Maine Audubon Reorganizes to Address Economic Challenges

Leading Conservation Organization Streamlines Operations to Protect Programs and Keep its Wildlife Sanctuaries Open to the Public

FALMOUTH, Maine, Tuesday, March 10, 2009—Maine's oldest and largest wildlife conservation organization is reorganizing operations to focus on its core environmental education, conservation, and advocacy projects as well as keep its wildlife sanctuaries statewide open to the public during these challenging economic times. As a result, staffing has been reduced and programming condensed.

"Reorganizing Maine Audubon to fit challenging economic times is a priority that will serve Maine's future and protect the lasting investment our members and donors have made in this organization," said Karen Herold, president of the Maine Audubon Board of Trustees. "With the stock market in the shape it's in, and donations to nonprofit organizations lowered across the nation, it is only prudent to look at Maine Audubon's operations and make difficult choices now."

"Maine Audubon's roots in Maine trace back more than 160 years—and we fully intend to continue working for wildlife conservation across the state for many more years to come."

Maine Audubon's trustees determined cost-cutting actions by working extensively to analyze the organization’s core capabilities, operating costs, fundraising projections, and revenue-generating programs. Herold said the analysis also took into account recent losses to Maine Audubon’s invested assets (known as a nonprofit organization's endowment).

From the pool of 60 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees who serve Maine Audubon annually, 12 positions will be eliminated by September, with severance packages offered.

"It is painful to say goodbye to dedicated staff members," Herold said. "But like so many other businesses and organizations, we need to be realistic about projections and do things differently until the economy improves."

Charitable foundations, too, have seen endowment loss that is substantial, a factor that threatens grant-making to nonprofit organizations and, Herold said, underscores the critical importance of private donations.

"We know that our donors take very seriously Maine Audubon’s longtime leadership role in connecting people with nature and protecting Maine’s great natural heritage. They don’t want to see Maine lose critical opportunities for conservation—or see hard-won wildlife protections erode."

Herold said Maine Audubon’s ability to offer Maine people and visitors access to the outdoors and wildlife "is always important, but perhaps even more so in stressful times, since nature can help soothe anxiety and offer inspiration."

The organization will not cancel already-scheduled public programs and trips, but will reduce the number it normally would schedule. Still, Maine Audubon will offer an impressive roster of educational, nature-based activities for children, families, and adults. It also expects to maintain for public access its key education centers, including Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth, Fields Pond Audubon Center outside Bangor, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center in Scarborough, and Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary south of Greenville.

Herold said Maine Audubon’s staff, trustees, and supporters are greatly looking forward to May 1, when Theodore “Ted” S. Koffman of Bar Harbor will join the organization as executive director. Koffman is a longtime Maine resident, educational leader, and respected conservation champion who was a highly successful co-chair of the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Natural Resources.

"In this challenging economy, Ted Koffman's leadership will help put us in a position to continue our effective work and grow anew," Herold said. "Now is an excellent time for anyone who loves and values Maine to join and support Maine Audubon. In return, Maine Audubon will continue winning protection for our state’s beloved and extraordinary woods, waters, and wildlife."

MAINE AUDUBON works to protect Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action.

Maine Audubon’s public programs and trips, five educational visitor centers for the public, and eight wildlife sanctuaries offer young children through senior citizens wide-ranging opportunities to explore nature and learn about Maine’s wildlife.

Year-round Programs:

Falmouth: Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Maine Audubon headquarters

Holden: Fields Pond Audubon Center

Summer-Fall Programs:

Elliotsville: Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary

Freeport: Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary.

Rockland: Project Puffin Visitor Center

Scarborough: Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Open to the Public; Group Programs by Arrangement:

Biddeford Pool: East Point Audubon Sanctuary

Georgetown: Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary

West Bath: Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary

With more than a 160-year history of connecting people with nature, Maine Audubon is the only organization in Maine working to conserve wildlife in three ways: providing hands-on environmental education for people of all ages, conducting research and wildlife conservation projects statewide, and taking action to help shape effective science-based conservation policy.

Support for Maine Audubon comes from its 11,000 members, donors, and volunteers, including individuals, foundations, and corporations. Maine Audubon is an independently funded and operated affiliate of the National Audubon Society and has local chapters statewide (Downeast, Fundy, Merrymeeting, Midcoast, Penobscot Valley, Western Maine, York County).

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