Prior to moving to Princeton in 2003, Steve founded and led the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (ECWA) in Durham, NC. With degrees in botany and water quality, Steve has served Princeton in multiple capacities. During his years as the first resource manager for the Friends of Princeton Open Space, he conducted plant inventories and led workdays and nature walks at many of Princeton's parks and nature preserves. He was a longtime member of the Princeton Environmental Commission, spearheading a new Environmental Resource Inventory for the town, and served as chair of the Princeton Shade Tree Commission. As a member of the board for Princeton's Mountain Lakes House, he helped increase energy efficiency and solve runoff issues.
Steve has led the effort to save and rehabilitate the Veblen House and Cottage since discovering them during a walk through Herrontown Woods in 2007. A professional jazz musician and amateur actor in the Onstage Seniors ensemble, he maintains various blogs on nature, sustainability and climate change, including more than 1000 posts at PrincetonNatureNotes.org. He is inspired by the broad and deep legacy Oswald Veblen left in Princeton, American academia, and the world. Much of his research about Veblen House and the extraordinary people who have lived there over the past century is published at VeblenHouse.org. He has received various awards, including the 2013 Governor's Jefferson Award for his environmental advocacy.
A graduate of Univ. of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, Ahmed is a prominent architect in Princeton. Before forming Azmy Architects LLC, Ahmed was the principal architect at HACBM Architects, Engineers and Planners, and CUH2A. Ahmed is also a leader in the Rotary at district and local levels. He brings to the project a passion for rehabilitating Veblen House, and a hands-on approach that complements his expertise in design and planning.
Scott has been deeply engaged in community organizations since leaving corporate life over a decade ago. Recently he served as chair of The Watershed Institute’s board of trustees and as chair of Princeton’s municipal Citizens Finance Advisory Committee. Scott’s business career was in corporate finance, but his real love was always in working in the woods. His undergraduate degree is in forestry; his yard is filled with raingardens and native wildflowers.
Inge has a goal to help botanists, who she calls "Physicians of the Earth," to translate what they know into easily understood information for people to learn and enjoy.
Adrian grew up in the Princeton area and now lives in the Riverside neighborhood with his wife Meghan and two children, Palmer and Maddox. The family has made the Herrontown Woods an extension of their backyard during the pandemic, visiting frequently to volunteer, hike, play with friends, attend yoga classes and more. Adrian also runs the Herrontown Woods Instagram account. After graduating from Princeton, he worked for BlackRock for 10 years, and is now an independent financial planner and wealth manager for families.
Former Board Members
FOHW is grateful for the vital role these past board members have played in the organization's evolution and in the renovation of Herrontown Woods.
Beginning in 2013, Sally worked with husband and fellow founding member, Kurt Tazelaar on weekends and during the summer to clear and mark trails in Herrontown Woods and Autumn Hill Reservation--more than 200 total acres. Along with Steve Hiltner, Kurt and Sally formed the core of what became FOHW.
Margaret returned to the area after graduating from Princeton University, discovered Herrontown Woods, and became involved with FOHW through workdays. She took on the role of secretary for FOHW, and made a lovely painting of Veblen House, copies of which are on display on paths leading to the house.
Perry got involved with FOHW soon after moving to Princeton from California. He applied his many skills to helping the organization grow and thrive, from organizing documents online to creating signage, to repairing and improving shutters and access to the Veblen House.
Jon Johnson
Trained in hydro geology, Jon joined the board early on, providing an important boost with his good judgement and knowledge of the preserve's geology. Jon made the first map and pamphlet for the preserve, and discovered that some of the boulders at Herrontown Woods are magnetic. He ultimately tracked the magnetite back to its mother lode up near Stone Hill Church.
Nicole has lived in Princeton, not far from Herrontown Woods, for almost 18 years. She first learned about Herrontown Woods from her husband, a Princeton native, who told tales of catching frogs, crayfish, and salamanders in its streams as a boy. Nicole introduced her sons to the woods when they were very young—and her oldest son chose to complete his Bar Mitzvah community service project there some years ago, creating the first trail in an area that later evolved into the Barden.
Nicole has worked in the realm of international relations most of her career and is now managing two global programs at the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), Princeton University. When she has free time, she hikes the trails at Herrontown with her furry stick-tight, Ziggy. Nicole also created the pop-up “May’s Café” in Herrontown’s “Barden” with the hope that it will inspire more locals to discover, enjoy, and support one of Princeton’s natural treasures. FOHW has benefitted from her experience networking, community-building, fundraising, and event-planning. Though not currently on the board, Nicole remains very active with FOHW, continuing to run the monthly May's Cafes, and updating the website.
Nicole has worked in the realm of international relations most of her career and is now managing two global programs at the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), Princeton University. When she has free time, she hikes the trails at Herrontown with her furry stick-tight, Ziggy. Nicole also created the pop-up “May’s Café” in Herrontown’s “Barden” with the hope that it will inspire more locals to discover, enjoy, and support one of Princeton’s natural treasures. FOHW has benefitted from her experience networking, community-building, fundraising, and event-planning. Though not currently on the board, Nicole remains very active with FOHW, continuing to run the monthly May's Cafes, and updating the website.
