Midcoast Conservancy is pleased to announce Sarah Giffen Carr as the new co-executive director of conservation. 

Carr brings decades of conservation experience from a varied and accomplished career. She served as a senior planner for the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, addressing land use issues in areas ranging from Monhegan to the North Woods. Carr previously worked on water quality data collection and analysis with the United States Geological Survey and has non-profit leadership experience as a board member for the Kennebec Land Trust. Most recently, she has contracted with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on licensing and land use issues. A natural conservationist, Sarah honed her ethic as a child exploring the lands and waters of midcoast Maine. In fact, her first paddle was down the Sheepscot River with her parents, a tradition she now repeats each year with her husband and three children.

“I am thrilled to be joining Midcoast Conservancy’s efforts to protect and restore vital lands and waters on a scale that matters,” said Carr. “Working together we can shape the future of an extraordinary area of the state - an area of incredibly rich and varied natural landscapes.  Conserving the values of the Midcoast is important for our environmental, social, and economic well-being and I am excited to be part of that effort.”

Carr joins existing Co-Executive Directors Kristin Pennock (Operations) and Tim Trumbauer (Engagement and Strategy) as part of a shared leadership model implemented by the Board of Directors over the winter. The shared leadership model was designed to be more resilient, promote continuity, and capitalize on diversity of expertise and perspective that will provide the organization the flexibility and skill sets required to meet the complex conservation challenges of Midcoast Maine. 

Midcoast Conservancy Board Chair, Buck O’Herin, added, “The Board of Directors is excited that Sarah Giffen Carr will be joining our leadership team as co-director of conservation. Sarah is a ‘big picture’ thinker and knows Maine’s conservation scene well. She has great experience, and brings considerable communication skills and passion to our timely conservation work. Sarah’s strong interest for this co-leadership role with Kristin and Tim will be invaluable in charting this new model for Midcoast Conservancy.“

Carr will be working with Midcoast Conservancy part-time over the summer, then starting full-time on Sept. 3.

Visit midcoastconservancy.org to become a member, explore public preserves and programs, or learn more about conservation work.