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Conservation Has a Brighter Future at Loon Echo Land Trust

April 01, 2008 - BRIDGTON -- Destiny and a love of the outdoors lured Carrie Waiia into the professional world of land conservation. An outdoor enthusiast, Carrie majored in natural resource management in college, but had trouble finding work in the field. Four years ago, admittedly "broke," she went to an employment agency in hopes of finding a job.

"They told me Loon Echo Land Trust had a part-time administrative position. I nearly jumped out of my seat. I knew that starting at the bottom would only teach me about the organization and would enable me to be a future leader," she said.

The future has arrived. Carrie Waiia of Stoneham, who has played an integral role in Loon Echo Land Trust's most productive period, has been named executive director of the non-profit organization.

Waiia, who earned a B.S. degree in natural resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has served as Loon Echo's stewardship coordinator since 2004. She also helped organize the land trust's popular Loon Echo Hike N' Bike Trek - scheduled for Sept. 20 this year - and supervised the development of the conservation easements, a tool to protect land in perpetuity.

"Carrie brings to Loon Echo a passion for land conservation, proven ability to organize projects, and real 'people' skills," said Connie Cross, Loon Echo president. "Our Board of Directors is thrilled to have Carrie holding the reins. We know she is the right person to move Loon Echo forward."

Loon Echo, which began in 1987, serves the towns of Raymond, Casco, Harrison, Naples, Sebago, Bridgton and Denmark. The amount of acreage Loon Echo has conserved more than doubled, to 3,350, in the past five years. The Pleasant Mountain Preserve alone added 1,450 acres, which includes 10 miles of hiking trails apen to the public.

Other conservation easements have been completed at Highland Lake, Naples, and Casco. Loon Echo's newest conservation project is on 80 acres on Pleasant Pond in Denmark. Waiia also has been a guiding force in the successful Pondicherry Park Campaign, which recently completed acquisition of 56 acres in downtown Bridgton. About two-thirds of the campaign's $610,000 goal has been raised. The remaining $200,000 is needed to transform open land into a park with trails, bridges and other amenities. When completed, the park will be given to the citizens of Bridgton.
"I'm very proud of what Loon Echo has accomplished," Waiia said. "It's exciting to help to protect the special places that mean so much to us all."

Waiia succeeds Paul Mentag, Loon Echo's executive director from 2005 through 2007, who is now director of consulting services at the Institute for Civic Leadership in Portland.

SOURCE: BRIDGTON NEWS

DATE: 03-13-2008


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Regions: Sebago


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