Ian Stewart
Executive Director
Ian (he/him/his) is responsible for the strategic vision for fulfilling the Land Trust’s mission, and he oversees all of our programs and functions. He joined the organization in 2002 and led its stewardship program through mid-2015, when he became the organization’s third Executive Director. Prior to joining the Land Trust, Ian received a BA from Bowdoin College and then earned a master’s degree in Forestry at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. A native of Seattle, Ian first came to Maine to study biology and Latin American Studies at Bowdoin College. He lives in Appleton with his wife and two daughters. Email Ian.
Favorite Preserve
Hodson Preserve
Ryan Gates
Stewardship Program Director
Ryan oversees our stewardship program that takes care of 13,000 acres of conserved land. He focuses on managing large projects like the Round the Mountain Trail. Ryan came to Maine from Connecticut in 1998 when he chose to attend Unity College. After working in different parts of the state, he settled on the Midcoast in 2004. He worked as the Farm Operations Manager at nearby Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Aldermere Farm in Rockport, before he started at the Land Trust in 2018. Email Ryan.
Favorite Conservation Quote
“That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics” — Aldo Leopold
Polly Jones
Operations & Finance Director
Polly (she/her) ensures everything at the Land Trust runs smoothly, managing the office, maintaining our financials, running our website and calendars, and so much more. As membership coordinator, Polly organizes our Arts on the Hill program, writes our eNews, boosts our membership, and works on so many of our great events with Leah and Tempe. Polly grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Wisconsin. Most of her career has been spent working in the roller coaster world of nonprofits, joining the Land Trust in 2016. Polly moved to Camden 25 years ago from Portland, Oregon – trading rain for snow – where she still lives with her husband, and near her daughters and grandchildren. Polly loves all the four-season outdoor activities Maine has to offer. Email Polly.
Favorite Preserve
Bald Mountain Preserve.
Tempe Landi
Development Director
Tempe (she/her) powers our development program, ensuring all Land Trust programs are well funded and robust. In addition, she crafts our newsletter, thank you letters, and much more with skill. Tempe started at the Land Trust in 2021, after having worked in a variety of fundraising capacities at small liberal arts colleges. A native of New Jersey, Landi attended William Smith College in Geneva, NY and completed her master’s degree at the University of Rochester. Home to family and many close connections, she has spent a significant amount of time in the Mid-coast region and has a deep appreciation for the many trails and preserves protected by the Land Trust. Tempe lives in Camden with her husband and son. Email Tempe.
Favorite Preserve
Heather Rogers
Land Protection Program Director
As Land Protection Program Director, Heather (she/her) has the privilege of working with landowners to conserve their property. Heather rejoined the staff in 2018, having previously worked for the Land Trust from 2004-2008 in the same role. She has a master’s degree in Community Planning with a focus on Land Use from the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Policy. Previously she worked for Sudbury Valley Trustees in Massachusetts and the City of San Diego’s Conservation Planning Initiative. After living for several years in New Hampshire, she returned to Maine and the Land Trust. She lives in Camden with her husband, son, dog, and three cats. Email Heather.
Favorite Preserve
Marsh Meadow in Knox
Jack Shaida
Stewardship and Land Protection Manager
Jack manages our Waldo County Preserves, from the Ducktrap River to Prospect, and works with Heather to conserve new property, focusing on projects in our northern service region. Jack grew up in New York and attended College of the Atlantic, graduating in 2018 with a degree in Human Ecology. Right after, Jack moved down the coast returning to the Land Trust (where he previously interned) to work a seasonal job. Jack stuck around, working in various positions before sliding into his current role in 2020. Jack lives in Appleton with his partner and dog. Email Jack.
Favorite Preserve
Ducktrap River Preserve
Leah Trommer
Learning Landscapes & Outreach Director
Leah (they/them and she/her) leads our free, public events and Learning Landscapes, our multifaceted outdoor education program. She has twenty years of experience leading experiential ecology programming, has taught Montessori, and worked for OUT Maine, supporting young people and training educators to provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth. She grew up adventuring on publicly accessible land in western Maine, including hiking, paddling, and Nordic skiing. Her interests have not changed from childhood, yet have expanded to include bicycle trekking, dance, and restorative practices. Email Leah.
Favorite Preserve
Lee Tsairis
Development Assistant
Lee (they/them) provides administrative support for Coastal Mountain’s membership program, the Executive Director, Development Director, and the Board of Directors. Lee grew up in York, Maine and attended Connecticut College, graduating in 2014 with a B.A. in American Studies. They moved to Bozeman, Montana shortly after and have spent the past 11 years exploring the mountains of the northwest, attending farrier school, and serving on the Board of a local LGBTQIA+ nonprofit. For the last six years, Lee has worked in business operations and development for American Prairie Foundation, a conservation and rewilding project in Montana. They are very excited to return to their home state of Maine and look forward to bringing their passion for conservation and recreation to Coastal Mountains Land Trust. A lover of all things outdoors, Lee spends their time exploring local trails and watering holes with their dogs. Email Lee.
Zack Fallon
Seasonal Trail Steward
A seasoned seasonal, Zack is a former whitewater raft guide in West Virginia and a park ranger in Maine and Vermont. He’s spent his past 5 winters in the Carrabassett Valley, riding the snow at Sugarloaf.
Landen Parks
Pendleton Stewardship Intern
Landen is a rising senior at Maine Maritime Academy studying marine biology and small vessel operations. She was born and raised in Maine and loves exploring with her dog, fishing, and learning about local wildlife.
Neshamah Stearns (she/her)
Seasonal Community Engagement Assistant
Neshamah grew up in the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts where she became instilled with her love of the natural world. She studied at Unity College where she received a dual B.S. in Adventure-Based Environmental Education and Adventure Therapy. Neshamah has worked for the Chewonki Foundation, Outward Bound, and teaches at Children’s House Montessori. Neshamah loves to canoe, sea kayak, and lay in the woods admiring moss with a book.
