Damariscotta River Association Board of Trustees President Bruce Lutsk announced the DRA has added three new trustees to the board.
Robert Barkalow, Peter McKinley, and Joel Russ join 15 current trustees: Tom Arter, Rebecca Brown, William Coyne, Susan Dale, James Donovan, Joseph Guttentag, Robert Hunold, Lutsk, Emily MacKenzie, Alden McFarland, Carolyn McKeon, Normand Saucier, Edward Seidel, Tenley Seiders, and Priscilla Ulin.
“Our new trustees have hit the ground running and already are thoroughly involved in the work of our board,” Lutsk said. “This is a very exciting time for the DRA and we are thrilled to have such accomplished individuals as new trustees.”
It was also announced that Christine Preston has left the board with distinction after serving her maximum allowable two three-year terms. Preston had served as vice president, oversaw the children’s garden, helped to lead the effort to conserve the Phillips Farm, and remains active in the oyster gardening program at DRA.
“Christine has contributed so much to the spirit of DRA as a community organization with an educational and conservation mission,” said DRA Executive Director Steven Hufnagel. “We’ll miss her on the board and are grateful she remains involved in so many ways.”
Robert Barkalow had a thorough introduction to the DRA in 2013, taking part in the Midcoast Stewards program, and has been an enthusiastic volunteer ever since.
He enjoys working as a trail tamer and is the steward of Tracy Shore Preserve among other projects at DRA, including counting horseshoe crabs, sampling water quality in the estuary, and manning the grill at various DRA functions.
Barkalow, an avid hiker, backpacker, and canoeist, has been a Scoutmaster and venturing crew guide, sharing his passion for the outdoors with his children, as well as a host of other young men and women.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Rutgers and a Master of Business Administration in management from Fairleigh Dickinson.
Currently, his career as a database architect allows him to work from his home office as a consultant for a variety of clients throughout the country.
A New Jersey native, he spent three decades enjoying the natural beauty of the Damariscotta River at Jones Point, where his family spent their summers since 1920.
In 2012 he and his wife, Drusilla, embraced their lifelong dream of moving full time to the area and now live in Damariscotta Mills.
Peter McKinley is a research ecologist and conservation planner with The Wilderness Society based in their northeastern office in Hallowell. He works on the development of conservation priorities for society projects and campaigns nationally with a particular focus on the northern and southern Appalachians.
Previously, McKinley has worked at several land trusts as a staff member or consultant. His work includes forest bird research and conservation with the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in Maine and shorebird and estuarine conservation with New Hampshire Audubon, as well as forest certification programs in Maine with a focus on biodiversity considerations.
Currently, McKinley is vice president of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, which is active in conserving large tracts of land along the extent of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. At DRA, McKinley has joined the lands committee, where his experience in the land conservation field is highly valued.
McKinley grew up on Cape Cod but fell in love with Maine while at Colby College and returned as soon as he could after graduating in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. His education also brought him to Indiana University for a master’s in ecology, and University of New Brunswick for his doctorate in ecology.
McKinley lives in Damariscotta with his wife, Jeannie, and spends many happy hours paddling local waters and walking local trails as often as possible.
Joel Russ grew up in Cape Elizabeth and graduated from Wesleyan University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in American History. He served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence from 1966 to 1971, was commissioned a second lieutenant following graduation from Officers Candidate School, attended one year of Thai language training in Washington, D.C., and was stationed in Bangkok, Thailand. He was honorably discharged as a captain. He then attended and graduated from the University of Maine School of Law and was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1974.
Russ has held a variety of senior level positions in community-based nonprofits during his 40-year career, including executive director of Greater Portland Landmarks, vice president and general counsel of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, CEO of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO of the Maine Science & Technology Foundation and president of the Four Square Foundation.
He has also founded and managed two private companies, The Russ Company (historic preservation consulting) and Legacy Philanthropy Management LLC (philanthropic consulting to businesses, individuals, and private foundations). Russ has also served on the boards of numerous nonprofits, in some as a founding member.
Russ, who coaches the cross-country team at Great Salt Bay Community School (where his grandchildren attend) is newly involved in maintaining the grass trails at DRA’s Great Salt Bay Farm Preserve where the cross-country team has practice and meets.
Russ is married to Carolyn Russ, a retired Maine public school teacher. He enjoys running, fly-fishing, wilderness canoeing, hiking, travel, gardening, and Maine coastal boating.
“We are so pleased to bring on three new trustees” said Hufnagel, “among them, they have strong connections to the river, vast experience in nonprofit organizations, specialized conservation skills, technical expertise, and serious volunteer commitment. They are already adding to our discussion, working toward our mission, and bringing great new energy to our work.”
The Damariscotta River Association is a nonprofit membership-supported organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of the Damariscotta River, its watershed, and adjacent areas for the benefit of all.
DRA has active programs in the areas of land conservation, stewardship, community education, water quality monitoring, marine conservation, and cultural preservation.
Visitors are welcome at the Great Salt Bay Heritage Center in Damariscotta as well as the many other DRA properties throughout the region. For more information, call 563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit www.damariscottariver.org.
