[{"geoNavTitle":"Botswana","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/botswana/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Gabon","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["gab"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/gabon/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Kenya","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["ken"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/kenya/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Namibia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["nam"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/namibia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Seychelles","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["syc"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/seychelles/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"South Africa","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["zaf"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/south-africa/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Tanzania","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["tza"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/tanzania/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Zambia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["zmb"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/zambia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Australia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["aus"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/australia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"China","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["chn"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/china/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Hong Kong","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["hkg"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/hong-kong/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Indonesia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/indonesia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Mongolia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["mng"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/mongolia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Myanmar","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["mmr"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/myanmar/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"New Zealand","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["nzl"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/new-zealand/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"The Pacific Islands","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/the-pacific-islands/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Canada","geoLocationCountryCode":["can"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/canada/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Bahamas","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["bhs"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/bahamas/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Cuba","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["cub"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/cuba/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Dominican Republic","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["dom"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/dominican-republic/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Eastern Caribbean","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/eastern-caribbean/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Haiti","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/haiti/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Jamaica","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["jam"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/jamaica/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Puerto Rico","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/puerto-rico/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Virgin Islands","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["vir"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/caribbean/virgin-islands/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Europe","geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/europe/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"India","geoLocationCountryCode":["ind"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/india/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Argentina","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["arg"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/argentina/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Belize","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["blz"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/belize/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Bolivia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["bol"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/bolivia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Brazil","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["bra"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/brazil/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Chile","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["chl"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/chile/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Colombia","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["col"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/colombia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Costa Rica","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["cri"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/costa-rica/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Ecuador","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["ecu"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/ecuador/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"El Salvador ","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":[],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/el-salvador/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Guatemala","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["gtm"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/guatemala/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Honduras","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["hnd"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/honduras/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Mexico","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["mex"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/mexico/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Nicargua","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["nic"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/nicaragua/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Panama","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["pan"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/panama/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Peru","geoLocationStateCode":[],"geoLocationCountryCode":["per"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/peru/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Alabama","geoLocationStateCode":["al"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/alabama/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Alaska","geoLocationStateCode":["ak"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/alaska/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Arizona","geoLocationStateCode":["az"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/arizona/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Arkansas","geoLocationStateCode":["ar"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/arkansas/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"California","geoLocationStateCode":["ca"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/california/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Colorado","geoLocationStateCode":["co"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/colorado/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Connecticut","geoLocationStateCode":["ct"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/connecticut/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Delaware","geoLocationStateCode":["de"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/delaware/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Florida","geoLocationStateCode":["fl"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/florida/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Georgia","geoLocationStateCode":["ga"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/georgia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Hawaii","geoLocationStateCode":["hi"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/hawaii/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Idaho","geoLocationStateCode":["id"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/idaho/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Illinois","geoLocationStateCode":["il"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/illinois/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Indiana","geoLocationStateCode":["in"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/indiana/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Iowa","geoLocationStateCode":["ia"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/iowa/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Kansas","geoLocationStateCode":["ks"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/kansas/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Kentucky","geoLocationStateCode":["ky"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/kentucky/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Louisiana","geoLocationStateCode":["la"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/louisiana/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Maine","geoLocationStateCode":["me"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/maine/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Maryland","geoLocationStateCode":["md","dc"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/maryland-dc/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Massachusetts","geoLocationStateCode":["ma"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/massachusetts/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Michigan","geoLocationStateCode":["mi"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/michigan/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Minnesota","geoLocationStateCode":["mn"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/minnesota/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Mississippi","geoLocationStateCode":["la"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/mississippi/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Missouri","geoLocationStateCode":["mo"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/missouri/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Montana","geoLocationStateCode":["mt"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/montana/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Nebraska","geoLocationStateCode":["ne"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/nebraska/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Nevada","geoLocationStateCode":["nv"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/nevada/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"New Hampshire","geoLocationStateCode":["nh"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-hampshire/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"New Jersey","geoLocationStateCode":["nj"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-jersey/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"New Mexico","geoLocationStateCode":["nm"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-mexico/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"New York","geoLocationStateCode":["ny"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-york/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"North Carolina","geoLocationStateCode":["nc"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/north-carolina/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"North Dakota","geoLocationStateCode":["nd"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/north-dakota/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Ohio","geoLocationStateCode":["oh"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ohio/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Oklahoma","geoLocationStateCode":["ok"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/oklahoma/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Oregon","geoLocationStateCode":["or"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/oregon/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Pennsylvania","geoLocationStateCode":["pa"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/pennsylvania/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Rhode Island","geoLocationStateCode":["ri"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/rhode-island/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"South Carolina","geoLocationStateCode":["sc"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/south-carolina/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"South Dakota","geoLocationStateCode":["sd"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/south-dakota/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Tennessee","geoLocationStateCode":["tn"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/tennessee/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Texas","geoLocationStateCode":["tx"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/texas/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Utah","geoLocationStateCode":["ut"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/utah/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Vermont","geoLocationStateCode":["vt"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/vermont/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Virginia","geoLocationStateCode":["va"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Washington","geoLocationStateCode":["wa"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/washington/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"West Virginia","geoLocationStateCode":["wv"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/west-virginia/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Wisconsin","geoLocationStateCode":["wi"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/wisconsin/","geoNavTarget":"_self"},{"geoNavTitle":"Wyoming","geoLocationStateCode":["wy"],"geoLocationCountryCode":["usa"],"geoNavLink":"https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/wyoming/","geoNavTarget":"_self"}]

English

View of Katahdin from Penobscot River in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area — Katahdin in Winter View of Katahdin from Penobscot River in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area © Bill Patterson/TNC

The Nature Conservancy in Maine

Contact Us

Phone: 207-729-5181
Email: naturemaine@tnc.org
Follow

Make a Difference in Maine

With your help, we have conserved over 1.7 million acres in Maine. Your support protects wildlife and their habitats, bolsters sustainable nature-based economies and inspires climate action. Please join us to ensure that Maine's natural legacy endures for future generations.

Support TNC in Maine

Latest News

VIEW ALL

Samantha Horn descends a rocky slope in the Traveler Range in Baxter State Park.

Feature

I Am a Scientist

Maine's Director of Science Samantha Horn talks about her early experiences in a field once thought to be too difficult and dangerous for women.

By Samantha Horn

Aerial view of the Maine coast.

Project Overview

Helping Maine's Communities Prepare for Sea-Level Rise

A new tool tells first-responders and planners which streets will flood and and where vulnerable citizens might lose access to help.

Panoramic view of Mt. Katahdin from the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area.

Partnerships

Part of the Community

Find out how we are working with partners in the Katahdin region to make a difference for people and nature.

Jon Bailey directs his team during controlled burn.

Feature

A Burning Need for Conservation

Managing Southern Maine preserves with fire for habitat and safety.

Video

Saving the St. John

Twenty years ago, a landmark effort proved that a dedicated group of caring, resourceful and generous people can accomplish conservation at a scale never thought possible before.

See the Places We Protect in Your Community

TNC has protected over 1.7 million acres in Maine, which benefit wildlife, protect unique habitats, encourage nature-based recreation, and support sustainable industries.

Explore

Opportunity

Volunteer With Us

Interested in helping preserve nature in your community? We can use your help at The Nature Conservancy in Maine!

Sign Up

Explore Our Strategic Plan for Maine

We're working hard to protect the lands and waters on which we all depend. Learn how your support makes a big difference for people and nature—in Maine and around the world.

Read Our Plan

View along the rocky shoreline on the Maine coast — Indian Point Blagden Preserve: View along the rocky shoreline on the Maine coast © Ian Patterson