BHHT's James W. Dow and Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Interns: In Their Own Words | Photo Credit: Russ Brookes | |
This year, Blue Hill Heritage Trust welcomed three wonderful interns for the summer season: James W. Dow interns Eleanor Cowan and Lydia Sullivan, and Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation intern Emilie "Casey" Casey. Each one of them brought intelligence, curiosity, humor, and a real willingness to jump in wherever they were needed.
They worked behind the scenes at development events, created and led their own public outreach programs, and spent countless hours getting their hands dirty while working on various stewardship projects. They asked good questions, tried new things, took initiative, and brought fresh energy to everything they did.
And somewhere along the way, they became a more than a team — they became friends. Watching them work together, laugh together, and support one another was one of the best parts of the summer.
Their last day with us was Friday, August 14. We asked them to share some thoughts about their overall experience, which you can read below. We’re incredibly grateful for all they contributed to our organization, the land, and the communities we serve. We will miss them very much, but we’re excited to see where their curiosity and creativity take them next!
Eleanor Cowan:
The James W. Dow internship program has been an amazing experience providing a broad range of learning opportunities and new experiences. From planning our own outreach events, to being involved with climate resilient forestry practices at Surry Forest, and even learning how to build a bridge at Patten Stream, I have been able to engage in all facets of land trust work. The staff at BHHT is extraordinarily knowledgeable and welcoming. Working with these passionate people has allowed me to further develop my career goals as I have seen first hand the wonderful work that this team can accomplish.
However, by far my favorite part of the summer has been interacting with the wonderful community that supports the trust. It is amazing to see the ways in which land conservation efforts bring people together. It has become increasingly clear to me that to care for the land is to care for the community and to be a part of that this summer has been so rewarding. Through all these experiences I have gained knowledge about the Maine environment and confidence in new technical skills. It is my hope to find my way back to community based land conservation work once I graduate college. I could not be more grateful for my time spent on the Blue Hill Peninsula and the connections I have made this summer!
Lydia Sullivan:
The James W. Dow internship program has been a transformative experience in countless ways. What stands out the most in the diversity of work we do. We have gained a well-rounded experience through stepping into a wide range of responsibilities and tasks. It is a balance of hands-on land stewardship and community connection.
From physical trail work, to planning and executing our own educational outreach events. It has really provided a full-picture view on local conservation in action and all the different aspects of a land trust. Above all, it is the people here who make this place and experience so special. Working alongside the dedicated staff at BHHT and the community members have made this experience all the more enjoyable and fulfilling. It has shown me how much conservation is a collective effort, deeply rooted in shared love for the natural environment. At the end of this internship, I will leave with practical field skills, lasting connections, and a profound appreciation for the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Emilie "Casey" Casey:
My summer as a Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation intern at Blue Hill Heritage Trust has absolutely set me on a path of a lifetime of stewardship. When I started, I didn’t even know how much I didn’t know. All I was hoping for was a summer of growth, and I got far more than I could’ve imagined. The community at Blue Hill is so dedicated to their land, and I am so privileged to have met such a fascinating and wonderful community. Learning the intricacies of Maine’s ecosystems, understanding what threatens it and how I can help, and banding together to restore and support the land has taught me so much about what it means to be a part of the outdoors, not merely a visitor.
Being surrounded by intelligent and hard working people has shown me the power of a couple sets of hands helping to take care of our land. I feel so grateful for everyone I’ve met through BHHT and all the wisdom they’ve shared. The staff here at the trust runs like a well oiled machine, each person giving what they can according to their strengths and coming together to make a huge impact. Working with my fellow interns, Lydia and Eleanor, has been so wildly fun. They each are so knowledgeable about their field of interest, and I feel so lucky to not only learn from them but laugh with them too. This summer has been filled with memories that I will keep with me for life. Getting to go outside and do the hard work with Ella, Emily and Andrew has taught me so much about what it means to be a steward. After spending hours maintaining a trail (or weeks building a bridge), it's hard to describe the feeling of accomplishment and pride that comes from stepping back and seeing how our work has transformed the land. Talking with Megan, Brooke, Harlie, and George about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything afloat has been eye opening, and has sparked my interest in environmental law and land acquisition. We all know and love the wonderful trails, but there’s a quiet reverence for the land we leave untouched, conserved for the native plants and animals to thrive in. There’s so many facets of land trusts, yet each part contributes to our responsibility for the land we live on.
