What is a County Conservation District and How Can You Get Involved? | Mountain Voices

Please join The Northern Counties Conservation Districts in this Mountain Voices panel discussion, Conservation in the Mountains, featuring Whitney Lewis, Coos County District Manager, Pam Gilbert, Grafton County District Manager, and Catherine Dufault, Carroll County District Manager and moderated by MWM Director Meghan Doherty.

Coos, Grafton and Carroll County Conservation Districts will be taking you on a journey through the decades of the evolving conservation districts in today’s world by describing the history of where they originated from, the role of a conservation district, highlight the similarities they all have and how they all work together, along with cresting at the mountain where they showcase each of their individual programs! If all this conservation talk and programs excite you, then please join the Conservation Districts in this journey up the mountain to see how you can be involved or spread the great news of their dedicated programs today!

Pam Gilbert grew up in Chazy, New York.  She fondly remembers Conservation Field Days at the Miner Farm during elementary school, and was especially interested in the forestry and wildlife sessions.  She graduated from Paul Smiths College with an Associates degree in Forestry and moved to New Hampshire after graduation.  She worked as a bookkeeper for Wagner Woodlands and O’Brien Forestry Services before joining Grafton County Conservation District (GCCD).  She has been the District Manager with GCCD for over 20 years.  Working with a Board of Supervisors along with conservation partners is rewarding and ever-changing as new research and technology evolve.

Educated through the University of Maine at Farmington’s Environmental Policy and Planning program, Catherine Dufault brings experience collaborating with local land trusts, government agencies, and private customers to her position at Carroll County Conservation District. Raised in a rural community and growing up on a variety of farms has given Catherine a unique perspective on the sustainability of modern farming, one she carries into her service and initiatives at the Conservation District. Outside of work, Catherine reads, writes, cooks, hikes, and takes care of her cat and chickens from her home in Sandwich, New Hampshire.

Whitney Lewis is the District Manager for the Coos County Conservation District. She attended Unity College and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Biology, and then her Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education at Plymouth State University. Whitney has a diverse background in conservation experiences, beginning during the summers while she was in school. She worked for the Youth Conservation Corporation (YCC) at Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and then as a Biological Technician, a summer camp counselor at Barry Conservation Camp. She also worked for NH State Parks for eight years. Whitney served as a graduate assistant for the undergraduate Environmental Science and Policy classes at PSU and taught middle school science for three years. When she’s not working, catch her spending time with her family and enjoying all seasons of outdoor recreation!

This event will only be facilitated online via Zoom. Please visit HERE to register.