The New Jersey Pinelands Commission, tasked with protecting the state’s 938,000-acre Pine Barrens, swore in three new gubernatorial appointees to its 15-member board of directors earlier this month. Theresa Lettman, Laura E. Matos and Davon McCurry – nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy and approved by the state Senate – took the oath of office during the Jan. 14 virtual meeting of this independent state agency.

As Communications Officer Paul Leakan explained, seven members of the board are chosen by the governor; one member is…