Executive Committee
Chair – Kristin DeBoer, Kestrel Land Trust
Vice Chair – vacant
Treasurer – Alisha Milardo, Connecticut Audubon Society
Secretary – Mary Pelletier, Park Watershed
Committee Chairs
Advocacy – vacant
Recreation and Education – Dan Augustino, Springfield Museums
Conte Urban Partnership - Mary Pelletier, Park Watershed
State Representatives
Vermont – Chris Campany, Windham Regional Commission
New Hampshire – David Govatski, Friends of Pondicherry, Friends of Nulhegan
Connecticut - Kirsten Martin, University of Saint Joseph
Staff
Director - Markelle Smith, Mass Audubon
Committees and Working Groups
The work of the Friends is done through short-term working groups, focused on specific timebound initiatives and through the work of standing committees.
Committees:
Conte Urban Partnership (CUP)
Our CUP work is focused on enhancing the presence of the Friends and the Refuge in urban areas in the Connecticut River Watershed. CUP promotes land conservation, restoration, education, trail and other project opportunities particularly in and around Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT. We seek to remedy inequities in access to nature, enhancing transportation options for residents of cities in our Watershed.
Advocacy
Our members make annual trips to Washington D.C. and host local field trips to inform and educate our congressional representatives about the importance of the Connecticut River Watershed. We prepare an annual Look Book highlighting critical land conservation, restoration, trail and stewardship project opportunities in all four watershed states. The Advocacy committee is also responsible for tracking legislation important to the watershed and ensuring the membership is aware of federal funding opportunities. In addition to federal funding opportunities, we are also working to increase state funding for open space and trails in underserved communities.
Recreation and Education
Our members are working on making the river accessible for all and bringing Watershed resources to Watershed communities. We have made great progress on the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail by establishing several new campsites in Massachusetts and Connecticut. We are also working to establish additional Conte Corners at area museums.
Working Groups:
Legislative Working Group
The Friends are currently working to advance the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA): legislation to create a dedicated funding stream to leverage state, local, and private investments in nonregulatory conservation, restoration, education and recreation efforts in the watershed. The CRWPA is modeled on successful partnerships enabled by federal legislation via the Chesapeake WILD Act (2020), and the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (2015). It will enhance coordination among federal agencies and state, regional, tribal, and local public and private partners. The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of public and private organizations throughout New England who seek to diversify the organizations and sources of funding for programming within the Watershed. This collaborative effort will help promote access to the Watershed’s public spaces, particularly for excluded and marginalized communities. To learn more or join our effort please contact us at friendsofconte@gmail.com
Executive Committee Membership Application Form
FOC Executive Committee members are expected to:
Participate in monthly conference calls and quarterly in-person or virtual meetings of the Friends. Alternates may be designated.
Serve on standing committees and ad hoc working groups as appropriate.
Provide guidance and input to the Friends annual strategic goal setting and work planning.
Approve membership and changes to the Executive Committee and Friends of Conte staff as needed.
The Friends are committed to an Executive Committee that is diverse in race/ethnicity; geographical representation; organization size and expertise among our members. We welcome members with a can-do, results-oriented style who have a passion for working inclusively to promote the health of the Connecticut River Watershed and the communities that live in and are served by it.
Friends of Conte member organizations and individual representatives interested in serving on the Executive Committee should complete this form. Once submitted, applications will be forwarded and reviewed by the current Executive Committee.
Applications for the Executive Committee are not currently being accepted. Please reach out to friendsofconte@gmail.com to express interest.