Executive Committee

Kristin DeBoer, Kestrel Land Trust - Chair

Vice Chair (vacant)

Alisha Milardo, Connecticut Audubon Society - Treasurer

Mary Pelletier, Park Watershed - Secretary

Chris Campany, Windham Regional Commission

Dan Augustino, Springfield Museums

David Govatski, Friends of Pondicherry, Friends of Nulhegan

Kirsten Martin, University of Saint Joseph

Committee Chairs

Advocacy – Rae Ettenger, Appalachian Mountain Club

Conservation - vacant

Recreation and Education – Dan Augustino, Springfield Museums

Restoration - vacant

Science and Research - vacant

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.

Advocacy committee

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.

Legislative Working Group: The Partnership is 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.

conservation committee

Recreation and Education committee

Our members are working on making the river accessible for all and bringing Watershed resources to Watershed communities. We are also working to share Watershed exhibits and curriculum within the network of museums working in the region. We seek to connect colleges and universities located in the Watershed, exploring opportunities to collaborate on shared initiatives.

Conte Urban Partnership (CUP) Working Group: 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.

restoration committee

science and research committee

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.