Amelia Nadilo named new executive director of York Land Trust

YORK, Maine — The York Land Trust board of directors recently named Amelia Nadilo as its new executive director.

Nadilo most recently served as the director of the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program on Catalina Island in California, an educational partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society.

As director, Nadilo managed outdoor education programs for school-aged groups on topics including marine science, ecology, organic gardening, and trail restoration. She recently relocated to the Seacoast with her young family and looks forward to fostering her dedication to community and the environment in her new role at YLT.

With a bachelor’s of science in secondary education from Penn State University, Nadilo previously worked as an educator and program director in New Hampshire as well as in Croatia, Italy and Thailand. Her experience in leadership and program management position her well to carry on the work of YLT’s current executive director Doreen MacGillis, who announced in February that she would be stepping down from her role that she has held since 1999. MacGillis will assume the role of land acquisitions consultant.

“Amelia brings the energy, strategic thinking, collaborative skills and commitment to conservation that are critical to York Land Trust’s growth as an organization,” says Cliff O’Connor, president of YLT’s board of directors. “We eagerly look forward to her leadership.”

Since it was founded in 1986, YLT has protected more than 3,000 acres in the town of York, including more than 1,500 acres in preserves open to the public. The Trust’s current strategic plan emphasizes increasing public access to its preserves and expanding the number and diversity of people connected with the organization.

As an advocate for inclusivity, social change, and connecting youth with the outdoors, Nadilo is eager to carry forward and expand on these efforts. She will lead the Trust through its ongoing efforts to address climate change by working with the town of York to implement its voter-approved Climate Action Plan, conserving more land throughout the town and working collaboratively with its partners to achieve conservation goals within the greater York area through the Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative.

“I am so thrilled to join the York Land Trust team,” says Nadilo. “I cannot wait to continue championing the efforts of this meaningful organization and of the devoted people who have contributed to its mission.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Amelia Nadilo named new executive director of York Land Trust