Maria Jenness, Associate Director of Stewardship

Maria grew up in northern Vermont and spent summers at a family cabin in midcoast Maine. This drew her to attend Bates College where she received her B.S. in Geology. There she was able to explore more of Maine, and she also spent time in Iceland where she did her thesis research. Maria’s formal introduction to land conservation work came through an AmeriCorps position with Medomak Valley Land Trust. She has since served on the Boothbay Region Land Trust board and the Maine Land Trust Network Steering Committee. Maria worked previously as a sea kayak and river guide, spending summers in Maine and winters in Big Bend, Texas. Prior to joining MCHT, Maria spent 12 years as a Stewardship Manager with the Maine Island Trail Association.

Maria is most at home on the water, salt or fresh, and her favorite thing to do is multiday canoe trips with her partner and their two kids. She lives in Alna and enjoys exploring her local trails on foot, bike, or ideally xc skis.

Maria has been with MCHT since 2024.

On land conservation: “Some of my most formative memories were exploring Maine’s coastal islands as a kid. I am thrilled to work alongside the staff at MCHT to ensure these places continue to be protected and accessible for all. I grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team caring for the land and working to make Maine’s coast more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”

On the job: Maria works with the stewardship team out of the Topsham office and stewards MCHT preserves in Muscongus and western Penobscot Bays. She brings with her extensive familiarity with the coast and a wealth of experience wrangling logistics for island stewardship work.