The James W. Dow Internship Program was conceived in November 2016 to honor Blue Hill Heritage Trust’s first Executive Director, who served for 15 years (2001 to 2016). A native of Belfast, Maine, Jim graduated from Belfast Area High School later attending Princeton University, and the University of Maine Law School. Before joining BHHT, he worked for a private law firm, for a statewide environmental advocacy organization, and as a senior staff member of the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, including service as its Director of Land Protection. Jim served as the Steering Committee Chair of the Maine Land Trust Network for two years and prior to taking on the directorship he served on the all-volunteer board of Blue Hill Heritage Trust for seven years.
In addition to land conservation, Jim’s other passion was high-school basketball and the youth of the area. He coached both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams for countless years, developing lasting relationships with many of the “lasses” and “lads” as they progressed through their academic and professional lives. Jim was also inspired to bring high school and college students to BHHT and let them experience the many facets of land trust work. He loved the energy that young people brought to the organization and imparting his knowledge and love of nature, conservation, and sustainability, over their summer stay with BHHT.
As a tribute to Jim’s service, wisdom, and love of this peninsula, BHHT has developed an Internship Program and a dedicated endowment that, over many years, will provide funding for his legacy of nurturing youth involvement in conservation, nature, and sustainability.
An initial contribution was made in August 2017, after the approval by BHHT’s Board of Directors to create the program. The creation of the James W. Dow Internship Fund (JWDIF) was passed by BHHT’s Board of Directors in October 2017. The eventual goal is for the program to be entirely funded by the JWDIF, though initially BHHT will fund an intern through their annual operations budget until sufficient restricted funds are available to draw upon for the program. BHHT anticipates funding for two or more intern positions annually (seasonal) with the hope for longer-term as the need and projects arise.
Should you have any questions concerning the James W. Dow Internship Program, please contact us at info@bluehillheritagetrust.org
To make a contribution toward the James W. Dow Internship Program, please click here. On your check or credit card form, please be sure to specify that you would like your donation directed towards this fund. Thank you!
