Betsy Cook

As our state program director for Maine, Betsy is committed to ensuring all Mainers have equitable access to the outdoors. Betsy joined us in 2017 and during her time has worked with communities across the state to create over 25,000 acres of new public lands, parks, and community forests. Previously, Betsy worked with the New England Forestry Foundation, and Triangle Land Conservancy and Duke Forest, both in Durham, North Carolina. Betsy discovered the power of public lands during her summers working in the White Mountain National Forest’s backcountry hut system. Betsy holds a BA from Cornell University and Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry from Duke University, where she completed her thesis on community forests. Betsy lives in Portland and enjoys exploring all corners of Maine by cross-country, hiking, and paddling with her spouse, Jesse, and energetic dog, Banjo.