Nomination Statement for Northern New England Region Candidate
Edward (Ted) Graham

I have the interest, commitment and experience to serve on the Terrafirma Members Committee, representing the Northern New England region.  As a long-term land trust board member I know that Terrafirma fills a critical need to help ensure conservation permanence.  A fundamental aspect of each land trust’s mission is to protect easements and preserves against violations and legal challenges in perpetuity, challenges that are certain to increase in the future.  However, most land trusts do not have the resources to mount a legal defense if and when needed.  That Terrafirma struck a responsive chord nationally is reflected in the fact that 454 land trusts across America now participate.

My involvement with land trusts dates to 1986, when I became a charter member of the American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) in Maryland.  I served ACLT as a volunteer, a board member from 1999 until 2011, and president from 2005 until 2011.  In New Hampshire, I serve on the boards of the Francestown Land Trust (FLT) in Francestown and the Piscataquog Land Conservancy (PLC) in New Boston.  The former is all-volunteer; the latter has permanent staff.  I supported participation in Terrafirma by each of these land trusts and have been FLT’s point person for Terrafirma.  I am retired from a career in water resources that involved a broad range of technical, policy, regulatory and management positions which will be invaluable for my role as a committee member.  For example, I regularly reviewed, prepared and summarized policies, regulations and legislation and convened user groups with responsibility for implementation.  I frequently prepared and presented policy and technical papers and worked with private organizations and governmental agencies at all levels.  I have reviewed the specific responsibilities and desired attributes of a committee member and believe that my skills and interest are a good fit.  I intend to foster regular two-way communication to help keep the northern New England land trusts informed about the status and future of Terrafirma and to ensure that any member concerns and recommendations are reported to Terrafirma for consideration.  If elected, I look forward to an active and productive term on the committee.