Our New Strategic Plan
Presented by Liz Hall, Hall Collaborations
For well over a year, the board and friends of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust worked on its latest strategic plan. The goal was to reflect upon where we’ve been, assess the status of where we are and then set in place a series of goals and objectives to get us to where we want to be in the future. Led by consultant Elizabeth Hall, the board and its various committees solicited the insights and feelings from a wide range of community members.
“KCT has a 50-year record of success thanks to the organization’s visionary leadership and an incredible community of people who are willing to work hard and devote themselves to protecting lands and resources that make Kennebunkport what it is,” said Hall. “This process enabled us to document the goals KCT’s leadership seeks to achieve over the coming years, and to record KCT’s core values and vision in an effort to preserve its community-centered culture for generations to come.”
In May of 2024, the plans were approved, adopted, and finalized. A vision for the future was thus established, with a mission of serving, preserving and being stewards of the land; to learn from its rich ecology and history, to protect and restore its diverse habitats, to be inspired by its natural beauty, and to connect people with nature through education and experience.
The 10-page plan embraces the idea of working in the present, while honoring and learning from the past. It seeks to build a better future for the generations of people, plants, and wildlife that are to come in a healthy and sustainable way, one that ensures that each member of the community is able to experience the comfort, joy, and magical moments that manifest when on the land and out in nature. Values in the plan are centered around love and respect for the land, waters, and the animal and plant life that surround us, with the belief that access to a healthy environment is vital for human health and wellbeing, and that shared access should nurture connection, inclusivity, and community. The Trust’s goals will remain much as they have been; to protect and conserve land and habitat for the benefit of the greater community, to steward lands and properties with respect for the past and sustainability for the future, and to engage all generations in educational programming that connects people to nature and our landscape.
“Our new strategic plan is much like a vow,” said Tom Bradbury, “representing who we wish to be, while acknowledging the effort it will take to get there. But as I always remind people, ‘together we can do great things!’”
Written by Shelley Wigglesworth
Mission
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust preserves and stewards land to learn from its rich ecology and history, to protect and restore its diverse habitats, and to be inspired by its natural beauty. We connect people with nature through education and experience.
Vision
Kennebunkport Conservation Trust envisions a future where:
Every member of our community is able to experience comfort, joy, and magical moments that manifest when on the land and out in nature.
Our entire community has a deep-rooted connection to our lands and coast, and a great pride in the shared responsibility of protecting these precious natural resources.
The towns of Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Arundel work closely together to preserve the region’s wildlife areas, habitats, and special spaces.
KCT has the resources, skills, and humanpower to optimize the stewardship of our lands, utilizing traditional and best conservation practices.
Our regional landscape and seascape serve as leading incubators for climate resiliency solutions, and communities across the globe benefit from technologies and practices developed here.
State, regional, and federal policies enable and promote the use of cutting edge practices to combat the effects of climate change on our natural and built environments.
Archeological efforts result in a broader understanding of the region’s history and the traditions and lives of the peoples who inhabited this place for many thousands of years.
Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Arundel collaborate to enrich the lives of students and learners of all ages by sharing knowledge of the history, geology, and ecology of the region.
Values
We are motivated by love and respect for the beautiful land, waters, and the animal and plant life that surround us.
We believe access to a healthy environment is vital for human health and wellbeing. Shared access should nurture connection, inclusivity, and community.
KCT welcomes everyone to contribute to our shared goals which, we believe, can be a joyful experience!
We work in the present, honoring and learning from the past to build a better future for generations of people, plants, and wildlife to come. We endeavor to work in a healthy and sustainable way.
We have everlasting gratitude for our community members whose donations of land or resources have enabled the Trust’s success. Their generosity will not be forgotten.
We have the courage to face reality and to be creative and bold in transforming challenges to opportunities. We are always learning.
We are one community player amongst others and we collaborate for maximum impact and far-reaching benefits. Together we can do great things!
Goals
Protect and conserve land and habitat for the benefit of the greater community.
Steward lands and properties with respect for the past and sustainability for the future.
Engage all generations in educational programming that connects people to nature and our landscape.
Collaborate with partners to adapt the Kennebunkport landscape and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Build community and engage local citizens as active participants in KCT's mission and work.
Increase multi-faceted fundraising and strategic investments to support ongoing operations and future opportunities.
Build organizational capacity for expanded impact and success.
