Theresa Kerchner

Executive Director

Theresa was hired by KLT in 2002 as the Trust first staff person to develop KLT’s stewardship and outreach programs. In 2009 she became the Trust’s first Executive Director. Theresa oversees the operations of the Trust and works with the Board of Directors and KLT staff to develop and implement organizational, land conservation, and fundraising goals.

Theresa earned a Master's degree in Ecology and Environmental Science from the University of Maine in 2002, where she developed a case study of the land use history of the Jabez Besse farm in Wayne, Maine. Her undergraduate degree is in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University.

In 2009,Theresa and former KLT President Andrew Fisk, led an effort with Morten Moesswilde and Andrew Shultz of the Maine Forest Service to found the Kennebec Woodland Partnership, which now includes thirteen Partners. Theresa’s latest project with Ken Laustsen, also of the Maine Forest Service, is a research paper focused on the potential for developing and sustaining markets for Maine wood.

Theresa and her husband, Jim, garden, raise chickens, split wood, and enjoy their 72 acres of woodland in Wayne. Whenever possible they spend time with their grown children.

Email Theresa: tkerchner@tklt.org

Call: 207-377-2848; Monday - Friday

Jess Dunning

Director of Land Conservation

Jess joined KLT in 2026 with a commitment to conserving natural landscapes and supporting the communities that depend on them. At Skidmore College, Jess discovered a passion for integrating science into policy decisions to strengthen wildlife protections and support healthy, resilient communities. She deepened this passion through her J.D. and Master’s in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law & Graduate School, where she focused on natural resource protection and land use, including her work in the Environmental Justice Clinic. During law school, she also served her community as President of the Student Bar Association and Schweitzer Fellow, while working to strengthen access to resources and support initiatives centered on public service and environmental stewardship.

Her commitment to conservation is also shaped by her experience as an environmental educator with Mass Audubon, where she saw the value of helping people explore their local ecosystems and understand the importance of their environment. That experience continues to guide her belief that lasting conservation depends on fostering meaningful connections between people and the land.

Jess enjoys camping, kayaking, hiking, and exploring Maine’s natural landscapes with friends and family. She is excited to join KLT and support its mission.

Email Theresa: jdunning@tklt.org

Call: 207-377-2848; Monday - Friday

AJ Held

Stewardship Assistant

AJ joined the Kennebec Land Trust in May 2026. She grew up exploring the forests and rivers of western Washington.

AJ moved to Maine in 2022 to study biology at Colby College, where she researched forest health, stewarded the arboretum, and worked on improving outdoor access.

AJ loves exploring Maine's outdoors by foot and by boat, and is passionate about environmental stewardship and sustainably expanding public access. 

Email Theresa: aheld@tklt.org

Call: 207-377-2848; Monday - Friday

Abby Jones-Skrabak

Operations Coordinator

Abby was born and raised in Midcoast Maine, where she developed a love for being on the water and playing sports. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, with minors in Political Science and Theater, from the University of Maine. During her undergraduate studies, she spent a semester abroad in Bulgaria and had the opportunity to travel to several other countries across Europe.

Abby went on to pursue a graduate degree in Communication at the University of Maine, where she also taught undergraduate public speaking courses. After completing her program, she and her husband moved to Chicago, where he taught for Teach For America, and Abby pursued her interest in theater by taking improv classes. After two years in the city, they returned to Maine, where Abby rediscovered her appreciation for her home state. Over the next decade, she gained experience in business and became a partial owner and General Manager of a local flower shop, and was very active in her community.

Abby and her husband love spending time paddle boarding and camping with their two daughters. She is thrilled to support KLT’s mission of partnering with communities to conserve Maine’s land and wildlife.

Email Abby: askrabak@tklt.org

Call 207-377-2848 Monday - Friday

Tyler Keniston

Stewardship Manager

Tyler joined KLT in the Spring of 2019, delighted to be working in the beautiful lands of Kennebec County in which he grew up. Spending time in the non-built environment has long been a passion of his; dating back to childhood canoe trips on Maine’s remote rivers and exercises in imagination with the small ephemeral streams of spring snow melt. His passion for experiencing life out of doors and a desire to foster intimate relationships with the surrounding environment led him to a study of Ecology & Environmental Science at UMaine, Orono.

Following graduation, in 2011, he found a passion for working in Maine’s forested and rocky landscapes as a trail builder with the Maine Conservation Corps. In 2013 he joined the trail company OBP Trailworks, LLC and has since been building and rehabilitating a variety of trail types throughout New England. He has also spent time managing and harvesting White Pine timber stands, enjoying the craft of woodworking, and hiking on foot paths near and far.

Email Tyler: tkeniston@tklt.org

Call 207-377-2848 Monday - Friday

Jean-Luc Theriault

Stewardship Director

Jean-Luc joined KLT in the Fall of 2014 with a strong background in Conservation planning and Trail Construction. Jean Luc worked with the Center for Community GIS in Farmington from 2008-2014 developing mapping technologies for a wide variety of clients from local land trusts to national conservation organizations.

He spent most of his twenties living in Colorado, Oregon, and British Columbia exploring the expansive backcountry on foot, skis, and by bike inspired by the limitless public land available. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Environmental Studies and went on to get a postgraduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Selkirk College in British Columbia. A job as a trail crew leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club on their land near Greenville cemented Jean-Luc's love for the wilderness of Maine and desire to introduce more people to these areas.

Jean-Luc lives in Manchester with his daughter Neika, son Eliot, and wife Laura an Art Teacher at Monmouth Academy.

Email Jean-Luc: jtheriault@tklt.org

Call: 207.377.2848; Monday- Friday

John Whittaker

Membership and Communications Coordinator

John hails from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where he grew up in the Chiquitano dry forest. He studied biology with a focus on ecology at Earlham College in Indiana and has a background in wildlife photography.

His experiences in fieldwork and conservation outreach, along with his work with a local farmers' market, have deepened his connection to sustainable practices and community engagement, fueling his dedication to environmental stewardship.

Email John: jwhittaker@tklt.org

Call 207.377.2848 Monday - Friday

Mitchell Kelley

2026 Summer Intern

Mitchell is excited to join the Kennebec Land Trust as a summer intern. He grew up in Northern Maine, where he spent much of his time outdoors and developed a strong appreciation for forests, trails, and wildlife. His background is in welding and fabrication, and he enjoys hands-on work, problem solving, and learning practical skills which can be directly apply to everyday tasks.

This summer, he looks forward to supporting KLT’s stewardship work, learning more about trail maintenance, conservation, field data collection, and working alongside staff, volunteers, and community members who care deeply about Maine’s natural places. He is grateful for the opportunity to build his conservation skills and contribute to KLT’s mission.

Jonah Wolfe

2026 Summer Intern

Jonah is currently a rising Senior at the University of New England, studying Environmental studies with a business administration minor in the works. He was born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts. Recently, he spent the last couple summers in Seward, Alaska where he worked at a tool and machine rental, learning many new incredible skills while also seeing some incredible scenery.

Some of his hobbies are hiking, disc golfing, and fishing which he is excited to keep doing this summer while also being a part of the Kennebec Land Trusts team. He is excited to work with the KLT to learn more about how land trusts work, as well as learning more about conservation methods and trail maintenance.