ALERT!
Take care of the land. Take care of yourself. We’re a partner of the Look Out for ME initiative to provide guidelines, tips and resources for your next Maine adventure. Let’s all do our part to protect Maine’s natural resources for generations to come.
Follow us on Instagram (@kportconservation) to stay up to date on tips and tricks to #LookOutForME or click here to learn more about the campaign.
Mission
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust is dedicated to preserving land for use by current and future generations, and to managing properties in a way that reflects the natural and cultural heritage of Kennebunkport.
Community Conservation
The concept of community conservation is sweeping the country and strengthening communities. It is the practice of blending land preservation, stewardship, member engagement, along with education of natural and historical resources into one program. With this approach, the health of both people and landscapes benefit from one another.
Protected and Conserved Lands
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust has conserved over 2,800 acres of land from development. While many of those acres are protected purely for the preservation of their ecosystems, numerous properties are open to the public for exploration and recreation.
Executing Our Mission Through…
01. Conservation
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Our vision is a greenway that stretches from the farthest corner of Kennebunkport to the sea. Read more…
02. Education
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Conservation is more than protecting land forever. It’s connecting people to that land and giving them a reason to care. Read more…
03. Events
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From our annual trail runs to small nature talks, we’ve got something new each month to get you out into the community! Read more…
04. membership
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Nothing done at the Trust possible without your support. Stay connected. Become a member. Read more…
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust owns several islands off the coast of Cape Porpoise that have been donated or purchased over the years.
Our Island Camping website is a great place to learn more about the islands, book a campsite reservation, or get in contact with our Island Stewards.
“The places that make up the essential character of our community”
Tom Bradbury | executive director
History
Since 1973, the Trust has been preserving special places in Kennebunkport.
It began with a threat to our lands. The community worked with us to protect these properties that were in danger of development. With the help of our members, KCT has conserved over 2,800 acres, created over 27 miles of trails, maintained harbor islands for public use, restored a historic lighthouse and boathouse, established educational programs, built a headquarters for community gatherings, and created a special Trust family in Kennebunkport.
Just like we recognized threats to our land in the past, the Trust recognizes the threat of climate change to our land in the future. As such, we’ve partnered to form the The Climate Initiative (formerly The Kennebunkport Climate Initiative), a new scientifically-based education organization aimed to help educate about the climate crisis, by bringing the issues to a local landscape in order to engage communities.
We welcome all to join us.
Contact Us
MAILING: PO Box 7004, Cape Porpoise, ME 04014
EMAIL: info@kporttrust.org
PHONE: 207.967.3465
VISIT: 57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Meet the Team
Thomas Bradbury - Executive Director
Tom has served as the President, and now Executive Director, of the Trust since 1978. In 1996 Tom’s conservation efforts for protecting numerous acres that reflect the beauty and character of Kennebunkport were recognized when he became the first recipient of the American Land Conservation Award, becoming the leading citizen conservationist in the United States. Tom was also recognized in 2004 with the U.S. EPA New England Region “Lifetime Achievement” award. Tom and his wife, Shirley, live in Cape Porpoise and raised their daughters in Kennebunkport. His roots in our community run centuries deep.
tom@kctoffice.org I 207.967.3465 x 112
Jenna Van Haren - Education Coordinator
Jenna is a Wisconsin native and grew up with a love of forests, bugs, and nature. She has worked in Environmental Education since earning a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She discovered her love of New England beaches and forests while completing a year of AmeriCorps on Cape Cod. After teaching in environmental settings across the country, Jenna returned to the East Coast and completed a M.A. in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University. She is very excited to bring her experience in environmental education teaching and science curriculum development to KCT and the surrounding schools. In her free time, she can be found hiking with her dog or exploring the beaches.
