History

Since 1973, the Trust has been preserving special places in Kennebunkport.

It began with a threat to our lands. The community worked with us to protect these properties that were in danger of development. With the help of our members, KCT has conserved over 3,800 acres, created over 30 miles of trails, maintained harbor islands for public use, restored a historic lighthouse and boathouse, established educational programs, built a headquarters for community gatherings, and created a special Trust family in Kennebunkport.

Just like we recognized threats to our land in the past, the Trust recognizes the threat of climate change to our land in the future. As such, we’ve partnered to form the The Climate Initiative (formerly The Kennebunkport Climate Initiative), a new scientifically-based education organization aimed to help educate about the climate crisis, by bringing the issues to a local landscape in order to engage communities.

We welcome all to join us.

Contact Us

**MAILING:** PO Box 7004, Cape Porpoise, ME 04014
**EMAIL:** info@kporttrust.org
**PHONE:** 207.967.3465
**VISIT:** 57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Meet the Team

**Thomas Bradbury - Executive Director**
Tom has served as the President, and now Executive Director, of the Trust since 1978. In 1996 Tom’s conservation efforts for protecting numerous acres that reflect the beauty and character of Kennebunkport were recognized when he became the first recipient of the American Land Conservation Award, becoming the leading citizen conservationist in the United States. Tom was also recognized in 2004 with the U.S. EPA New England Region “Lifetime Achievement” award. Tom and his wife, Shirley, live in Cape Porpoise and raised their daughters in Kennebunkport. His roots in our community run centuries deep.
tom@kporttrust.org I 207.967.3465 x 112

Nikki Raynor - Financial ManagerNikki recently moved from New York to Maine and brought her financial expertise with her. She believes her passion for the environment along with her degree in Business Administration are an ideal foundation for her work as KCT's financial manager. “Preserving my new town is extremely important to me and I am proud to support this organization, as it does exactly that”. Nikki is also a volunteer with the Arundel Conservation Trust and spends most of her free time hiking and exploring our beautiful state of Maine.nraynor@kporttrust.org — **Nikki Schlie - Associate Director**
Nikki combines her financial expertise with a passion for community conservation as the Associate Director of the KCT. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, Nikki plays a crucial role in overseeing the Trust’s financial operations while helping to drive its mission forward through strategic planning, fundraising, and community engagement. Her outreach efforts foster a deeper connection between the Trust and local communities, inspiring others to appreciate and actively contribute to the preservation of Maine's natural landscapes. Nikki's love for the birds, woods, lakes, and coastline of Maine further strengthens her connection to nature. You’ll often find her exploring Trust properties, with her husband and their dog, Charli. Beyond her work with KCT, Nikki is also the Administrative Coordinator for the Arundel Conservation Trust, further contributing to her commitment to local conservation efforts.
nikki@kporttrust.org | 207.200.7456

**Heather Magaw - Office Manager**
Heather’s time in the office is spent making sure that our organization continues running in the smoothest way possible. She handles our day to day operations, rentals, and events such as Trail Fest and the Annual Online Auction. With years of experience in administrative work, Heather’s expertise covers everything from finances to events and everything in between. When stopping by the Trust, head right down the hall to the first office on the left and Heather will have all the answers to your questions!
heather@kporttrust.org I 207-967-3465 x 111

**Jenna Van Haren - Education Coordinator**
Jenna is a Wisconsin native and grew up with a love of forests, bugs, and nature. She has worked in Environmental Education since earning a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She discovered her love of New England beaches and forests while completing a year of AmeriCorps on Cape Cod. After teaching in environmental settings across the country, Jenna returned to the East Coast and completed a M.A. in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University. She is very excited to bring her experience in environmental education teaching and science curriculum development to KCT and the surrounding schools. In her free time, she can be found hiking with her dog or exploring the beaches.
Jenna@kporttrust.org I 207-967-3465 x110

**Juliann Lapierre - Property Steward**
Juliann is a passionate and energetic conservationist who is excited to spend her time and energy serving as KCT’s Property Manager. She graduated from the University of New England in 2024 with a B.S. in Environmental Science. During her academic career Juliann utilized the relationship between the KCT and UNE to get hands-on experience in land surveying, invasive species management, and trail design and construction right here in Kennebunkport. Having grown up in rural Maine, Juliann had developed her love for nature at an early age. She pursued a career in Environmental Science so that she can share her love for nature and ensure that current and future generations have access to experiences similar to those she feels so lucky to have had. In tandem with her work at the KCT you can find Juliann spending her time with friends, family, and exploring the abundance of natural spaces that the Atlantic Northeast has to offer.
juliann@kporttrust.org | 207-200-5414

Leia Lowery- Executive Director - The Climate Initiative

Leia graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, along with a M.S. in Vocational and Technical Education. With classroom and non-traditional teaching experience, Leia specializes in creating dynamic education programs to produce critical thinkers, life-long learners, and productive citizens of the future. She is also the co-founder of The Climate Initiative which was born out of the education programs here at the Trust. The Climate Initiative works with the Trust formulating a model for community and education-based action to create resilient landscapes in the face of our changing climate. You can find more information about The Climate Intiative at TheClimateInitiative.org.

leia@theclimateinitiative.org I 207.967.3465 x 113

Shelley Fleming Wigglesworth - Staff Writer

Shelley is an award-winning journalist specializing in maritime topics and the commercial fishing industry. A fourth generation native of the Kennebunks, she is well known in the community for her articles on people, places and issues that resonate with readers. She is the mother of two grown children. When she is not writing, she works on the commercial fishing vessel The Nor’easter. You can find her stories in the following publications: The Village Magazine, The York County Coast Star, Yankee, National Fisherman, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East, Maine Lobstermen's Association’s Landings and others. She is also the author of the Nunans of Cape Porpoise book.

tomlis@gwi.net

Board of Directors

**Ashley Baker Koch**
Ashley became a member of the KCT board in 2024. Born and raised in the Kennebunks, she has deep roots in the community. Ashley and her husband, Adam, met while attending Kennebunk High School, and they now reside with their two children, Haven and Florence, in a home they built on Adam's family land at Blackrock Farm. Ashley is a dedicated Kindergarten teacher at Kennebunk Elementary School.
Throughout the challenges of online teaching during the Covid pandemic, Ashley and her children found solace in the KCT trails, making it a daily tradition to explore a new trail and try a new recipe. Inspired by the peace and connection to nature that the trails provided, as well as her role as an Assistant Lighthouse Keeper at Goat Island Light, Ashley was motivated to become more involved with the Trust.
Her favorite Trust activities include painting at Goat Island Lighthouse (both siding and watercolors), spending time at Goose Rocks Beach, boating in Cape Porpoise Harbor, and tidepooling at Vaughn’s Island.

Ajeet Grover

Ajeet was born in Boston to a military family and has lived from coast to coast and in Germany. She is a graduate of UMASS Amherst with a degree in International Relations. She is a mother of three, a yoga instructor, and an IT Manager for an international company. Ajeet and her children have spent much time at the Trust properties over the years where all four find inspiration, and where cherished memories continue to be made.