Midcoast Conservancy is the name of the new alliance of four local land and water conservation organizations. After nearly two years of planning and collaboration, Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance have joined forces, and resources.

Midcoast Conservancy’s mission is to support and promote healthy lands, waters, wildlife, and people in the Midcoast through conservation, education, and recreation.

Midcoast Conservancy will serve much of Waldo and Lincoln counties, have a clear focus on clean water, provide over 60 miles of publicly accessible trails, fields trips and programs designed to help people of all ages deepen their curiosity of the natural world, and 6,300 acres of conserved land that are open to the public for non-motorized recreation.

According to Jody Jones, executive director of the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, the process used to develop the organization’s new name is indicative of an outward-looking, community-based approach.

“We knew from the start that it was essential to involve our collective memberships. After all, they helped build the four founding organizations and we will need their help to build a new regional group.”

A group of current staff, members of boards of directors and volunteers formed a marketing and branding committee. Their first task was to solicit ideas and feedback from the membership. Nearly 400 members participated in voting and comment sessions. More than fifty suggestions for new names were sent to the committee.

The committee evaluated the membership response closely. They also sought-out the input of branding professionals from local advertising agencies and from the Land Trust Alliance to bring more perspective to the process.

“Ultimately, Midcoast Conservancy was chosen as the best name based on compiling input from members and advice from professionals with expertise in this area,” said Andy McEvoy, Director of Hidden Valley Nature Center and one of the committee members. “There was a preference for a short name, and it was important to our members that the name clearly reflect what we do, and where we do it.” Anything more than that, he said, will get captured in a creative new logo and tagline.

“I’m excited to see that Midcoast Conservancy will continue to build on the successes of each of the founding organizations and that they are obviously attuned to their communities,” says Tim Glidden, President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. “I’m confident that the Midcoast Conservancy will involve the people and institutions in the area to achieve effective conservation.”

Midcoast Conservancy will be bringing together all current staff from the four organizations--eight professionals, with a combined 125 years of conservation experience. Staff areas of expertise include water quality, invasive plant management, conservation planning, forestry and land management, communications, and education. The new staff includes Jody Jones (Executive Director), Steve Patton (Transition Coordinator), Anna Fiedler (Director of Land & Water Conservation), Garrison Beck (Lakes & Rivers Manager), Andy McEvoy (Forest Stewardship & Recreation Manager), Lynne Flaccus (Stewardship & Education Manager), Ali Stevenson (Communications & Marketing Manager), and Kristin Pennock (Office & Finance Manager).

Although the merger will become formal Jan. 1, 2016, the Midcoast Conservancy staff have already come together to work on expanding the reach of their the conservation, education and recreation opportunities that will be the hallmark of Midcoast Conservancy’s collective mission.

For any questions, contact Ali Stevenson at (207) 549-3836 or ali@dlwa.org.