The opportunities to learn and use new tools have been invaluable, and the physical and mental strength I’ve gained will always stay with me. This internship inspired me to keep working in this field and do my part, and I’m so excited to see where this experience takes me. Thank you, Blue Hill!
Click HERE to learn more about Blue Hill Heritage Trust's James W. Dow Internship Program. BHHT aims to fund two or more positions each year.
Click HERE to learn more about Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program. BHHT was selected to host one intern from this program in 2026.
| | Photo credit: Russ Brookes | | Photo Credit: Harlie Burke | | |
August and September
BHHT and Community Events
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Family Beach Walk
August 17, 2026 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm
Scott's Landing Preserve, Deer Isle, ME
Join us for a fun shoreline exploration event for families and kids of all ages! Learn about the interesting creatures that call our intertidal zone home, the challenges they face, and how we can safely look at them up close. You will be joined by staff from Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Healthy Peninsula, and Island Heritage Trust. Please note that trails and shoreline areas have varied terrain and rocks can be slippery - if you have any accessibility concerns please get in touch with us. Snacks will be provided, and we will have nets and buckets on hand. Drop in anytime during these hours, and no registration is required. All are welcome!
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Chewonki Presents: Predators - The Balance of Nature
August 20, 2026 @ 11:00am - 12:00pm
Brooksville Community Center, Brooksville, ME
What are some commonly-held myths about predators, and what problems do they face? During Chewonki's slide show, activities, and discussions, we will see predators in the context of food webs and natural cycles. Families will explore attitudes toward predators and reasons for their decline throughout history because of habitat loss and human interference. Discussion of current events emphasizes the importance of predators in maintaining the world’s ecological balance. Participants have the opportunity to study mounted animals and see three live, non-releasable predators. Sponsored by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Register HERE.
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Chewonki Presents: Fins and Flippers
August 20, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Brooksville Community Center, Brooksville, ME
This presentation begins with examining the four major groups of marine mammals, their special adaptations for keeping warm, finding food, and breathing air in the marine environment, and the many threats they face. Participants then work together as a group to reconstruct a Pilot Whale skeleton. Reassembling this once-living puzzle creates an ideal format for discovery and discussion of the relationships between form and function. Sponsored by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. **Please note that there are no live animals as part of this presentation** Register HERE.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Walker Pond - Brooksville
August 20, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for a hands-on afternoon of trail improvement on Thursday, August 20th from 1–4 PM at our new property on Walker Pond in Brooksville. Help us enhance this beautiful property and make it even more enjoyable for visitors. We’re preparing the preserve for an upcoming new trail. We’ll gather at the Walker Pond trail parking lot in Brooksville. To volunteer, contact: stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
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BHHT Staffed Change for Good Table
August 21, 2026 @ 11:00am - 2:00pm
Blue Hill Co-op, Blue Hill, ME
The Blue Hill Heritage Trust has been named the August 2026 recipient of the Blue Hill Co-op's "Change for Good" program! This program highlights a different non-profit every month, and helps raise funds and generates support for local causes.
Stop by the Co-op during these hours to visit our BHHT staffed table. Learn about current and upcoming projects, peruse our merchandise, or just say hello. We look forward to seeing you there!
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**EVENT FULL**
Landscape Interpretation Guided Walk With Tom Wessels
August 22, 2026 @ 9:00am - 11:00am
Location Provided Upon Registration
Join Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Tom Wessels for a guided landscape interpretation walk on local BHHT trail. This walk will focus on reading the forest's history including past agricultural use, wind events, logging, and fire. Tom will also point out unique adaptations of our regional trees plus intriguing co-evolved interrelationships that abound in our forest ecosystems. This event is full, so contact us to be added to a waiting list!
