Celebrating a Legacy of Preservation: This Year’s Gala Honoree
September 25, 2024
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Title
Celebrating a Legacy of Preservation: This Year’s Gala Honoree
Body
We are thrilled to honor Robert (Bob) Ross at our 2024 Annual Gala for his extraordinary contributions to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Bob's steadfast dedication to preserving open spaces and advancing our regional trails has profoundly impacted our mission and the communities we serve.
Bob Ross has had four careers: farmer, New York City lawyer, caregiver for 34 years for his late wife, and his current passion, philanthropy. Bob’s involvement with the Trail Conference began in the 1960s when he discovered the Trail Conference at their office on Madison Avenue and was inspired to get involved by the legendary Bill Hoeferlin. As he always says, Bob ‘came for the trails, he came for the land, but he stayed for the people. ‘
Bob learned early on that it was possible to share in great successes by working with others, and his commitment has only grown stronger over the decades. A lifelong supporter-volunteer, Bob has been an active trail maintainer in New Jersey and has been a participant in numerous committees and advisory groups within the Trail Conference.
During the capital campaign to restore the schoolhouse that now serves as the Trail Conference Headquarters, Bob remarked what drew him to the organization, “I have always cherished the work of the Trail Conference because they create the trails I love. It has been a miracle to live in various locations across this vast metropolis and still be able to enjoy the solitude of open space where I can appreciate the beauty and diversity that nature has to offer.”
His work on the capital campaign led to his fourth career, fulfilling a promise made to his late wife, Janet Ross, to donate a large proportion of their estate to worthy charities. Today, he participates in fundraising initiatives for over 85 different charities around the country. He says: "I'm very grateful to the Trail Conference; it was really my training wheels in philanthropy. Janet would be so proud."
Bob has been the recipient of several Trail Conference awards, recognizing him for his tremendous efforts. In 2019 he received The Leo Rothschild Conservation Award which is presented to a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to the protection of our trails and/or the natural lands that surround them. Then in 2021 Bob received The Jakob Franke Award for Conservation which honors volunteers who have advocated for and dedicated significant time and effort to land preservation and trail protection in the face of encroaching development.
Bob's legal expertise has been a cornerstone in the Trail Conference’s land protection efforts. His contributions include pivotal work in the acquisition and protection of critical trail lands including lands surrounding the Long Path, Shawangunk Ridge, and Highlands Trails. His support also facilitated the addition of significant acreage to Wawayanda State Park, ensuring the preservation of vital trail corridors and natural habitats.
Bob has a tenacious appetite for innovative projects. A noteworthy venture was his support in funding the creation of a floating walkway along Terrace Pond in Wawayanda State Park. The establishment of this state-of-the-art structure will protect the sensitive ecosystem surrounding the trail. He is intensely grateful for all of the people that made that project come to fruition. He is also grateful for his ten years spent working on the strong partnership between The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLC, recipient of the 2024 National Land Trust Excellence Award) and the Trail Conference. Especially important to him was the work between TLC, the Trail Conference and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in preserving Split Rock Mountain. Recently the property (aka the Tahetaweew) was transferred back to the Ramapo people. This landmark moment returned stewardship of sacred land to the nation for the first time since 1737, before the American Revolution. This is also the first time such a transfer has taken place in the Northeast. Empowering people to safeguard their most valuable assets— people and organizations they love, is very important to Bob. After being a caregiver for 34 years to his late wife, Janet, Bob has encouraged people to protect themselves and their loved ones through estate planning. This drive has been instrumental in the creation of the Trail Conference’s Trail Angel Society, which provides reliable income long-term to the organization through planned gifts such as bequests or other estate provisions.
Those who have had the pleasure of working with Bob describe his passion, optimism, and can-do attitude as truly infectious. Bob’s own words capture his spirit: “It’s easy to take for granted that access to open space will always be available, but without the Trail Conference, I know the trail system would crumble into disrepair. Across the region, the Trail Conference provides a quality of life that millions have enjoyed decade after decade.” An impact that spans across the organization – which can be seen in a variety of places, projects, and within the individuals who work alongside him.