Midcoast Conservancy has named its inaugural board of directors, effective January 1, 2016.

Comprising two members from each of the four merging organizations (Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance), the board will be chaired by SVCA member Susan Russell, who brings a wealth of non-profit leadership experience to her role at the helm, including as the immediate past-president of the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, and past board chair of Kieve Wavus Education Inc. Fellow board members include DLWA members Hugh Riddleberger and Marty Welt; HVNC members Carole Cifrino and Chuck Dinsmore; SVCA member Joanne Steneck; and SWLA members Buck O’Herin and Susan Shell.

In addition to the board’s skilled guidance, Midcoast Conservancy will benefit from the ongoing participation of the founding members and the combined corps of dedicated volunteers. The organization structure includes regional councils in each merging organization’s area, to ensure local and current engagement with Midcoast Conservancy’s entire area of conservation. With the expanded volunteer base, and staff ability to focus on their fields of expertise, Midcoast Conservancy looks forward to more effective, active protection of the water and land to which its members have long committed their time and resources.

For more information about Midcoast Conservancy, please contact Jody Jones, executive director, at jodyjones@dlwa.org.