P. Andrew Schaum, Esquire
North American Land Trust (NALT) is pleased to announce that Andrew Schaum, a community leader with more than 25 years of land and historic preservation experience, was recently appointed to the NALT Board of Directors.
“We are honored to welcome Andy to the Board of Directors of the North American Land Trust,” said NALT President Steven Carter. “He brings exceptional talent, a strong network, and a deep commitment to community and conservation. We are excited for his energy and insight as we continue our mission to conserve and steward land.”
Schaum, a resident of East Bradford Township, Pennsylvania, was one of the founders of the Valley Creek Restoration Partnership, which received a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. He also worked on creating the Plum Run Preserve in East Bradford, which preserved land in a riparian zone to create a greenway trail system. Schaum also participated in the acquisition of the Strode’s Barn, which was recently restored and will become a Heritage Center. The center will help tell the story of the Battle of the Brandywine and the agricultural heritage of Strode’s Mill Historic District in East Bradford.
“Conservation is the place where we come together as a community to preserve our quality of life here in Chester and Delaware counties,” Schaum said. “It is also important to connect these local matters toward becoming part of the solution to global climate change. From forest preservation to flood mitigation to promoting soil health – the actions we take here in our hometowns will become part of the overall solution to combating the serious risks associated with our warming planet.”
For nearly 20 years, Schaum served as President and CEO of the Children’s County Week Association (CCWA). Founded in 1875, the mission of the CCWA is to connect children to the outdoors. The staff does this primarily through environmental education and camping programs at the Paradise Farm Camps site.
The nonprofit youth development organization provides stewardship to approximately 600 acres at its Paradise Farm Camps in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Schaum has worked for more than 30 years as a civil litigation attorney, helping clients manage complex legal matters. In that role, Andy saw himself as a “creative problem solver” finding ways to resolve conflict. Andy hopes to bring that same creativity to NALT, as it finds new opportunities for conservation and helps landowners preserve and manage open space.
“I hope to bring my passion, positivity, and productivity to help chart the way forward for NALT,” Schaum said.
Andy, as most folks know him, is a former trial lawyer who originally focused his practice on civil litigation matters, first with the Philadelphia law firm, Cozen O’Connor, then with the West Chester based firm of Lamb McErlane. He broadened his practice over the years to better utilize his creative problem solving skills, working on alternative dispute resolution, business and land use matters. He also helped found an entrepreneurial medical software venture. Realizing he thrived on executive actions, he embarked on a journey of exploration, choosing to transition to the nonprofit sector through his passion for land preservation.
Mr. Schaum was fortunate to work with some of the early pioneers in Chester County who set the county on a path to leading the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on land and historic preservation initiatives. He consulted with the Chester County Community Foundation and their 2020 land use affiliate, worked for Tyler Arboretum and French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, serving both as Director of Development. He then found his true calling, as President & CEO of CCWA – Paradise Farm Camps for twenty years. Children’s Country Week Association (CCWA) was founded in 1875 and has been connecting children to the outdoors ever since. Andy led the youth development organization through a transformational period of growth and renewal. He helped place a conservation easement on the majority of their almost 600 acres of scenic natural resources and led the effort to develop public trails on the property, in collaboration with East Bradford Township and Natural Lands. Through his leadership, CCWA became a vibrant community-based institution, now partnering with hundreds of schools each year through its environmental education and team building programs.
Andy earned his B.S.in Business Administration (Marketing Major) from Pennsylvania State University and received his Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law. He attributes those combined educational experiences in serving as the foundation for his values-driven approach to the nonprofit sector. He willingly serves his community in many ways, on East Bradford’s Zoning Hearing Board, formerly chairing its Trails Committee, while also having been appointed to serve on numerous open space and planning committees at the local and regional levels. Some of his more notable accomplishments include co-founding the Valley Creek Restoration Partnership, envisioning the Plum Run Greenway and trail system, and helping restore West Valley Creek for improved fish habitat and water quality.
The Schaum family resides in the National Register Strode’s Mill Historic District. Andy’s wife, Jennifer, has spent her entire career working on improving early childhood education in the Philadelphia region. Their son, Casey, moved to Truckee, California to live the mountain life, while pursuing his passion for skateboarding as Director of Operations for Woodward Tahoe. Together, they share a love of nature, immersing themselves in its splendors from coast to coast.
