Auburn – Jonathan LaBonte is leaving his position at the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT), after six years as its Executive Director. He submitted his letter of resignation to the Board of Directors on Monday, June 2, explaining that he had been appointed to the position of Director of Maine’s Office of Policy and Management by Governor Paul LePage.
“In one’s career, unique doors of change at times open, and this is where I find myself today,“ said LaBonte. The Land Trust Board has always known that LaBonte was interested in exploring career opportunities in state and perhaps national government. “He is a natural leader, who is a passionate visionary for our community and State. It was only a matter of time before we lost him to bigger opportunities,” commented Judy Marden, the Board’s current President.
“In his nine years as part of ALT, Jonathan has brought energy, vision, and visibility to the organization,” Marden added. LaBonte joined the ALT Board in the summer of 2005, and shortly thereafter became President of the Board of Directors. LaBonte became ALT’s Executive Director in 2008. “As we searched for the right person , it became clear that the best person for the job was already on the Board,” said Marden, who has served on the Board of ALT for most of its 25 years.
As Executive Director he has accomplished many important projects throughout the organization’s service area, which covers nineteen municipalities . ”He[LaBonte] was a major force in the process of expanding and giving State Park status to the Androscoggin Riverlands Preserve. He secured grant funding and organized citizen input to create an extensive plan for the Androscoggin Greenway. He identified opportunities for land and water-based trail connections along the river between Interstate 95 to the south and Gulf Island Pond to the north. During his tenure as both President and Executive Director, the Land Trust protected approximately 2500 additional acres of land including natural areas, working farmland and recreational trails,” noted Jim Pross, ALT’s Vice President, in an email listing some of ALT’s accomplishments during LaBonte’s tenure
“Jonathan is well-known for saying that he can paddle to work in his kayak from his home in New Auburn, upriver to ALT’s office in the Gritty’s block. Thanks to his energy in starting guided paddling excursions during Balloon Festival launches, canoes and kayaks on the Androscoggin are now a common sight on warm summer days Downtown. This attitude shift about the River and the lands around it is a part of Jonathan’s legacy as ALT’s Executive Director,” Marden said.