Emma has been with the District for 3 years. She comes to the District with experience in environmental education, educational outreach, and event coordination. Emma received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from UMass Amherst. She fought wildland fires out west and taught English in China before returning to New England, where she enjoys kayaking, gardening, and foraging for wild mushrooms. She has been teaching outdoor education both formally and informally for almost ten years, working at nature centers, forest preschools, in classrooms, and freelance. During her time at the District so far, she has developed a youth education program for local schools--delivering lessons on soil, water, wildlife and forestry to many schools and youth groups across Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties. She has hosted dozens of unique programs for the public within the District--getting locals involved in agriculture, foraging, recreation, and more. She has inspired other Districts and organizations to host similar events across the state. Emma also is our project manager for watershed management, helping towns and lake associations access federal grant funding to clean up our lakes, ponds, and streams.
Sarah Torresen joins the District with experience in ecological landscape design, regional planning, and community agriculture. After graduating from Rice University with a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology, she worked as a planner at the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments focusing on regional conservation. She received a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Northampton, Massachusetts in 2023. Upon her return to Maine, she is excited to spend as much time as possible outdoors, learning on the land in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties.