Board
| Pam Alley | |
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Pam Alley is a member of the Conway family, long time residents of Vinalhaven. She has been active in the community for years with service on the Sewer and Water Committees and is currently on the Library Board of Trustees as well as a member of the tuneful Granite Chicks. Pam enjoys hiking on the island trails and snow shoeing in the winter. She is finding that being a VLT Board member is quite satisfying so "I can explain to my friends and neighbors in a knowledgeable way what the VLT stands for. As a native islander and lover of nature, I truly want to help in conserving the beauty of my island." |
Jim Boone | |
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Jim Boone is a 20 year summer resident and, since retiring as a High School Counselor, has been spending half the year on Vinalhaven. Jim became involved in the Land Trust through attending Walks and Talks and became a committee member before joining the Board in 2007. Having a strong interest in historical issues as well as his love for the land on Vinalhaven, Jim has, as Chair of the Walks and Talks Committee, introduced programs that include Vinalhaven’s historical spaces, feeling they all are a part of that which makes Vinalhaven such a special place. Jim says, “Vinalhaven is rich in natural beauty and it is important to understand that the natural beauty is enhanced by understanding that people and the man-made environment are a part of the whole that we love so much. Presenting the stories of the people and places within the context of the natural environment makes the Vinalhaven story even richer”. |
Dick Byrd | |
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"My Grandparents, Leverett and Alice Saltonstall, loved going up Perry’s Creek at high tide and I was with them in the late 70s when they talked about putting development restrictions on a long piece of the property they owned on the north side. It came to my uncle, Bill Saltonstall, my mother, Emily Byrd and my cousins George Lewis and Lee and Eleanor Campbell and especially the Smith family to 'make it happen'. I believe that now all of the shore frontage on this quiet cove is protected. There are long hiking trails on both sides and it is really a very special place. One of my brothers and I hiked almost all of the VLT trails last summer when there was not enough wind to go sailing, and we were amazed at the work theland trust has done. So, in short, I am happy to be on board!" |
Bob Candage | |
Peggy Ewing | |
| My grandfather first came to Vinalhaven (and North Haven) in 1882, struck by the beauty and industry of the two islands. As a result, five generations of Howe/Ewing/ Howards have summered here. The preservation of the land and waterfront has always been a concern, as well as supporting the endeavors of those who live here year round. Serving as a Board member allows me to learn more about conservation, to promote VLT's programs and to think carefully about the future of this island. It is an honor to be part of an organization which takes this responsibility seriously. | |
Karen Gates | |
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Karen Gates' family has been a part of the North Haven/Vinalhaven community for three generations. She is a veterinarian and avid rider. She practices veterinary medicine in Yardley, PA and in recent years has reduced her practice to nine months so she can spend the summers on Vinalhaven. She is also very active in the Island Sail program, having run it for quite a few summers. In Karen's words, "I am thrilled to join VLT in its efforts to preserve the land on and around Vinalhaven Island. Having watched suburbia engulf my once rural winter home, I feel privileged to help avoid the same demise on this unique piece of the planet. I feel that Vinalhaven Land Trust and the community of Vinalhaven are shining examples of how to move forward in modern times while still maintaining the aspects of our world that we consider so precious." |
Marian Grogan | |
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Bruce Hopkins | |
| Bruce Hopkins has been a 25 year seasonal resident, and moved permanently to Vinalhaven after retiring from the corporate world. "I have been fortunate to have visited many parts of the world through both the military and working life, and I've felt since my first visit here many years ago, that this island is truly one of the most uniquely beautiful places on this planet. While change is inevitable, we can embrace change through active stewardship and educational appreciation of this very special place to insure it remains unique forever. I look forward toward working with the very active, dedicated and hard working members of the Land Trust." | |
Ed Hoyt, Treasurer | |
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Ed Hoyt has been a summer resident since 1995, is a retired banker and has been interested in environmental questions for many years. He has supported Scenic Hudson and Environmental Advocates in New York, organizations interested in improving New York State's policies regarding the river, urban sprawl, climate change, and related issues. He was also active for over 30 years in a museum in Cornwall-on-Hudson which teaches children about the environment. VLT's goals and mission meshed perfectly with Ed's interests. |
