Next up in our “Meet the PRLTeam” series, let’s get to know Toby Jacobs, our Program Manager. If you frequent PRLT preserves, it’s more than likely you’ve run into Toby clearing trees, fixing bridges, or removing river blockages. He also heads up our water quality monitoring program, maps future trail systems, and so much more.
Toby started working for PRLT in 2016 and is now the longest-standing member of our team. He has spent over 15 years working for environmental organizations and has a Master’s in Conservation Biology. In Maine, he has surveyed the City of Portland’s trees, managed volunteers in Portland’s urban gardens, monitored shellfish areas for the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and maintained miles and miles of land trust trails. Internationally, he has managed conservation projects in Costa Rica and Honduras.
Get to know Toby with us:
Where did you grow up?
I spent my early years on Hatteras Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but I’ve been in Maine since 4th grade and lived in Brunswick through high school. After returning to the Mid-Atlantic for college, I came back home to Maine and have been in the greater Portland area since. I currently live in Freeport.
How did you come to work for PRLT?
For much of the time in and after college, I wanted to do academic research in tropical ecology. However, as I spent more time in Maine as an adult, I developed an appreciation for the unique and beautiful natural spaces Maine has to offer and for the importance of contributing to conservation in your own community. Working with PRLT has been a natural and fantastic way to help preserve these natural areas and showcase them to everyone who lives here.
What’s your favorite PRLT property?
We have many great preserves, but Mill Brook Preserve always stands out for the unique wilderness experience it offers so close to downtown Westbrook. It is also impossible to beat the amazing spectacle of the alewives climbing the rapids each spring.
What’s your favorite way to get outside?
Bouldering is my favorite outdoor activity in all seasons, and we are lucky to have a lot of great spots for it in the greater Portland area due to Maine’s dramatic geological history. The great work of conservation organizations has also made many areas with dramatic boulders and ledge publicly accessible.
How else do you spend your time outside of work?
I have two young and rambunctious sons, and we get up to all sorts of adventures inside and out. We love swimming, hiking, and of course climbing. When not with them, I play ultimate frisbee and enjoy trail running and hiking.
Quick! What’s your favorite…
Mountain – Mt. Chirripo in Costa Rica
River – Presumpscot!
Craft project – pen and ink nature drawing
Podcast – The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast
Poet – Longfellow
Travel destination – Monhegan Island
Coffee shop – European Bakery
Musician – They Might Be Giants
In one sentence, why PRLT?
Working with PRLT is an amazing way to contribute to local conservation in both wild and suburban areas, and I enjoy every day!
How do we reach you?
toby@prlt.org, 207-200-4833