The Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s Board of Directors has appointed Anne Brewer, of Lake Placid, NY, as its new chair.
Brewer takes the helm after three years of leadership from Don Hudson, of Arrowsic, Maine. Hudson will remain on the board.
“Don leaves some big shoes to fill,” Brewer said. “His leadership brought us through some lean financial years; today, despite some major obstacles, the NFCT is well-positioned to continue providing quality stewardship work across the Northern Forest region as well as promotion of paddling and outdoor recreation, mapping and GIS services, and trip planning support.”
“The coming year will be pivotal for us as we prepare to take over management of the Adirondack Watershed Alliance and its signature events, including the Adirondack Canoe Classic,” Brewer added. “As a lifelong paddler and a resident of Lake Placid, I’m energized about this opportunity to carry forward the legacy Brian and Grace McDonnell have established with these events.”
“I learned to paddle a canoe along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and those experiences put me in a place to help the trail grow nearly 60 years later,” Hudson said. “When I passed the baton to Anne Brewer during our November board meeting, I breathed a sigh of relief, yet also a sigh of deep satisfaction for the privilege and opportunity to work on one of the world’s great long distance trails.”
Brewer, an avid outdoor sports enthusiast, earned a degree in International Business and Communications from SUNY Brockport. She is the managing editor for LOCALadk magazine and operates her own summer business — Placid Waters Kayaking.
The NFCT board also welcomed two new members in 2020: SJ Tinker and Kristine Keeney. Tinker, of Bowdoinham, Maine, works on the administrative team at the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb, Maine. She also runs a small garment repair and upcycling business called the Maine Tinker Tailor. Keeney, of Greenwood, Maine, is the New England coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance. She also serves on the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s Board of Directors and the advisory committee of the Center for an Ecology Based Economy.
“Our team is beyond grateful to Don for his service, and to Anne, SJ and Kristine for stepping up to lead us as we head into 2021,” said Karrie Thomas, NFCT’s executive director. “For an organization with four staffers, serving a canoe trail that connects four states and one province, it’s critical that we have a diverse and knowledgeable board that can keep us informed and plugged in at the grassroots level.”
