Jessica Richards has joined the Midcoast Conservancy staff through a position with the Maine Conservation Corps, whose mission is to “protect and manage the natural and cultural resources under our care in order to offer a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities and provide environmental and economic benefits for present and future generations.”

Richards will spend a year of service as an environmental steward, working with volunteers to help improve and maintain the conservancy’s trails and help with water quality monitoring on the Sheepscot River and Damariscotta Lake. 

Richards grew up in Orono and graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science degree in environmental sustainability, health and safety. She then went on to complete 10 months of service with the Student Conservation Association Massachusetts AmeriCorps program in Hawley, Massachusetts. During her service, she taught environmental education in local elementary schools, had a conservation placement with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and completed high-priority conservation projects around Massachusetts during the summer. She went on to build trails for the Appalachian Mountain Club as a fall trail crew leader in Greenville.

Richards said of her new position, “I am most looking forward to participating in conservation projects in my beloved home state as well as learning from and collaborating with members of Midcoast Conservancy and the surrounding community.” Environmental stewards are charged with bringing “enthusiasm, expertise and focused effort toward creating and improving sustainable recreational trails, planning conservation projects as well as developing, training and sustaining a community volunteer base.” Midcoast Conservancy is confident that Richards brings those skills and more to her work with the organization.

For more information about the MCC Land Steward program, go to www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/get_involved/conservation_corps/.