Keene, NH - March 20th, 2025 – The Monadnock Conservancy’s Board of Trustees announced today that Amanda Littleton has been appointed to the role of executive director of the Monadnock Conservancy. Amanda has over 20 years of local experience working to support the region’s farmers, improve local water quality and climate change resiliency, protect local wildlife habitats, and educate the public on the importance of environmental stewardship. Amanda will begin working for the Conservancy on May 1st, 2025.
Amanda comes to the Conservancy from the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD), where she served as district manager for the past 18 years. During her tenure, Amanda established the NH Farm Future Fund to finance the protection of local farmland, launched Monadnock Menus, a food hub that helps local farmers access larger markets for their products, and partnered with local food sellers to improve on-farm infrastructure and encourage sustainable farming. Amanda also created a number of impactful programs and initiatives including the Climate Resilience grant program which has invested over a million dollars into improving the region’s resiliency in the face of climate change, the Conservation Opportunity Fund, a grant program for landowners to improve wildlife habitats on their property, and the forestry and farm rental program, which helps farmers improve water quality and prevent soil erosion.
“The Board of Trustees is honored and excited to appoint Amanda Littleton as the next executive director of the Monadnock Conservancy,” said Peter Hansel, President of the Monadnock Conservancy Board of Trustees. “For the past 18 years, Amanda has served as district manager for the Cheshire County Conservation District, supporting our local farmers and improving climate change resiliency, protecting our precious wildlife and vital water resources, and being an active member of our community. Amanda has the professional and personal skills to lead this organization, and this region, into a healthy and verdant future.”
Littleton also serves as a board member for the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation, the Monadnock Farm & Community Coalition, and the Conservation District Employees Association of NH. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Abe Wolfe Land Protection Award from the Monadnock Conservancy and the President’s Award from the NH Association of Conservation Districts. Amanda lives in Chesterfield, N.H. with her family.
"I'm honored to be joining the team at the Monadnock Conservancy,” said Littleton. “I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated staff, board, and community partners to achieve our shared vision for conserving natural resources and deepening our communities' connection to the land.”
Lacy Gillotti, who has served as the interim executive director since the departure of the Conservancy’s former executive director, Ryan Owens, in October, will resume her previous role as deputy director. The Board of Trustees thanks her for her hard work shepherding the organization through this transition.
About Monadnock Conservancy
The Monadnock Conservancy, founded in 1989, is the only land trust dedicated exclusively to the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire. Serving 39 towns and the City of Keene, its mission is to work with communities and landowners to conserve the natural resources, wild and working lands, rural character, and scenic beauty of the region. Based in Keene, the Conservancy is an accredited organization that has protected more than 24,000 acres of forests, farmland, shorelines, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and recreation trails. For more information, please visit www.MonadnockConservancy.org or call 603-357-0600.