Annual Meeting 2026
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WE’RE HIRING! – Environmental Educator
Position Type: Year-round, ¾-time or full-time
Compensation & Benefits: Salary is $45,000 to $50,000 and is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and hours worked per week. Roughly $18,000 in annual benefits value includes paid holidays, vacation time, personal days, a health stipend, and an IRA contribution.
Location: This position is based in Deer Isle, Maine, a small, rural island community with a year-round population of approximately 3,000. The local economy is rooted in natural resources, recreational tourism, and the fishing industry. This is primarily an in-person position with some hybrid flexibility.
Summary
Island Heritage Trust (IHT) is seeking an experienced Environmental Educator (EE) to work with students and teachers at Deer Isle-Stonington High School (DISHS) and Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School (DISES), as well as to develop and lead educational programs for community members of all ages.
The Environmental Educator will support students and teachers in identifying areas of inquiry, designing and implementing data collection projects, interpreting data, and producing graphs and reports. The position also includes planning and leading field trips that connect classroom learning with hands-on environmental experiences. In addition, the Environmental Educator will help build connections with local experts, organizations, and institutions, and to engage community members in citizen science projects. The ideal candidate will have experience presenting environmental education to diverse audiences and fostering appreciation for Deer Isle’s land, shore resources, and unique landscape.
Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and have substantial experience in education and the environmental sciences. They should be able to foster a strong environmental ethic through an interdisciplinary approach to nature and environmental education, encourage sustainable land stewardship for current and future generations, and create opportunities for students to develop an appreciation for Deer Isle’s diverse landscapes.
The candidate will possess outstanding interpersonal skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and the capacity to work both collaboratively and independently. Access to a vehicle for self-transport and a reliable internet connection for remote work are also required.
Responsibilities and Features of the Role include, but are not limited to:
- Contributing to a dynamic and supportive work environment alongside engaged colleagues, volunteers, and members, with opportunities for collaboration.
- Pursuing professional development and growth opportunities.
- Leading and coordinating approximately 20 field trips each year.
- Supporting the schools’ in-classroom, nature-trail, Eco-Club, and after-school programs.
- Leading and coordinating year-round outdoor educational programs.
- Fostering a strong environmental ethic through nature and environmental education.
- Representing IHT at community events and participating in IHT-hosted programs and activities.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references with contact information in one document (PDF) for immediate consideration.
Applications can be submitted by email, or by mail to contact information below. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. For questions, or more information contact:
Julia Zell, Executive Director
Island Heritage Trust
PO Box 42, Deer Isle, ME 04627
jzell@islandheritagetrust.org 207.348.2455
The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
Maine Trails Program – Request for Proposals
February 6, 2026
Island Heritage Trust
PO Box 42
Deer Isle, ME 04627
Contact: Alex Drenga, IHT Conservation Director
adrenga@islandheritagetrust.org
Project: Island Heritage Trust’s (IHT) Accessible Trail Improvements at Barred Island and Lily Pond Project
Funding Source: A portion of the project is funded via a Maine Trails Program grant administered by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Grants & Community Recreation Program. Private funding may be required for upgrades or deviations from the original project scope as needed.
Owner: Island Heritage Trust
Location: Barred Island Preserve and Lily Pond, Deer Isle, ME
- Introduction
Island Heritage Trust (IHT) invites sealed bids from qualified contractors for the renovation of, and construction of accessibility improvements for, Barred Island Preserve and Lily Pond Trails in Deer Isle, Maine. Maps showing the location of the trails are available upon request.
- Project Scope
With guidance from the ‘Barred Island and Lily Pond Trail Assessment and Planning Project,’ Island Heritage Trust (IHT) is looking for a qualified contractor to complete this project in 2026. This document is available upon request.
The accessible trail upgrades will meet the technical provisions for the Architectural Barriers Act Accessible Standards (ABAAS) and the United States Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) for approximately 1,304 linear feet at the Barred Island Preserve, 2,082 linear feet of the Quaco Road Trailhead, and 896 linear feet of the Deer Run Trailhead. The technical provisions include requirements for the tread surface, tread width, slopes, resting intervals, passing spaces, tread obstacles, openings, protruding objects, and trail signs.
Focusing on the nine technical provisions will be critical in preventing future problems, require minimal tread maintenance, and maximize the user’s experience by providing greater accessibility to the outdoor environment. Generally speaking, sustainable trails are laid out at an average of 10% grade, while accessible trails need to be 8.33% or less for 70% of the length of the path to meet the technical requirements. The layout should be determined by several factors such as terrain, soil type, side slope, frequencies of grade reversals, and layout constraints, to name a few. The treadway grades at Barred Island Preserve and Lily Pond range from 0% to a maximum of 8%, with over 70% of the total length of both trails at 5% or less. Tread width varies based on location, but must be a minimum of 36-inches wide. At the Barred Island Preserve and Lily Pond Trails the trail width should be constructed at 6 feet wide to match existing conditions. Passing spaces and resting interval locations were recommended in accordance with the technical requirement and are referenced in the worklogs which will be available to the hired contractor. The tread surface must be firm and stable, which will include importing an aggregate stone mixture and compacting the aggregate in lifts.
- Mandatory Site Walk and Information Meeting
All contractors wishing to bid on this project are required to have one or more representatives attend a Site Walk and Information Meeting at Barred Island Preserve and the Lily Pond Trails. As part of the site walk, the Conservation Director will review renovations and improvements included in the project. In addition, questions may be asked of the Conservation Director. If there are any questions that cannot be answered at the site walk, the responses will be sent to all site walk attendees shortly thereafter. A record of the questions and answers will be sent to all site walk attendees.