Jenna@kporttrust.org I 207-967-3465 x110
Heather Magaw - Operations Manager
Heather’s time in the office is spent making sure that our organization continues running in the smoothest way possible. She handles our day to day operations, rentals, and events such as Trail Fest and the Annual Online Auction. With years of experience in administrative work, Heather’s expertise covers everything from finances to events and everything in between. When stopping by the Trust, head right down the stairs and Heather will have all the answers to your questions!
heather@kporttrust.org I 207-967-3465 x 111
Nikki Schlie - Finance and Outreach Manager
Nikki combines her financial expertise with a passion for raising awareness about community conservation. Nikki collaborates with local community members and organizations to foster a deeper connection with the KCT's mission. Her outreach endeavors aim to inspire others to appreciate and actively contribute to the preservation of nature, creating a stronger bond between the trust and its supporters. Her love for the birds, woods, lakes and coastline of Maine adds an extra layer to her deep connection with nature. You'll often find her exploring trust properties, especially the Smith Preserve, with her husband and their dog Charli. Beyond her role at KCT, Nikki serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Arundel Conservation Trust, further contributing to her commitment to local conservation efforts.
nikki@kporttrust.org
Leia Lowery- Executive Director - The Climate Initiative
Leia graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, along with a M.S. in Vocational and Technical Education. With classroom and non-traditional teaching experience, Leia specializes in creating dynamic education programs to produce critical thinkers, life-long learners, and productive citizens of the future. She is also the co-founder of The Climate Initiative which was born out of the education programs here at the Trust. The Climate Initiative works with the Trust formulating a model for community and education-based action to create resilient landscapes in the face of our changing climate. You can find more information about The Climate Intiative at TheClimateInitiative.org.
leia@theclimateinitiative.org I 207.967.3465 x 113
Shelley Fleming Wigglesworth - Staff Writer
Shelley is an award-winning journalist specializing in maritime topics and the commercial fishing industry. A fourth generation native of the Kennebunks, she is well known in the community for her articles on people, places and issues that resonate with readers. She is the mother of two grown children. When she is not writing, she works on the commercial fishing vessel The Nor’easter. You can find her stories in the following publications: The Village Magazine, The York County Coast Star, Yankee, National Fisherman, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East, Maine Lobstermen's Association’s Landings and others. She is also the author of the Nunans of Cape Porpoise book.
tomlis@gwi.net
Board of Directors
Russ Grady - President
Russ was raised in Clinton, Massachusetts, and from a young age, he developed a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. In 1997, he and his wife Julie decided to settle down in Kennebunkport, making it their home. Here they have raised two sons and have spent countless hours exploring Trust properties. Russ has dedicated a significant portion of his professional life to the auto insurance industry, specifically within operations and strategy organizations. Currently, he serves as a local realtor and works as a consultant for a technology company based in Chicago. Russ's association with the Trust dates back to 2010, and he has served as board president since early 2020.
Jerry Mullin - Secretary
Jerry has been a member of the KCT Board of Directors since 1993 and has served as Secretary since 2011. Jerry earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of New Hampshire and is currently Professor of Chemistry in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of New England. His research areas include the study of compounds having unusual fluorescence properties, the development of chemical sensors, and the determination of heavy metal distributions in environmental samples. In his free time, Jerry is likely to be found hiking in the mountains of western Maine or the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He is strongly committed to the Trust’s mission of preservation and stewardship of open spaces for habitat protection and recreation.
Charlie Buckley
Charlie and his family moved to Kennebunkport full time in 2019 after spending many summers here throughout the years. After a 25 year career in banking, Charlie and his wife Robin recently opened Kennebunk Outfitters, a specialty outdoor apparel and footwear store. When not working, Charlie can often be found coaching local youth sports teams, running, hiking and fishing the beautiful lands of southern Maine and the trust. He is a passionate supporter of the trust's mission and its unique role in encouraging an active outdoor lifestyle.
Joan Hull
Joan has been a KCT board member since 2017. She also serves as a joint member of both the KCT and the Arundel Conservation Trust (ACT) Boards of Directors. She has retired from a career in nursing and executive health care leadership, living in Arundel since 2007. She is also a Maine Master Naturalist and enjoys working with KCT on areas of governance and strategic planning. She is grateful for the mentorship KCT has shown ACT as it has grown and appreciates the collaborative values and commitment to community she has found as a board member. In her free time, she is most happy building trails and relationships.
