Coastal Mountains Land Trust Announces New Executive Director

Coastal Mountains Land Trust announces the selection of Ian Stewart as its next Executive Director. Stewart, who has directed the Land Trust’s stewardship program for the past 13 years, was chosen to lead the Land Trust based upon his deep understanding of how the organization operates, his commitment to being strategic, and his long-standing ties with the community. Stewart will begin his role as Executive Director on August 1^st and in the interim will work to ensure a smooth transition with current Director, Doug Sensenig who is moving with his family to Hawaii.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ian to this new position and look forward to bringing his energy, enthusiasm and strategic mind to be on the many exciting projects before us,” said Jim Kroschell, President of the Land Trust’s Board. “Ian has demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation and this community, and is the right person to lead the organization moving forward.”

A native of Seattle, Stewart originally came to Maine to attend Bowdoin College. He joined Coastal Mountains Land Trust shortly after completing a Master’s in Forestry at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2002. During his time with the Land Trust, he has overseen the management of the Land Trust’s rapidly expanding Preserve system and conservation easement stewardship program. In his time with the organization, the Land Trust has conserved more than 6,000 acres of land. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to engaging individuals and community groups in the work of the Land Trust. Stewart has greatly expanded the scale and impact of the organization’s volunteer program. He lives in Appleton with his wife Jennifer and two daughters.

“We have an incredible opportunity to ensure that the landscape around us, which in so many ways defines who we are and how we feel about our community, is cared for forever. As a Land Trust, we need to continue to protect land to serve as habitat for wild things, to provide open space for people to explore, and to ensure that our sense of place continues to be as strong as it is today,” said Stewart. “I am looking forward to continuing to engage people in the real and positive work of taking care of land in this place we love.”

Coastal Mountains Land Trust has worked since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay. The Land Trust has protected over 9,740 acres to date. For more information about the organization and opportunities to become involved, please call (207) 236-7091 or visitwww.coastalmountains.org.

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