A Climate to Thrive grew out of the shared vision of a diverse group of Mount Desert Island residents, born over potluck picnic tables in the fall of 2015. Since our origins, we have prioritized community-driven design and implementation in solutions. As such, we are truly constructed of and for the MDI community.
We are currently steered by our Staff and our Board of Directors.
Who We Are
Johannah Blackman, Executive Director
A founding member of A Climate to Thrive, Johannah is honored to serve as ACTT’s Executive Director. Johannah brings together over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, over twelve years of experience in climate action, and a background in education, youth mentorship, and counseling psychology. Johannah’s particular passion is helping anyone and everyone discover their unique contribution to climate solutions and building community-driven climate action throughout Maine and beyond. She is an avid writer, explorer, and a mother. Contact Johannah.
Staff Team
Beth Woolfolk, Manager of Renewable Energy Planning and Policy
Beth grew up on Mount Desert Island and has her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Maine Orono. Over the past several years, Beth has taken a deep dive into the field of solar in Maine. Particular focus areas include: grid flexibility in the renewable energy transition, interconnection of solar, financial modeling for solar ownership, community-driven and responsible solar siting, and increasing access to solar ownership benefits. Beth is an avid gardener and dog lover. Contact Beth.
Wilson Haims, Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Since graduating, Wilson has contributed to climate and conservation related field work, policy and community engagement in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Wilson is passionate about fostering enduring and reciprocal relationships between communities and the land on which they reside and she looks forward to furthering this work at ACTT. Wilson is a hiker, runner, artist and aspiring gardener. Contact Wilson.
Gus La Casse, Manager of Municipal Strategy & Policy Coordinator
Gus is from Trenton and grew up hiking in the mountains of Acadia National Park. He graduated University of Maine Orono with a B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Ethics, completing focused research in hydropolitics and the intersections of people, place, and policy. Empowering people and pursuing creative solutions for rural communities is the cornerstone of Gus’s approach. When Gus isn’t working, you can find him playing fiddle, adventuring, or philosophizing over a cup of coffee. Gus is provided grant-funded, specific climate action and resilience support to the towns of Mount Desert and Tremont and is overseeing policy research. Contact Gus.
Alison Bligh, Executive Assistant
Alison was born and raised in Upstate NY and moved to Maine in 2017 to attend College of the Atlantic. After graduating in 2021 with a major in Human Ecology and focus on Marine Biology and Environmental Policy, she held several positions on Mount Desert Island that enabled her to connect and converse on local issues and solutions. Alison was a member of the first iteration of ACTT Climate Ambassadors and now serves as Executive Assistant, providing significant operations support for the organization. Contact Alison.
Angie Flores, A Climate to Thrive Intern
Angie is from Lima, Peru, and is dedicated to working across fields, communities, and visions to facilitate bridges that build power within communities to effectively affect change. She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic, where she focused on climate politics and political ecology. Her work involves facilitation, climate education, and participatory processes, emphasizing intersectional practices and a commitment to climate justice. Angie also enjoys dancing with friends, biking in Acadia, exploring new places, and trying out new recipes
Board of Directors
Joe Blotnick - Tremont Former co-coordinator for A Climate to Thrive. Facilitator of educational and leadership development programs for over three decades.
Kevin Buck - Tremont Board of Selectman, Town of Tremont; Member of Tremont Sustainability Committee; retired from telecommunications industry, builder of energy efficient housing, former VP, Village Green Arts Association
Ken Colburn, Vice Chair - Bar Harbor Principal of Regulatory Assistance Project; Former Air Director for New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services; Climate/Energy speaker at Kyoto Protocol meetings
Caleb Davis, Chair - Bar Harbor Owner of Songscape Gardens; Graduate of College of the Atlantic
Andrew Griffiths, Treasurer - Bar Harbor Former Administrative Dean of the College of the Atlantic, former Treasurer and Vice President of Finance and Administration for the WGBH Educational Foundation, former lecturer at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Babson College, and Brown University. Lives in Bar Harbor with his wife, Susan.
Margaret Jeffery - Bar Harbor Lawyer, Law Office of Margaret T. Jeffery with a focus on Real Estate; Margaret is a multi-generational Mainer. She and her husband have raised three sons on Mount Desert Island. Margaret is a member of the Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force.
Dr. Steven Katona - Bar Harbor Founding faculty member of the College of the Atlantic, who served as a professor of biology and Director of Allied Whale until becoming President of COA from 1993-2006.
Dennis Kiley, Secretary - Mount Desert Therapist in private practice; Founder and Director of the EcoPsychology Initiative.
Misha Mytar - Bar Harbor Senior Project Manager at the Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Serves on the Hancock County Committee at Maine Community Foundation.
Ezra Sassaman - Bar Harbor Advocacy Coordinator for Maine Climate Action Now. Chair of the Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force. Serves on the Maine Sierra Club Executive Committee.
Barbara Tennent - Holden Former grant writer and associate director for research administration for the Jackson Laboratory’s Cancer Center on Mount Desert Island. Founding member of the Holden Land Trust. Former participant in the Climate Ambassadors Program. Volunteer grant editor for ACTT. Active grandmother for four lively grandchildren.
Ania Wright - Portland Legislative and Political Strategist for Sierra Club Maine. College of the Atlantic alumnus. Cofounder of Maine Youth for Climate Justice.