Kathryn Strand

When Andy Brand talks about plants, his whole face lights up. It’s the unmistakable glow of someone who has spent a lifetime, quite literally, growing things. Andy grew up in the northeastern corner of Connecticut, in a family where agriculture wasn’t just an interest, but a way of life. His father, a professor in agricultural economics at the University of Connecticut, also ran the two-year agriculture school and served as interim dean more times than Andy can count. The family garden was...

The Preserve honors the lives and legacies of two wonderful individuals who brought out the best in people with their kindness, humility, and warmth. Their presence will be profoundly missed at the Preserve and across Mount Desert Island. Sheldon (left) and Cliff (right) participate in volunteer lands maintenance with the Preserve team led by Director of Natural Lands, Tate Bushell (center). Sheldon Goldthwait, Jr 1938 – 2026 Sheldon’s deep roots on Mount Desert Island shaped a lifetime of...