Love of Place

From Kate Stookey, Maine Coast Heritage Trust President and CEO

“[…] to care for this land and the lives and livelihoods it supports. For me, that’s what conservation is all about.”

My first six months at Maine Coast Heritage Trust have flown by, and I continue to be impressed and inspired by the dedication, expertise, and teamwork I see among my colleagues and within our broader network of partners and supporters.

At any given time, MCHT staff are working on dozens of projects around the state. Each one involves people from up and down the coast who represent a wide range of professional backgrounds, political persuasions, and life experiences, all coming together in support of a shared goal—like creating an accessible trail, protecting and restoring marshes, or guaranteeing permanent public access to a stunning Maine island. Every day at MCHT, I witness this love of place for Maine and the collaboration that it engenders.

I fell in love with Maine as a kid growing up in Blue Hill, exploring, hiking, camping, and often seeking serenity in the woods and along the rocky shorelines of the peninsula and coastal islands. This place, and the people who also call this place home, made me who I am and instilled in me a desire to care for this land and the lives and livelihoods it supports. For me, that’s what conservation is all about.

It is a privilege to be a part of this collective effort to protect and care for this place we love so much. I look forward to meeting more of you, hearing your thoughts and ideas, and experiencing how you are bringing your own unique offerings to this work. I still have much to learn, and, as always, I welcome your questions, suggestions, and feedback.

Please feel free to be in touch at .