The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority welcomed Laura Grape to their board in late July. Grape will be replacing Jean Packard, who served on the board for 24 years before retiring recently, according to a press release from NOVA Parks.

According to the release, Grape has plenty of experience working with the environment and government in Northern Virginia. Recently, she served as a facilitator on a workshop focused on safety on the W&OD Trail.

She’s currently the executive director of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and has worked with the University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation.

Her prior experience also includes work with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and Fairfax County government.