In My Words, Cathy Lookabaugh

Based out of MCHT’s Downeast Field Office in Whiting, Cathy Lookabaugh works as MCHT’s Community Outreach Manager for Washington County. Before starting this position in 2024, Cathy worked for about five years as the Education and Outreach Director with the Downeast Coastal Conservancy in Machias. 

Can you please describe your position? What does it mean to be a Community Outreach Manager?

I view my role as a way to connect with the communities here in Washington County, to learn why Maine is special to them, what they love about it, and why they want to protect our natural resources. Then I try to find ways to help them share their passions and work together with us to protect resources that we all love in different ways. 

What is your connection to Maine?

I am from New Jersey, but I went to the University of Maine in Orono for college. I bounced around after that, including to Hawaii for a couple of years, but my partner wanted to move back to Maine, and I agreed. It’s such a special place. We came back here and settled down in Lubec. 

I am pretty outdoorsy—I like to go hiking, camping, backpacking—and Maine just has this plethora of places to explore. I feel like I haven’t even touched the surface of what I could do here. There’s so much to explore.

Do you have a favorite MCHT preserve?

Boot Head Preserve in Lubec, I can see it from my backyard! It has a big bog, coastal views, and a beach that you can get down to. For a shorter trail, it has all the bang for your buck. 

What’s an example of a program or collaboration you’re currently working on?

Recently I have been leading monthly hikes on our preserves for a group of youth and their family members. These are people who don’t really have a lot of experience being outside or hiking, so it is kind of like an “Intro to the Outdoors” series. Our last hike was at Boot Head Preserve. I go there all the time since I live down the road, but they had never been there before. Watching them experience it for the first time helped me realize how much I love it and how special it is. 

How else are you working to help the Washington County community connect with MCHT lands?

We have been organizing accessibility focus groups in the region. We are trying to connect with small groups to learn what barriers might prevent them from accessing our preserved lands, and what we can do to help reduce those barriers. We’re looking at this from all different angles — not only making the trails more accessible, but also making events feel more inclusive for people from all different kinds backgrounds. We are taking a holistic approach. 

The feedback so far has been really valuable. Hopefully we can support those accessibility needs and make the outdoors a place where anyone feels comfortable.

You have been in your position for about a year. What else have you found gratifying about it so far? 

One of the focus areas here in Washington County has been growing our volunteer program, and I really love that. You get to meet people from all different walks of life who have all different kinds of relationships with MCHT. Some have been volunteering for 20 years and have watched a preserve come on board, and are now taking ownership of it because they care about it. Other folks have just moved to the area and are looking for a community and for people who have similar interests, and might not even know as much about MCHT. 

Whether the volunteers are participating in something simple, like a beach cleanup, or something more intense, like hauling gravel for a few hours, people are always so happy to help out. I love to see this bigger community coming together and people having fun being outside and connecting over that. Conservation is this collaborative effort.  We can all work together to build this bigger and deeper community that is fostering a sense of belonging and sense of purpose.

Want to collaborate with Cathy and MCHT? Please get in touch with Cathy at clookabaugh@mcht.org.