Damariscotta River Association’s (DRA) Board President Bruce Lutsk announced the DRA has added three new trustees to the board. Robert Barkalow, Peter McKinley and Joel Russ were all nominated and elected, joining 15 current trustees, namely Tom Arter, Rebecca Brown, William Coyne, Susan Dale, James Donovan, Joseph Guttentag, Robert Hunold, Emily MacKenzie, Alden McFarland, Carolyn McKeon, Normand Saucier, Edward Seidel, Tenley Seiders, and Priscilla Ulin in addition to Lutsk.

“Our new trustees have hit the ground running,” said Lutsk, “and already are thoroughly involved in the work of our board. This is a very exciting time for the DRA and we are thrilled to have such accomplished individuals as new trustees.”

It was also announced that Christine Preston has left the board with distinction after serving her maximum allowable two three-year terms. Preston had served as vice president, oversaw the children's garden, helped to lead the effort to conserve the Phillip's Farm, and is still an avid oyster gardener in the Oyster Gardening program at DRA.

“Christine has contributed so much to the spirit of DRA as a community organization with an educational and conservation mission,” said DRA’s Executive Director Steven Hufnagel. “We'll miss her on the board and are grateful she remains involved in so many ways.”

Robert Barkalow had a thorough introduction to the DRA in 2013 taking part in the Midcoast Stewards program, and has been an enthusiastic volunteer ever since. He enjoys working as a Trail Tamer and is the Steward of Tracy Shore Preserve among other projects at DRA including counting horseshoe crabs, sampling water quality in the estuary, and manning the grill at various DRA functions.

Barkalow, an avid hiker, backpacker and canoeist, has been a Scoutmaster and Venturing Crew Guide, sharing his passion for the outdoors with his children, as well as a host of other young men and women. He holds a BS in Computer Science from Rutgers, and an MBA in Management from Fairleigh Dickinson. Currently, his career as a Data Base Architect allows him to work from his home office as a consultant for a variety of clients throughout the country.

A New Jersey native, he spent three decades enjoying the natural beauty of the Damariscotta River at Jones Point, where his family spent their summers since 1920. In 2012 he and his wife Drusilla embraced their lifelong dream of moving full-time to the area and now live in Damariscotta Mills.

Peter McKinley is a research ecologist and conservation planner with The Wilderness Society (TWS) based in their northeastern office in Hallowell, Maine. He works on the development of conservation priorities for TWS projects and campaigns nationally with a particular focus on the northern and southern Appalachians.

Previously McKinley has worked at several land trusts as permanent staff or as a consultant. His work includes forest bird research and conservation with Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in Maine and shorebird and estuarine conservation with New Hampshire Audubon, as well as Forest Certification programs in Maine with a focus on biodiversity considerations. Currently McKinley is Vice President of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, which is active in conserving large tracts of land along the extent of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. At DRA, McKinley has joined the Lands Committee, where his experience in the land conservation field is highly valued.

McKinley grew up on Cape Cod but fell in love with Maine while at Colby College and returned as soon as he could after graduating in 1987 with a BA in biology. His education also brought him to Indiana University for a master’s in ecology, and University of New Brunswick for his doctorate in ecology. McKinley lives in Damariscotta with his wife Jeannie and spends many happy hours paddling local waters and walking local trails as often as possible.

Joel Russ grew up in Cape Elizabeth and graduated from Wesleyan University in 1966 with a BA in American History. He served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence from 1966 to 1971, was commissioned a second lieutenant following graduation from Officers Candidate School, attended one year of Thai language training in Washington, D.C., and was stationed in Bangkok, Thailand. He was honorably discharged as a Captain. He then attended and graduated from the University of Maine School of Law and was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1974.

Russ has held a variety of senior level positions in community-based non-profits organizations during his forty year career, including Executive Director of Greater Portland Landmarks, Vice President & General Counsel of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, CEO of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO of the Maine Science & Technology Foundation and President of the Four Square Foundation. He has also founded and managed two private companies, The Russ Company (historic preservation consulting) and Legacy Philanthropy Management, LLC (philanthropic consulting to businesses, individuals and private foundations). Russ has also served on the Board of numerous non-profits, in some as the founding member.

Russ, who coaches the cross-country team at Great Salt Bay School (where his grandchildren attend) is newly involved in maintaining the grass trails at DRA’s Great Salt Bay Farm Preserve where the cross-country team have practice and meets. Russ is married to Carolyn Russ, a retired Maine public school teacher. Joel enjoys running, fly-fishing, wilderness canoeing, hiking, travel, gardening and Maine coastal boating.

“We are so pleased to bring on three new trustees” said Hufnagel, “among them, they have strong connections to the river, vast experience in non-profit organizations, specialized conservation skills, technical expertise, and serious volunteer commitment. They are already adding to our discussion, working toward our mission, and bringing great new energy to our work.”

Visitors are welcome at the Great Salt Bay Heritage Center in Damariscotta as well as the many other DRA properties throughout the region. For more information call 207-563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or go to www.damariscottariver.org.