Staff

Emily Alger, Executive Director

Executive Director Emily Alger stands in the woods, looking over her shoulder at the camera.

Coming from a long line of Vermont farmers, storekeepers and teachers; and raised in an old school house in Grand Isle, Emily is guided by strong sense of place and deep commitment to her community.  Emily joined SHLT in 2009, working as Programs Director for 6 years before being appointed Executive Director in 2015. Emily’s particular interest is the connections that people form with the landscape in which they live. Emily values engagement with agriculture and natural areas, access to local (and delicious) foods, community gathering spaces, and gardens. She is very pleased to be able to promote these passions within the community through her work with South Hero Land Trust. She loves spending time outdoors with her family, whether on the trail or at the farmers’ market.

Contact Emily by calling 802-372-3786 or emailing Emily@SHLT.org

 

Guy Maguire, Director of Programs

Guy grew up in Portland, Oregon and fell in love with the outdoors at a young age. Following his passion for nature led him to Olympia, Washington to attend The Evergreen State College, where he received his bachelor's degree in restoration ecology. Following school, Guy had stints as a field botanist, restoration coordinator, environmental educator, and vegetable farmer.

Guy and his wife Danielle moved to Vermont in 2017. He started his position at SHLT soon thereafter. Guy is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with his dogs, hiking, kayaking, gardening, reading, and playing guitar.

Contact Guy by calling 802-372-3786 or emailing Guy@SHLT.org

 

Jenna O’Donnell, Director of Engagement

Jenna moved to Vermont in 2013 to pursue a degree at the University of Vermont. At the time, she believed it was a temporary move…and over a decade later, she’s grateful to have found a home and community that shares her love of the outdoors, vibrant food systems, and connection with others. After seven years of community engagement and network building at Hunger Free Vermont, Jenna was honored and thrilled to join the team at South Hero Land Trust in 2023. Outside of work, you’ll find Jenna playing with her husband and two young children, gardening, or enjoying all the ways to be active and outside in Vermont’s (many) seasons. 

Contact Jenna by calling 802-372-3786, or emailing Jenna@SHLT.org

 

Board

 

Matt Bartle

Matt Bartle grew up visiting his grandfather in South Hero, and as an adult returned to live here with his wife, Kristen, and their three children.

Matt founded Wally’s Place: Bagel and Deli, with the goal to provide the community with a healthy and delicious alternative to the current trends of breakfast and lunch eateries.

He works with local farmers to feature local vegetables, fruits, eggs, and meats on the menu. Matt named Wally’s Place after his grandfather, Walter "Wally" Niebling, who was known in the community for his generosity and support of the local food shelf. As a small business owner, SHLT board member, and active community member, Matt and his family continue the tradition of working to build community and support our neighbors.

Matt currently serves as Vice President of the South Hero Land Trust Board of Directors.

 

Bob Buermann

Board member Bob Buermann smiles while sitting in an Adirondack chair.

Bob Buermann is a 9th generation Islander who believes that we are caretakers of the land. After a 34 year IBM career Bob continues to be a part-time farmer at Paradise Bay Farm with his wife Ann, and has also become a full-time volunteer. In addition to his work with South Hero Land Trust he has represented South Hero on the Northwest Regional Planning Commission Board, the Northwest Solid Waste District Board, and with Green Mountain Transit. His interests are a combination of environmental and social, helping to ensure minimal human impact on the environment while helping everyone to be productive members of society.

 

Bob Chutter

Board member Bob Chutter smiles while looking to his right.

Bob Chutter, his wife Karin, and their two children Gaelan and Hillary, moved to South Hero in 1993. Bob engaged in the local community from early on by serving on the school board and organizing and coaching teams in the local Island Soccer Club for many years. His interest in land conservation began from a hunting trip in 1991, with a relative who had conserved his land in the Mad River Valley. Bob is a Software Manager and Engineer at BioTek Instruments and an avid gardener of vegetables and small fruit trees.

 

Natalie Kendrach

Board member Natalie Kendrach holds a chicken wearing a purple hat.

Natalie Kendrach and her husband, Mitchell Rutkowski, moved to South Hero in 2019 with their two children, Olivia and Henry.  After growing up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, Natalie fell in love with the rural setting of South Hero, the community here, and her flock of chickens.  She has worked with children her whole life, teaching at elementary schools in Ohio and an outdoor school in California.  When her children were born, she connected with a non-profit organization called Hike It Baby, and led hundreds of hikes for parents and children in Saratoga Springs region of New York.  Natalie firmly believes in the healing potential of nature and has raised her children to love being outdoors.  In addition to her work with South Hero Land Trust, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Worthen Library and works as an Interventionist at Grand Isle School.  She is excited to combine her passion for education, nature, and literacy with her work for South Hero Land Trust. 

Natalie currently serves as Secretary of the South Hero Land Trust Board of Directors.

 

Kelsey O’Connor

Kelsey and her husband Phelan (along with dogs Potato, Hank, and Malia) own the conserved Landon Farm, where they run Pigasus Meats. Kelsey and Phelan began farming in North Carolina while attending Warren Wilson College. Kelsey, a psychology major, became passionate about animal health and well-being while managing the College farm’s farrow-to-finish pork operation. She continues to work in healthcare as an RN at the UVM Medical Center. Kelsey sees farming as a way to be proactive stewards of the land, provide humane animal husbandry, produce high-quality food products through a pastured system, and engage actively with our community.

 

Lisa Pendolino

Board member Lisa Pendolino stands in front of a canal in Venice.

South Hero is a special place and Lisa is grateful that land conservation is an important part of her community.  Her greatest passion is spending time with her two teenage kids and her husband. Skiing, sailing and traveling are their favorite family pastimes. Lisa is the Managing Director of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation.  While she is not directly involved in making ice cream, she has an appreciation of what goes into making something that people enjoy while also giving back to the community. In addition she is thankful to the many farmworkers who pick the good food we put on our table.

Lisa currently serves as Treasurer of the South Hero Land Trust Board of Directors.

 

Reina Warren

Board Member Reina Warren stands in front of Lake Champlain.

Reina T. Warren, a professional teacher and environmental educator, has lived in South Hero since 1993. She joined the board of SHLT in 2001. In 2002, she created The Lands, The Farm and Me, a partnership program between farmers, teachers, parents and community members designed to teach Folsom School students, first hand, about the value of the local agricultural and natural resources. Reina, in conjunction with other parents and in partnership with SHLT has designed and led hundreds of field trips and in-school programs on a wide range of ag and natural resource topics. She brings her passion for working with elementary and middle school students and the land to her role on SHLT’s board.

Reina currently serves as President of the South Hero Land Trust Board of Directors.