MTC Appoints New Director, Leigh Hallett
Hello, Maine Trails Community!
Last October I attended the Maine Trails Coalition statewide gathering in Winthrop and left filled with optimism.
I’d met people who were doing incredible work on the trails and in their communities, reconnected with some old friends and colleagues, learned that the trails bond was almost sure to pass, and heard about the Coalition’s plans to develop more structure and resources.
As the summer of 2025 draws to a close, much has changed since that convening last fall. The Maine Trails bond passed by a wide margin, and the Bureau of Parks and Lands is moving forward briskly with the new program, with an initial application deadline in just a few weeks (9/26/25). MTC has completed a strategic planning process and developed a reshaped Leadership Group (more on that soon). And MTC’s Trail Until Rail Team celebrated success this spring when the Legislature passed bills supporting progress towards railbed adaptation in several key areas. (Read more about MTC’s work last year in this blog post.)
Another change brings both organizational and personal ramifications: the Leadership Group recently selected me as Director to lead the coalition into its next stage of development. It’s wonderful to tap into the energy and optimism of MTC again, and I’m eager to learn from the organizations and individuals involved! Having worked at both the systems and program level, I look forward to amplifying MTC and the collaborating organizations and helping to fulfill the vision of the many people who have been involved thus far.
During a career largely focused on natural resource management (see more here), I’ve worked with state and federal government agencies, farmers, wildlife rehabilitators, museum curators, and world-class eventing horses (the most demanding bosses of the lot).
Most recently I was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and also spent years as Director of Resource Development for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Previously I’ve also served as executive director of the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets and Avian Haven, growing those small nonprofits in terms of operations, funding, staff, and program capacity.
And now, as director of MTC, I look forward to working with the organizations that make up the Coalition, as well as trail users, builders, stewards, and advocates. And I’m eager to collaborate in MTC’s goal to “grow stronger, connect more communities, and be the spark that drives lasting change.” Thank you for your work, and please keep in touch! (mainetrailscoalition@gmail.com)
-Leigh Hallett
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