Gary Best of Whitefield and Sharon Miller of Sheepscot have been added as board members of the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association (SVCA).

Best's career has been with what is now called the Division of Parks and Public Lands in the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry where he currently is the assistant regional manager of the Southern Region of Maine State Parks, which oversees operation and maintenance of 23 state parks and historic sites.

Best is currently leading a team to expand this program to include a GeoTour (geocaching challenge) that will begin May 18.

“I place a real value on connecting kids with the outdoors, with the rivers and trails right in our own back yards,” Best said. “I strongly believe experience with the outdoors can be an important building block in a person's development ….  And what could be better than working in my local area to help kids get this experience?”

Miller has worked at Mid-Coast Hospital since 1991. She has served as an adult leader at the Morris Farm in Wiscasset and also teaches yoga at Wicket Good Yoga in Wiscasset.

Miller is a frequent volunteer, in particular in the SVCA Water Quality Monitoring Program. Miller was first introduced to SVCA’s volunteer opportunities when she attended the Midcoast Stewards Program several years ago.

Miller will continue to co-chair the Water Quality Monitoring program with her husband, David. Miller said she views volunteer work for SVCA as a way to give back to the community, but admits she's also in it “because it's just plain fun.”

For more information about the Midcoast Stewards Program (accepting applicants in Spring 2014), see the Damariscotta River Association website at www.damariscottariver.org/Education.html or call 207-563-1393.