Five Rivers Announces Leadership Transition
August 24, 2020 – Five Rivers Conservation Trust announces that Beth McGuinn, who has served as the organization’s first full time Executive Director since 2014, will step down from her role later this year. A search for a new Executive Director is now underway.
During Beth’s tenure as Executive Director, Five Rivers has conserved over 1,500 acres of farms, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat, bringing the total area conserved by the organization to more than 5,400 acres. Recently conserved land includes the Janeway Conservation Area in Webster and Hopkinton, Armstrong Forest Preserve in Concord, Stone Farm in Dunbarton, the Houston Intervale in Contoocook, and Children’s Brook in Warner. The 31-year old organization also achieved national accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission since Beth’s arrival. In addition, Beth has helped double the organization’s number of financial supporters, hire its first full-time conservation staff person, and begin creating its first conservation plan.
Sylvia Bates, an early board member, says: “Five Rivers has a long history of conserving land in the greater capital region. Beth has brought the organization to a new level of professionalism by achieving Accreditation and growth in professional staff. Our local land trust is vital to the quality of life for all residents, and I look forward to the next stage of development for Five Rivers.”
Beth says: “Five Rivers is very important to me – it’s my local land trust. I want to ensure a smooth transition that will help the organization achieve the next level of success under new leadership.” She has decided to leave her position to gain a better work-life balance and explore new opportunities for her career. Beth plans to serve as Executive Director until the Board has found a new leader, likely by the end of 2020.
Maura Adams, chairman of the Board of Trustees, says: “We are deeply grateful for Beth’s service to Five Rivers over the past six years. Five Rivers is a strong, confident organization thanks in large part to her leadership.”
Liz Durfee Hengen, a Five Rivers supporter since 1989, notes that, “Five Rivers has evolved into one of the region’s most prized organizations. Its conserved lands not only save special places, but also bring people together through trails, crops and programs. As a member from the outset, I’m excited to see how, under new leadership, it continues to evolve and make valuable contributions to the community.”
The Board of Trustees is currently accepting applications for the Executive Director position and aims to have a new leader in place by the end of 2020. The job announcement is available here: Executive Director Job Announcement. Questions and comments about the search should be directed to FiveRiversBoard@gmail.com.
Five Rivers Conservation Trust is a nonprofit organization that works with communities and landowners to protect land that will ensure future generations can experience, utilize, and benefit from the farms, forests, wetlands, and fields that define today’s landscape. The organization serves seventeen communities across the greater Capital Region and has conserved 80 properties, totaling over 5,400 acres.
CONTACTS: Beth McGuinn, Executive Director: 225-7225; beth@5rct.org
Maura Adams, Board Chair: 545-9629; maurakadams@gmail.com
