Grant DeCosta

Grant DeCosta became the Director of the Brandywine Conservancy in 2025. He oversees all Conservancy program areas including conservation, stewardship, municipal assistance, and community services. 

DeCosta first began his career at the Conservancy in 2013 as an easement writer, and he has since served in a variety of leadership roles during his tenure. Prior to his current role, DeCosta served as the Director of Community Services and Co-Director of the Conservancy, where he advanced core projects—such as leading the Brandywine-Christina Watershed Partners through the Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI)—strengthened the organization’s Municipal Assistance Program, and developed a new Community Services department, which now leads land restoration projects to improve water and soil quality. He also worked with landowners, municipalities, regulators, and policy makers to provide a holistic approach to natural resource conservation and protection. DeCosta also led the Brandywine Flood Study project, a partnership with Chester County Water Resources Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, which identified an actionable suite of flood mitigation and risk reduction projects to better protect communities along the Brandywine Creek before, during, and after future flooding events. 

As Director of the Brandywine Conservancy, DeCosta continues to expand the Conservancy’s presence and efforts to protect and conserve the land, water, natural, historic and cultural resources of this region, while also providing strategic guidance and leadership for the organization to further its mission. He has over 20 years of experience in conservation and environmental policy work in the non-profit, private and public sectors in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, D.C. He holds a M.S. in geography from West Chester University and a B.S. in forestry and wildlife science from Virginia Tech.