Midcoast Conservancy has welcomed Linc Oliver-O’Neil and Genny Davis as its 2023 Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) Environmental Stewards focused on water and lands in its service area. MCC stewards volunteer for a 45-week, 1700-hour term of national service. They serve individually with nonprofits, state or federal agencies to increase organizational volunteer capacity and aid in the development and implementation of host sites’ land management plans.

Genny Davis grew up knee deep in the muddy creeks of central Virginia, which ignited her lifelong love for things that live, ebb, and flow. After graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, she completed a year of service at Patuxent Research Refuge with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps where she focused her time on outreach and environmental education. Most recently, she spent the fall with New Jersey Audubon at Cape May Bird Observatory as a Monarch Field Naturalist. She will be focused on work serving the Damariscotta Lake and Sheepscot River watersheds, and engaging with the local community.

Davis says, “I was drawn to the position at Midcoast Conservancy because I value stewardship that engages communities to be involved in restoration at the watershed level. I am looking forward to getting out on the water and supporting the YCC crew in the summer.” 

Linc Oliver-O’Neil will be supporting the Midcoast Conservancy Lands team through volunteer and community engagement, event planning and facilitation, and property management projects. They believe in Midcoast Conservancy’s potential to support life-sustaining, resilient, and interdependent communities across socio-economic status and cultural background. Linc comes to Midcoast Conservancy as a builder, facilitator, and conflict mediator who strives to (re)connect people to themselves, each other, and the ecosystems they live in. They have two bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University.

Oliver-O’Neil says, "Given that Midcoast Conservancy's capacity actually grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are lots of opportunities to cross pollinate, both within and outside of the organization. I'm eager to continue the work of engaging our communities, landscapes, and waters in ways that support a sense of ecological belonging and interdependence for all beings."