Rebecca Kurtz, Annual Fund Officer
Rebecca is a Maine native who has lived in the State’s largest city and one of its smallest unorganized territories. Today she lives on the Medomak River and shares her home with 3 dogs and a cat. She spends as much of her free time in the natural world as possible – from hiking to scuba diving, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, snowshoeing, walking the beaches, growing organic vegetables and tending to her great-grandmother’s 100+ year old peonies. The world outside her door is a source of inspiration, recreation and recharge.
With undergrad degrees in anthropology and environmental science, the complex spiritual, socioeconomic and ecological relationship between humans, plants, animals, geology and hydrology has held her fascination for nearly 35 years. She has had the privilege of sharing her passion and academic training as an experiential educator, environmental program director, a community planner, a grant writer and development professional for a western Maine land trust. She also had the honor of serving Mainers, particularly in the Unorganized Territory, as a two-term Land Use Regulation Commissioner.
On conservation: “I believe that the conservation of Maine’s natural resources is essential to the well-being of Maine today and in the future. Our lands and waters and the wildlife they support define us, nourish our cultural and spiritual needs, support our communities, and underpin our economy. As we grapple with climate change, we know that the sustainable conservation and/or restoration of these resources will build resilient systems and allow humans, plants and animals to mitigate impacts and adapt. At its core conservation forges and strengthens relationships among all living things while sustaining healthy systems. It relies on partnerships that are grounded in respect, inclusion, shared wisdom, and openness to all perspectives.”
On the job: As MCHT’s Annual Fund Officer, Rebecca is passionate about MCHT’s vision and its legacy of thoughtful and inclusive conservation. She is excited to forge partnerships that inspire deep connection and enduring investment our shared lands and waters.