Dr. Pam Morgan - Vice President
Pam has been involved with KCT since 2008, when she helped create the Trust in Our Children program for K-5 students at Kennebunkport Consolidated School. In 2012 she became a member of the Board of Directors. She is a professor in the Environmental Studies program at the University of New England, and enjoys creating educational opportunities on KCT properties for her students that benefit both them and the Trust. In her free time, she can be found outdoors whenever possible, since nature is so good for the body, mind, and spirit!
Juliet Altham
Juliet arrived in Kennebunkport from the UK with her family for a 3-year ‘house swap’ in 2010; they couldn’t leave! First encountering KCT through her children who got to experience field trips while at Consolidated school, she ultimately got involved leading volunteers to build the KCT community labyrinth. Having had a Bowenwork (therapeutic bodywork) practice in town since 2014, she has got to know and support local people addressing physical and emotional issues through holistic healthcare. She sees access to nature as critical to health and Maine’s extraordinary natural landscape a privilege to now call home. Juliet also brings her previous experience of ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) in business and investment to her role with the Board.
Karen Dombrowski
Karen has been a KCT board member for over 30 years and grew up at Goose Rocks Beach. KCT headquarters is located on Karen’s great grandfather’s farm. She has lived at Goat Island for 30 years, where she raised two sons who both attended Kennebunk High School. Karen is a hairdresser, veterinarian technician, and is helping to develop the off leash area at Meadow Woods Preserve. She has been married for 41 years to Scott Dombrowski, the other Goat Island lighthouse keeper.
Christ Angelos - Treasurer
Christ has been a member of the Board of Directors for 20 years. He enjoys being involved with trail maintenance, fundraising for KCT’s many projects and working with the Alternative Education Program. He is especially excited about the new dog park at Meadow Woods Preserve. Christ has been a practicing veterinarian in our community for the last 40 years. He is constantly amazed by the vision of Tom Bradbury and the team at KCT because while most people would say "I'll believe it when I see it,” the team at KCT says “We'll see it when we believe it.” KCT believes in what is possible and then sees those projects to fruition. Christ looks forward to many more years of involvement at KCT.
Arnie Amoroso
Arnie arrived in Kennebunk in 1966 where a 16 year old Tom Bradbury was one of his charges. He spent a year-long fellowship in Orono developing courses that nature writers and thinkers saw as the beginnings of conservation progress. After returning to Kennebunk, Arnie naturally slid into contact with Tad Dow, Hale Whitehouse, and other folks who would eventually form KCT. Outside of Trust activities, Arnie has enjoyed cross country ski racing and running up until what he would say was “fairly recently.” As the longest serving and only original board member, Arnie looks fondly back upon his last 50 years of service to KCT.
Tim Fraser
Tim is married to Wife, Lee-Anne, and has two grown adult children. Professionally, he co-founded and managed a successful business based staffing group in Boston for over 25 years. Tim is a graduate of the Business School at the University of New Hampshire. Tim has long-time family ties to the area and has been fortunate to have been a homeowner in Cape Porpoise for more than 25 years, and here full time for the last few years. His love of the outdoors has him either biking, hiking or kayaking, much of that time spent on KCT property and trails. Tim has camped on the islands in Cape Porpoise over the years, and most recently became part of the Island Steward team. His hobbies include woodworking, vegetable gardening, golfing, and playing with his Grandchildren - who are a joy.
Tom Putnam
Tom grew up in Kennebunk and graduated from Kennebunk High School. After a career as an educator and director of two history museums (the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and the Concord Museum) he retired in 2022 and moved back home. He's been involved with the Trust for many years and joined the board in 2023. He and his wife, Phyllis Wentworth, a native of Kennebunkport, live in Cape Porpoise. Their favorite properties are Emmons Preserve and the islands off Cape Porpoise which they explore via their kayaks.
Board of Trustees
Susan Bell
Wayne Bell
Jestena Boughton
Ed Bull & Sheila Matthews Bull
Sharon Cummins
Scott Dombrowski
Susan Edwards
Spike Emmons
Ruth Fernandez
Tom & Jenn Fries
Dot Gregoire
Kenneth Hutchins
David James
Bob King
Linda O’Neill
Ken Raynor
Rebecca Roberts
Gail Roller
Chris Smith
Dan Viehmann
Rich Woodman
Linda Zuke
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