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Islesboro Islands Trust is a non-profit land trust serving the community of Islesboro in Maine's Penobscot Bay.
Founded in 1985 as Islesboro's "environmental conscience", our mission is to enhance the quality of residents's lives through the preservation of open space, educate all residents as to the value of the islands's natural ecosystems, and act as an environmental advocate on behalf of Islesboro and the surrounding Penobscot Bay region. Over the past 23 years, we have succeeded in all three areas:
Land Protection ~ IIT has protected nearly 800 acres of land and ten miles of shoreline on Islesboro. These conservation lands protect priceless ecological, recreational, and scenic resources that we hold in trust for the Islesboro community. Using a variety of land conservation tools, we continue to partner with landowners to ensure that Islesboro's natural heritage remains intact.
Education ~ IIT was one of the first land trusts in Maine to offer environmental education programs, and we continue to provide a full array of options for both children and adults. We offer sea kayak camping trips for teens, a nature day camp for children, field trips and service learning projects for students, and a summer nature walk series for adults. All of our education programs are offered to the community free of charge.
Advocacy ~ IIT has played a leadership role in many local and regional issues over the years. We support local planning efforts and grassroots environmental work, and guide regional issues towards better environmental outcomes.
IIT is a thriving organization guided by 15 trustees, 32 advisory council members, 2 full-time staff, and a large group of dedicated volunteers:
~ Board of Trustees ~
Langhorne Smith, President
Susan Hatch,
Vice President
Christopher Allen, Treasurer
James Mitchell,
Secretary
Cathy Dove Adams
Sara Babbidge
Darrell Crate
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Archibald Gillies
Devens Hamlen
Edward Lawrence
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David Pendleton
Shar Piper
Beverley Rogers
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Evan Schmidt
Sue Stafford |
~ Advisory Council ~
Elisabeth Allen
H. Day Brigham, Jr.
Lucy Burr
Andrew Cabot
Jonathan Cohen
Shey Conover
John Gardner
Thomas Gill, Jr. |
Karen Grindle
Margery Hamlen
Ann Harrison
Jewell Hausmann
James D. Houghton
Laura Houle
Philo Hutcheson
Gladstone Jones, III |
Sandra Kramer
Charles Leighton
Robert Luxembourg
Nigel MacEwan
Linda Mahan
Deborah McNeil
Stephen Phillips
Julie Reidy |
Alice Rogers
William Rosenberg
William Smith
Landon Thomas
Frances Train
Daniel Tutor
Virginia Valentine
William Warren |
~ Staff ~
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Stephen Miller
Executive Director
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Aaron Megquier
Assistant Director
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Steve Miller, one of Islesboro Islands Trust's founders, became Executive Director in 1985 and has filled that position since. A life-long resident of Maine, Steve spends time in his family garden and exploring Islesboro's beaches and woodlands when he isn't otherwise engaged in IIT conservation. |
Aaron Megquier is a native of Hampden, Maine, and joined Islesboro Islands Trust in 2005 as the organization's first Assistant Director. His responsibilities include preserve and easement stewardship, environmental education, conservation science, and general administration. He studied biology at Colby College, and also holds a Master's degree in conservation biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Aaron lives in Camden and spends his free time camping, canoeing, backpacking, cross-country skiing, gardening, traveling, and running a small art business with his wife Ashley. |
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