In late April, Brad Weigel joined Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) as its new lands manager. Brad hails from Indiana, though he most recently spent two years as the superintendant of grounds at Glenstone, a contemporary art museum in suburban Washington, D.C. While there, he oversaw the museum’s extensive 300 acres of meadows and woodlands, managing for native plants, overseeing newly reforested woodlands, and utilizing organic landscaping practices, all while carefully ensuring that the grounds provided the appropriate backdrop for a variety of artistic installations.

Prior to this, Brad worked for more than a decade in land stewardship and natural resource management in his native Indiana. His work cultivated a wide range of expertise including native species management, invasive species control, ecological restoration, forest management, and prescribed fire management. He worked as the stewardship manager of an Indiana land trust with over 40 properties, as well as at several governmental and non-profit land management and conservation organizations including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and the Nature Conservancy.

Brad is thrilled to be living in Maine, where he looks forward to enjoying the region’s outstanding access to outdoor recreation. As a child, Brad developed an early love of nature — fishing, hiking, and exploring on his family’s 100-acre farm in rural Indiana. As an avid backpacker, paddler, fisherman, skier, and forager, Brad could not hope for a better place to call home. Professionally, he is also eager to apply his talents to BRLT’s public lands. “After researching BRLT, I was immediately impressed with its diverse collection of properties and quickly recognized that it would be a great place to work,” says Weigel. “I very much look forward to stewarding these awesome preserves and working with the dedicated staff and volunteers who have developed and maintained them."

Brad has spent the past two weeks in self-quarantine in his East Boothbay rental reading up on BRLT conservation lands and gearing up for his work begin in earnest. As of this week, he will be hitting the trails with the guidance of retiring Lands Manager Michael Warren. Brad will spend the month of May getting acquainted with BRLT’s preserves and its team of stewardship volunteers. Warren will stay on during this transition time to assist with training and direction.

The board and staff of BRLT could not be happier to welcome Brad to the region. His broad knowledge and experience are sure to benefit BRLT’s preserves and provide an excellent foundation to support the organizations ongoing stewardship goals and objectives.