Midcoast Conservancy is delighted to welcome Lissa Widoff as its interim executive director following the retirement of founding Executive Director Jody Jones. Widoff will oversee the day-to-day business of Midcoast Conservancy, as well as undertake an organizational assessment that will assist the search committee in finding Jones’ successor. Widoff says, “I am excited to be joining Midcoast Conservancy at this time! Living in the headwaters region of the Sheepscot River, and as a long-time member of Midcoast Conservancy and before that the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance, I was moved to learn about the return of salmon fry to the streams of Montville. The decades of hard work and belief in a vision that restoration is possible inspired me to step forward to support this critical transition time for Midcoast Conservancy. I hope to contribute to the good work underway by the staff, board and members to heal the lands and waters that surround us and connect to a hopeful future. In these uncertain times, Midcoast Conservancy offers what many of us need right now, a feeling of connection and hope.”

Widoff is an ecologist, conservationist, community-builder and experienced organizational leader. She served as the first executive director of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, an environmental foundation supporting graduate student leaders making positive change. During her 20-year tenure, she oversaw expanded leadership opportunities and facilitated greater equity and inclusion in the Foundation’s flagship Fellowship Program. She has wide experience in environmental policy and in managing philanthropic initiatives in Maine and the northeast in environmental issues and the arts. Widoff is trained as an ecologist and has worked for The Nature Conservancy, the University of Maine, and co-directed the Land for Maine’s Future Program at its inception from 1988-1992. She has served on the Boards of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Maine State Board of Environmental Protection. She holds a B.S in forest biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and an M.P.A from Harvard Kennedy School.

Widoff says, “From farms to fisheries to forests, connecting in place is more important than ever, and Midcoast Conservancy’s preserves, practices and educational programs will continue to be an asset to communities throughout our watersheds. I look forward to joining the team and continuing the inspiring work already underway and I look forward to hearing from members of the Midcoast Conservancy community!”

To learn more about Midcoast Conservancy, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/

Lissa Widoff can be reached at lissa@midcoastconservancy