Site walks will be scheduled on the last week of February (2/23/26-2/27/26) from 9 AM to 3 PM on a first come first serve basis. If needed, dates before the deadline (3/19/26) can be scheduled upon request.
- Bid Submission
Deadline: Thursday, March 19, 2026, by 5:00 PM.
Delivery: Sealed bids must be delivered to:
Island Heritage Trust
c/o Alex Drenga, Conservation Director
PO Box 42
Deer Isle, ME 04627
- Bid Opening and Scoring
Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the IHT office, Heritage House, 420 Sunset Road on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM. All RFPs will be scored by a rubric which is available upon request.
- Contractor Requirements
- Proof of insurance (general liability and workers’ compensation).
- Compliance with all application federal, state, and local laws – see in particular the documentation provisions and other requirements included in the Maine Trails Program Guidance (available upon request).
- Ability to furnish performance and payment bonds if required.
- Demonstrated experience with trail construction projects.
- Qualifications of employees assigned to the project and description of their roles.
- Evidence of sufficient capacity to complete the project in a timely manner.
- Ability to obtain permits from Deer Isle.
- Project start and completion: 4/1/2026 – 9/1/2026
- Award of Contract
The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in accordance with Maine’s competitive bidding requirements for publicly funded projects. IHT reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to accept the bid deemed in the best interest of the project.
- Contract is Contingent on Several Factors
IHT’s final commitment is contingent on several factors, such as:
- ability to secure interim financing, if needed.
- Receipt of the fully executed Project Agreement with the Maine Trails Program grant funder, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
- Payment Terms
Payment terms are negotiable. IHT’s preference, if the grant funders will agree to reimbursement based on three milestones – one at the beginning of the project, one after completion of either Barred Island Trail or Lily Pond Trail, and one after completion of the project.
- Questions
Substantive questions about the project will not be entertained until the site walk and information meeting (unless they are about that meeting). Inquiries after the site walk must be submitted in writing to:
Alex Drenga, Conservation Director, IHT
adrenga@islandheritagetrust.org
(413) 563-6393
Fox Hollow
Following Island Heritage Trust’s successful purchase of Fox Hollow in May, IHT is thrilled to announce that a $300,000 grant from the Anahata Foundation has helped IHT repay in full a critical loan that was used to purchase the property.
The purchase of Fox Hollow was made possible with support from an anonymous foundation, numerous donors, and a partner loan from The Conservation Fund. As of September 2nd, IHT discharged the loan and is exploring using its fundraising efforts to maintain the property and buildings on it. An advisory committee will be formed in the coming months to research and recommend to IHT’s board various options for the property, while staying aligned with IHT’s mission and strategic goals. Nominees for the committee may be submitted to the Executive Director, Julia Zell, jzell@islandheritagetrust.org.
IHT is grateful to the foundations and individuals who assisted in the conservation of Fox Hollow. For more information about this project and other IHT work, visit www.islandheritagetrust.org.
Fiscal Year Ending October 31
“With our fiscal year ending October 31, we still have important fundraising ground to cover. If you have already contributed, thank you— your generosity sustains our work. If you haven’t yet made a gift, or are able to give again, your support before October 31 (of any amount) will help sustain our busy summer season and our year-round stewardship efforts. Every contribution truly makes a difference.”
Julia Zell
Executive Director
Island Heritage Trust
You can read the full letter *click here*
Concert on the Cove at Burnt Cove Boil — A Benefit for Island Heritage Trust
Join us on August 20 at Burnt Cove Boil in Stonington for an evening of live music, coastal flavors, and community celebration. This special event, Concert on the Cove, features a high-energy performance by Lasers in the Jungle; all in support of Island Heritage Trust and its mission to conserve the natural beauty and heritage of Deer Isle.
Highlights:
- Live music from Lasers in the Jungle, known for their lively, genre-blending sound. Concert tickets are $30 each
- An optional lobster dinner is available for $80 with a reservation
- Stunning sunset views at one of the island’s most iconic waterfront spots
- All proceeds benefit Island Heritage Trust’s conservation work
Please Note:
- Limited parking — please carpool if possible
- No pets allowed
Botanical Eco Printing with Teach Peace Prints
Botanical Eco Printing with Teach Peace Prints
$85 per person
3 hour class
All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This event will take place rain or shine!
Hidden color exists all around us, waiting to be transformed into works of art. Eco printing is the process of bundling and steaming both plants and food waste onto either fabric or paper, allowing the natural pigments to transfer to the prepared substrate. All of the colors, shapes, and textures that bond with the fiber come from the materials themselves, leaving their incredible imprints for us to enjoy. Eco printing offers unique variations and a world of possibilities that allow for full exploration, while mindfully collaborating with the natural world!
Participants will print onto a set of mordanted fabric samples, including a cotton bandana, tote bag, and linen cloth. Create beautiful, one of a kind pieces that can be admired forever, while taking time to slow down and appreciate the diversity of patterns, shapes and ideas dwelling alongside and within us. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
No experience is necessary to join, and all are welcome!
If you have any questions please email: teachpeaceprints@gmail.com
August Hiking Club
Join Us For August Hiking Club!
Most Wednesdays at 9am, a group of folks gather to explore the Preserves stewarded by Island Heritage Trust. Hikes are led by Environmental Educator, Martha Bell, and IHT volunteers. Come connect with community on easy to moderate morning hikes, that last around 90 minutes. Please check our dog policy for each preserve before bringing your pup to hiking club.