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Ferry Landing
August 27, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for a fun and impactful afternoon on Thursday, August 27th from 1–4 PM at Ferry Landing Natural Area in Brooksville!
Spend some time outdoors, meet great people, and help us
care for this beautiful coastal property.
We’ll be tackling invasive multiflora rose, clipping and pulling back these thorny plants to help native species thrive. Thanks to volunteers like you, we made great progress last year—and we’re excited to keep the momentum going as we work toward removing it from the property over time. We’ll gather at the Ferry Road parking area. To volunteer, contact: stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
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Plein Air Painting with Watercolor and Oils - Leslie Anderson
September 9, 2026 @ 9:00am - 12:00pm
**Rain date is September 11, 2026
Caterpillar Hill Overlook, Sedgwick ME
Join Sedgwick artist Leslie Anderson for a fun, three-hour exploration of outdoor landscape painting, what the French call "en plein air," at BHHT's Caterpillar Hill overlook. Painting the landscape can be overwhelming, and this workshop will help you choose a focal point by using a viewfinder, refine your composition through thumbnail sketches, and produce a finished painting in three hours using big brushes.Participants should have some experience in plein air painting. Materials list will be sent to participants in advance of the program. This event is free but space is limited to 8 painters. Registration is required. Sign up HERE.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Blue Hill Mountain
September 10, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Blue Hill, ME
Help us protect this special place while enjoying fresh air, great company, and hands-on conservation work. Invasive plants are an increasing challenge across Maine, and Blue Hill Mountain is no exception. We’ll be working together to cut back invasive bittersweet, helping restore native habitats. We’ll gather at the Hayes Trail parking lot (the large lot at the top of the hill). Can’t make it right at 1 PM? No problem—feel free to join us anytime during the afternoon. Everyone is welcome—no experience needed. To volunteer, contact: stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
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Storybook Trail with the Brooksville Free Public Library
September 11 through September 20, 2026
Meadow Brook - Mill Stream Trail, Brooksville, ME
Join the Brooksville Free Public Library and the Blue Hill Heritage Trust for a fun and family-friendly Storybook Trail.
Enjoy a walk through nature as you read a story along one of BHHT's increased accessibility trails at Meadow Brook - Mill Stream. It's the perfect way to combine the joy of reading with the beauty of the outdoors. Once you complete the trail, head over to the Brooksville Free Public Library to collect your prize!
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Walker Pond
September 17, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Brooksville, ME
Help us enhance this beautiful property and make it even more enjoyable for visitors as we prepare for an upcoming new trail. We’ll gather at the Walker Pond trail parking lot in Brooksville.
We recommend that volunteers bring/wear water, work gloves and sturdy boots or closed-toed shoes (the terrain may be wet).
Can’t make it right at 1 PM? No problem—feel free to join us anytime during the afternoon. Everyone is welcome—no experience needed. To volunteer, contact: stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
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Beach Cleanup with BHHT and the Shaw Institute
September 19, 2026 @ 10:00am - 12:00pm
**Rain Date is September 20, 2026
Carter Nature Preserve, Surry, ME
Celebrate Maine Coastal Cleanup month with us! All community members are welcome to participate. Bags and gloves will be provided. Please note that trails and shoreline areas have varied terrain. Participants are advised to dress appropriately for both the outdoor weather and the tasks involved. No registration required. Contact the BHHT office at 374-5118 or the Shaw Institute at 374-2135 for more information.
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BHHT Volunteer Day at Ferry Landing
September 24, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Brooksville, ME
Spend some time outdoors, meet great people, and help us
care for this beautiful coastal property. We’ll be tackling invasive multiflora rose, clipping and pulling back these thorny plants to help native species thrive. Thanks to volunteers like you, we made great progress last year—and we’re excited to keep the momentum going as we work toward removing it from the property over time. We’ll gather at the Ferry Road parking area. Everyone is welcome—no experience needed. To volunteer, contact: stewardship@bluehillheritagetrust.org or call our office at 374-5118.
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P.O. Box 222
Blue Hill, Maine 04614
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