Steve Spencer, Principal
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Steve is a conservation, recreation and nature based tourism professional with more than 30 years of experience |
Backcountry Recreation Planning and Implementation
Worked with colleagues, advisory committees and stake holders to develop and implement recreation management plans for 32 public wild land tracts ranging in size from 125 to 43,000 acres in all Maine ecosystems from alpine to marine
Planned, designed and oversaw construction and maintenance by staff, contractors and volunteers of hundreds of Maine backcountry outdoor recreation facilities over a 25 year period: hiking trails (93 miles in 17 networks), picnic areas, interpretive centers, remote campsites, vehicle access campgrounds, and boat launches
Wrote and administered grants to fund research and development and stewardship of recreation facilities. Wrote environmental permits to authorize facility development
Worked extensively with volunteers in position development, recruitment, supervision and recognition
Planned, designed and oversaw construction and maintenance by staff, contractors and volunteers of hundreds of Maine backcountry outdoor recreation facilities over a 25 year period: hiking trails (93 miles in 17 networks), picnic areas, interpretive centers, remote campsites, vehicle access campgrounds, and boat launches
Wrote and administered grants to fund research and development and stewardship of recreation facilities. Wrote environmental permits to authorize facility development
Worked extensively with volunteers in position development, recruitment, supervision and recognition
Eco Tourism Assessment and Planning
Participated in the founding of Marshall Islands Tourism Association which laid a foundation for modernizing tourism in the Marshall Islands. Reviewed MI National Tourism Plan at the request of the Director of the MI Tourism Authority
Served on the Maine Governor’s Nature Based Tourism Task Force, worked with other tourism experts and providers to develop and link thematic components of regional itineraries
Managed tourism promotion/public information on backcountry recreation program: grant writer/administrator and steering committee member for Leave No Trace in Maine video; write recreation brochures, magazine and newsletter articles, and press releases
Worked as a wilderness fishing guide in Tongass National Forest in Alaska providing high quality fishing, eco touring and wilderness dining experiences for guests
Developed implementation plan to establish community based sea kayak tourism program in Ostinal Nicaragua as conceptualized by US AID and US Forest Service. One of the project objectives is to provide an income alternative to harvesting endangered sea turtle eggs
Taught sea kayaking leadership at Unity College as adjunct faculty and as consultant training guides for Paso Pacifico in Nicaragua
Served on the Maine Governor’s Nature Based Tourism Task Force, worked with other tourism experts and providers to develop and link thematic components of regional itineraries
Managed tourism promotion/public information on backcountry recreation program: grant writer/administrator and steering committee member for Leave No Trace in Maine video; write recreation brochures, magazine and newsletter articles, and press releases
Worked as a wilderness fishing guide in Tongass National Forest in Alaska providing high quality fishing, eco touring and wilderness dining experiences for guests
Developed implementation plan to establish community based sea kayak tourism program in Ostinal Nicaragua as conceptualized by US AID and US Forest Service. One of the project objectives is to provide an income alternative to harvesting endangered sea turtle eggs
Taught sea kayaking leadership at Unity College as adjunct faculty and as consultant training guides for Paso Pacifico in Nicaragua
Water Trails Planning, Design and Liaison
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Played a leadership role in the founding of Maine Island Trail Association, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and North American Water Trails an advisory group supporting start up water trail organizations
Served as agency liaison during the founding of Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors and Maine Wilderness Guides Organization Co-leader in planning and designing water trail routes and camp sites for the Maine Island Trail and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Served as volunteer technical expert for North American Water Trails, consulting with start up water trail efforts and organizations Presented on water trail development and management at numerous national, state and local conferences |
Stewardship of Community Conserved Lands
Steve served as the Stewardship Director for the Damariscotta River Association from 2010-2015. In that capacity he supervised the management of preserves owned by the DRA and a number of partner owned lands. DRA has a robust conservation easement portfolio and Steve supervised the CE monitoring program.
During Steve's tenure DRA sought and was awarded Accredited Land Trust recognition from the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Steve was responsible for all land stewardship aspects of the application and drafted policies governing the conservation easement amendment and enforcement. He also drafted management plans for each of the 19 preserves detailing conservation and recreation infrastructure goals and objectives. He also wrote baseline documents (current conditions report) for conservation easements |
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Volunteer Management
Steve has extensive experience in all aspects of volunteer management in both the governmental and non profit sectors. He has created program and position descriptions; recruited and selected individuals and groups; and supervised and recognized volunteers. Volunteer groups have included Maine Island Trail Association, LL Bean, Appalachian Mountain Club, local public schools, land trusts and community service groups.
Steve has extensive experience in all aspects of volunteer management in both the governmental and non profit sectors. He has created program and position descriptions; recruited and selected individuals and groups; and supervised and recognized volunteers. Volunteer groups have included Maine Island Trail Association, LL Bean, Appalachian Mountain Club, local public schools, land trusts and community service groups.
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Partnerships
Throughout his career Steve has found innovative and effective ways to design, build and work effectively within partnerships with external organizations. During his twenty years with Maine Parks and Lands Steve was the liaison with numerous non profit organizations and other governmental agencies such as the Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Island Trail Association, Outward Bound, Acadia National Park and Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
These partnerships developed nationally acclaimed land trails such as the Grafton Loop and the Bold Coast hiking trails and water trails such as the Maine Island Trail and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. They collaborated on education programs such as Leave No Trace and conservation land acquisitions. Steve also has extensive experience representing the non profit sector partnering with governmental and non profit agencies to accomplish significant conservation successes. |