Karol Kucinski | |
| Karol Kucinski moved to Vinalhaven in 1981, as the history teacher for grades 7-12. He has been active in a variety of Town affairs over the years, especially the Zoning Board of Appeals and Town Band. In his youth he was an avid fly fisherman and hiker. Karol feels VLT is a wonderful organization dedicated to preserving Vinalhaven's ecology and natural heritage. | |
Jonathan Labaree | |
| Jonathan Labaree is a long-time summer resident, who has been working in the conservation field for many years. His most recent job was as Director of Development for Maine Coast Heritage Trust. He is currently Sector Initiative Program Director for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Jonathan is excited "to be joining the VLT Board and following in my mother's footsteps.” (Jonathan's mother, Linda Labaree was one of the founders of VLT, and a board member for many years.) “Vinalhaven's coves, islands, ledges, and people have held a special place in my heart for my entire life. It's a great honor to serve on the Board and strengthen my connection to this remarkable place and the people who love it as much as I do." | |
Susie Lawrence, President | |
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Susie Lawrence has been a seasonal resident for almost 20 years happily on the shores of Calderwood Neck with her family. She has made the trip from New York City, Beijing and now from Chestnut Hill outside of Boston. In those places she worked with elementary school children either as a teacher or as a volunteer at the board level. On Vinalhaven she lives next to the Eleanor L Campbell Preserve and across from Perry Creek. "Not a day goes by when I don't appreciate the preservation of those beautiful spaces". |
Curly Lieber | |
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Curly and her husband, Sandy Lieber, spend over 5 months on the island each year. Sandy's mother, Bodine Lamont, was well known for being an early advocate of conservation on Vinalhaven, in Maine, and elsewhere. When not on island the Liebers live in Lyme, CT, which also has a very active land trust. Curly serves on several nonprofit boards there, and for the past 12 years she has been a horticultural consultant to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund at Pocantico Hills, New York, with responsibility for the gardens at "Kykuit". |
Steve Rosen | |
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Steve is a life-long fisherman and a Navy veteran. He has served on a variety of boards, including the Lobsterman’s Co-op and ICMS, in addition to previous time on the VLT board in the 1980’s and was involved in the first land trust purchase on Ambrust Hill. Steve has always strongly believed in the importance of preserving open spaces to ensure the quality of life for future generations. He is active in lobster and halibut research with the state, and has taken part in the International Lobster Exchange program between Maine and Australia as well. Steve lives in Vinalhaven with his wife Alice, who teaches art at North Haven School. His daughter, Emma, is a senior at Bowdoin College and son, Sam, is a sophomore at the College of the Atlantic. |
Elizabeth Swain, Vice-President | |
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Elizabeth Swain first set foot on Vinalhaven in 1986, and has been setting out along VLT's extensive trail system ever since. She is returning to the board after being term-limited off in 2009. "Why would I sign up for another tour of duty? Because VLT is such an important part of this community, helping protect habitat and public access to the traditional places islanders and seasonal residents have long enjoyed." She is a committed volunteer on the Walks & Talks committee, and enjoys learning something new on the weekend walks all summer. Trained as a forester, Elizabeth is part of a public affairs and environmental consulting firm in Portland. She also serves on the Board of Maine Huts & Trails, and chaired the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission. When not in Old Harbor, she lives in Pownal, Maine. |
Alison Thibault | |
Patience Trainor | |
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Patience Trainor and her husband, Patrick, long time summer residents, have recently moved to Vinalhaven to live here year round. She has been a teacher in the North Andover school system and a physical therapist. She will continue her physical therapy work here. Patience is also a dedicated environmentalist and is "excited about being a part of a community of people whose mission is to preserve and protect the beauty and uniqueness of Vinalhaven." |
Thena Webster, Secretary | |
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A small-scale farmer, forager and photographer, Marthena makes her home on Vinalhaven. Paralleling VLT’s mission, her interest and responsibility lies in sustainable land use practices. |
