Unfolding Our Future
A Strategic Plan for 2023-2028
LETTER FROM CORMAC COLLIER, PRESIDENT & CEO
As the Nantucket Conservation Foundation completes the celebration of its 60th anniversary, it has been wonderful to look back at the accomplishments of these past decades. For sixty years, our commitment to preserving the beauty of Nantucket’s natural resources has remained unwavering as we have acquired over 9,000 acres of protected land. As we look to the future, our newly adopted strategic plan provides the road map for NCF’s growth, ensuring that stewarding the land remains at the forefront of our mission, as well as engaging in impactful ecological research and providing educational and recreational opportunities for year-round, respectful enjoyment of NCF’s properties. In appreciation,
Cormac Collier President & CEO
OUR PROCESS
NCF launched our strategic planning process in July 2022 with an engaging retreat that brought together staff, trustees, and key stakeholders. A steering committee guided the year-long process with small working groups focused on understanding the deeper, impactful role NCF could play in preservation, conservation, and significant scientific research on Nantucket and beyond. Throughout our process, the steering committee updated the board of trustees and staff, seeking input and, ultimately, approval for a refreshed mission statement and the articulation of five strategic priorities that will serve as the map guiding NCF forward.
OUR MISSION
REVISED SUMMER 2023
NCF owns, protects, and stewards over 9,000 acres of land and coastal shoreline, conserves Nantucket’s rare and significant natural resources, and engages in impactful ecological research to inform resource management and further our knowledge of Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and species. We share our environmental expertise with the wider community and provide educational and recreational opportunities to encourage respectful enjoyment and appreciation of our properties.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rick Ulmer, Chair, Strategic Planning, Trustee
John Macfarlane, Chair, Board of Trustees
Todd Knutson, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Arthur Gosnell, Advisor, Past Board Chair
Daphne Mitchell, Trustee
Cormac Collier, President & CEO
Karen Beattie, VP, Science & Stewardship
Dr. Jennifer Karberg, Director, Research & Partnerships
Neil Foley, Interpretive Education Coordinator & Ecologist
Jim Olney, Former Land Use Manager
This strategic plan provides a road map for advancing our mission in this next chapter including:
Raising awareness of the Foundation’s endeavors, informing policy, and elevating the Foundation’s reputation as a leader in conservation and ecology
Expanding our ecological and scientific research and continuing important restoration initiatives
Initiating new partnerships and collaborations on the island and beyond
Engaging the wider community through educational and recreational opportunities
Continuing to steward the land for the enjoyment of residents, visitors, and future generations
RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
Continue the opportunistic acquisition of strategically important properties while conserving, preserving, and responsibly stewarding NCF’s 9,000 acres of existing property.
“The Foundation is building on a 60-year tradition of conserving Nantucket’s unique open spaces. As we create our road map for the next 60 years, we are focusing on the transformational work that keeps NCF relevant, providing unique experiences for islanders, summer residents, and visitors.”
-Rick
Ulmer, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee, Trustee
IMPACTFUL RESEARCH
Advance our reputation as a nationally-recognized leader in ecological and environmental research and restoration programs, utilizing NCF’s properties as a living laboratory surrounded by water.
“The Nantucket Conservation Foundation has long been an outstanding steward of the many fragile and diverse ecosystems that comprise its properties. I am thrilled that the Foundation’s continued evolution will include an enhanced focus on ecological research, conservation, and restoration. Such efforts stand to create significant benefits for the island community and society writ large via fundamental and translational research that ultimately addresses the major environmental challenges facing coastal communities nationwide.”
–Dr. Geoffry C. Trussell, Trustee
EXPANDED PROGRAMMING
Expand the respectful use of NCF’s properties, showcasing Nantucket’s unique natural ecosystems through year-round educational programming and recreational engagement opportunities.
RESPECTFUL ENGAGEMENT
Support a culture and process to ensure that NCF thoughtfully analyzes, develops, and implements opportunities for expanded community engagement on our properties, while complying with our fiduciary responsibility to preserve the ecological health of our properties, respectfully and sustainably.
MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Develop partnerships with leading individual and institutional researchers whose field of study, goals, and methods align with and complement the Foundation’s goals.
“Nantucket is truly a special place to experience and grow with the natural world. Through our programming and education, we seek to sustain life-long learning for this community grounded in NCF’s ecological understanding.”
–Neil Foley, Interpretive Education Coordinator &
Ecologist, M.S.
“If the road to success is always under construction, the recent steps taken by the Foundation will pave the way to achieving greater understanding and stewardship of the lands under the Foundation’s care. This is an exciting new chapter for NCF.”
-Steve Bartram, Trustee
“The resources of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation provide an ideal platform to build extensive local and regional ecological research partnerships. Hosted within the Foundation, researchers and students can use our living laboratory of conservation land and expertise to explore a wealth of research topics with local, regional, and national relevance.”
-Dr. Jennifer Karberg, Director of Research & Partnerships
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