Camden — Coastal Mountains Land Trust recently welcomed four new community leaders to its board of directors, to help oversee the land trust’s land conservation program. Courtney Collins, Jo Geddis, Nick Ruffin, and Doug Sensenig have joined the volunteer group.

Scott Dickerson, executive director of the land trust, affirmed, “There is no better way to ensure the health of this organization, and to safeguard the biodiversity, water, land and forest resources that the land trust protects, than building a great board of directors. I am confident that this group will guide the land trust forward with great consideration and diligence.”

The new board members come from towns throughout the land trust's service region, which covers the west side of Penobscot Bay.

Courtney Collins, of Morrill and Belfast, and previous recipient of the land trust's annual Zwartjes Volunteer Award, joined the board in October:

“It’s been a natural progression for me, from donating two conservation easements on Mixer Pond in Morrill in my husband’s memory, to relocating to Maine permanently and serving on the board. I look forward to the good work ahead of us.”

Doug Sensenig, of Camden, previously served as the board president until leaving Maine for several years to work as executive director of the Hawaii Island Land Trust and travel with his family. Upon his return, he has assumed the board vice president position: “It’s an honor to serve again, working together to protect important places forever.”

Jo Geddis, branch manager of Bangor Savings Bank in Camden, joins the board after serving on its development committee: “Since moving back to Maine to raise a family, I’ve come to appreciate outdoor spaces even more, and want to assist in the preservation and conservation of these spaces for future generations.”

While Nick Ruffin's primary residence is in Virginia, he and his wife have spent enough time enjoying their home in Rockport to feel a strong connection to the area: “My wife and I have been coming to Rockport for nine years to enjoy the natural beauty of the Midcoast and Penobscot Bay; I’m interested in working to see that that natural beauty is preserved.”

The four join the current board of directors which includes Jim Krosschell of Owls Head, president; Jay Freedman of Camden, treasurer; Ingrid Warren of Camden, secretary; as well as Brad Hennemuth of Lincolnville, Nancy Hughes of Camden, Gray Payne of Camden, and Lys McLaughlin Pike of Lincolnville.

To learn more about the land trust or its conservation work, visit coastalmountains.org or call 236-7091.