Piedmont University Professor Joins Southeastern Trust for Parks & Land’s Board of Directors

Piedmont University’s Rebecca Godwin has been appointed to the board of directors for the Southeastern Trust for Parks & Land (SE Trust).

SE Trust acquires and develops land for conservation, recreation, and community in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

“We are tremendously proud that SE Trust continues to improve our organization and further accomplish our mission,” said Barney Crooks, president of the board. “Bringing on new board members like Rebecca with such a diverse background and wealth of experience further strengthens our leadership and will help guide SE Trust to the next level for decades to come.”

Godwin is an assistant professor of biology at Piedmont.

“I was asked to join the Southeastern Trust for Parks & Land because of my background in biology and conservation and my history of working with the Trust and other conservation groups in the region. It has always been important to me as a scientist to give back to society by working to conserve natural areas, increase local stewardship, and participate in science education in my local community. Additionally, joining the Board at SE Trust has given me access to thousands of acres of natural areas in the southeast that I can then make available to my students at Piedmont for research projects and educational activities.”

Godwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Biology from Auburn University, as well as a doctorate in entomology from the University of California, Davis. Godwin made international news in 2021 for discovering 33 previously unnamed spider species.  

“Our organization is fueled by amazing volunteers, and we’re thrilled that Rebecca will join this group on the board,” said Bill Jones, founder and executive director of SE Trust. “Rebecca will help steer us into our second decade, further allowing us to extend our core mission of conservation, recreation, and community.”

SE Trust was formed in 2012 with the mission of acquiring and developing land for the benefits for conservation, recreation, and community. Since then, the nonprofit has acquired and activated thousands of acres of land across dozens of properties in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information, visit: www.stpal.org.