The Nature Conservancy’s Geoff Smith Honored with Visionary Award from Gulf of Maine Council
Media Contacts
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Jeremy Cluchey
The Nature Conservancy in Maine
Phone: (207) 607-4843
Email: jeremy.cluchey@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Maine is proud to share that Marine Program Manager Geoff Smith has been recognized with a Visionary Award from the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, honoring his nearly two decades of leadership, innovation and dedication to ocean conservation across the region.
The Visionary Awards recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding innovation, creativity and commitment to protecting natural resources within the Gulf of Maine. Smith was among a group of international awardees honored during a ceremony held May 27, 2026, in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, recognizing contributions from across the United States and Canada to the health and sustainability of the Gulf of Maine watershed.
As leader of TNC’s marine conservation program in Maine for nearly 20 years, Smith has helped advance a collaborative, science-based approach to ocean management—working closely with fishermen, researchers and policymakers to improve the health of marine ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities.
Kate Dempsey, state director for TNC in Maine, emphasized that Smith’s work reflects the long-term vision, persistence and partnership-building required to achieve lasting conservation outcomes. “His tireless and dedicated work has resulted in trusted partnerships with the fishing community, advancements in marine science innovation, and improved ocean and coastal policies at the state, regional and national levels.”
One of his notable contributions includes helping to spearhead TNC’s permit banking initiative, which supports continued access to groundfishing opportunities while creating space to test new gear technologies and improve data collection. His efforts have also supported better integration of climate data and fishermen’s on-the-water observations into fisheries science and management.
In addition to his work in Maine, Smith contributes to broader fisheries leadership efforts, including participation in regional and international forums focused on sustainable ocean management.
The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, established in 1989 by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, works to foster collaboration and maintain environmental quality across the Gulf of Maine watershed to support sustainable resource use for current and future generations.
Geoff has been, and continues to be, an advocate for the Gulf of Maine and the people who depend on its health. This recognition reflects not only his individual contributions, but the power of partnership-driven conservation.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.