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Who becomes a conservationist? What compels a person to focus on the environment? Whatever the motivation, our world needs stories like these more than ever. The profiles and Q&As in this section represent a small sample of The Nature Conservancy staff, trustees and partners who make our work possible in Maine. We hope you’ll be inspired by these stories, which are brought to life through photo slideshows and videos from the field.
Rachel Carson reading in the woods near her home. © Alfred Eisenstaedt/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Rachel Louise Carson was an American marine biologist and nature writer whose work is credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Learn more about her involvement with The Nature Conservancy.
Inspired by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, Cori Kahn strives to carry out part of that vision through her work at the Conservancy. Learn more about her role.
"It's often people I don't know by name who inspire me the most." See how Maine's senior policy advisor for federal government affairs gives voice to people and nature.
Tom Abello, the Conservancy's senior policy advisor for state government affairs in Maine, discusses the projects that get him excited as a conservationist.
As director of strategic partnerships in Maine, Alex Mas knows that conservation success is based on the strength of relationships.
June 2008 - McIntosh County, Georgia. Students from the University of Georgia monitor and tag Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhinchus and Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Altamaha River near Darien. The Conservancy is working with UGA to monitor the shortnose population here, which has been to the brink of extinction because of dams, pollution and over-harvesting. © Erika Nortemann
The Penobscot River’s restoration will benefit migratory fish, riverfront communities and cultural traditions. The Conservancy’s Colin Apse talks about why it also serves as a model for sustainable freshwater management in the developing world.
Josh Royte talks about experiences that have given him a deep respect for the land and a commitment to restoring it.
Geoff Smith and a team of conservationists are trying to figure out how to keep things working in one very large and important marine system: The Gulf of Maine.
Tom Rumpf learned about the interdependence of people and nature at an early age. Today, as associate state director of Maine, he works as to share his ideals with others. Learn more about his commitment.
On a working trip to support the Indonesia program. © On a working trip to support the Indonesia program.
From learning about fire in Tasmania to dodging fish bombs in Indonesia, Will Brune has had some pretty thrilling experiences in nature. But it is his work with landowners in Maine that he finds most rewarding. Learn why he thinks protecting land is one of the best things people can do for nature.
Roger Milliken, Jr. \ chairman of The Nature Conservancy's board of directors since October 2008, has been a Conservancy trustee in Maine since 1996. He is also president of the Baskahegan Company, which owns and manages 100,000 acres of FSC-certified forestland in eastern Maine. Learn more
Sailboats in beautiful Caribbean waters offshore Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. © Jonathan Kerr/The Nature Conservancy
Maine trustee Ford Reiche and his wife Karen embarked on the first of what will be an annual seaward voyage from their home in Southern Maine to the Bahamas. Learn more about their commitment to nature and their involvement with the Conservancy.
When Barbara Vickery first came to the Conservancy in 1983, she was responsible for science and stewardship at 75 preserves across the state. Twenty-five years later, threats like climate change have altered the playing field. Learn more about her work to help Maine adapt in the face of global challenges.
Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories
Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos