen crowd, with the launch of a happy hour prior to a summer event at ChesLen. This past spring, the council hosted an open-house reception in Philadelphia to celebrate an exhibit of landscape paintings focused on Stroud Preserve. “A lot of it is education and awareness,” says Jason. “We’d like to do one event in Philly a year. There’s clearly an interest to go out and enjoy nature—that’s something that’s not going to die. Natural Lands preserves are free and open, so it’s our job to educate and make others aware of the easy ways to get involved.”
NextGen hopes to host eight to 10 events a year. This fall, they include Beats and Brews, an outdoor concert at Binky Lee Preserve Sept. 21; the ChesLen Chase 5K and family fun run on Oct. 19; and Pints on the Preserve “Family Edition” on Nov. 9 at ChesLen. “Everyone knows the importance of the outdoors,” says Leah. “That access is at risk because of sprawl and changes in housing markets. There’s a lot we all take for granted, but [we] realize nature may not be there for their children and grandchildren.”
Visit natlands.org/nextgen-council.
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