Dawn Morgan, Fred Nelson, Karin Chamberlain, and Paul Costello are the newest members of VLT’s Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees guides our mission to protect, steward and restore the farms, forests, and community spaces that define Vermont.
New Trustees serving on VLT’s Board
- 3 Min Read
- May 7, 2025
Dawn Morgan of Greensboro, VT
Dawn works in a family consulting business providing forestry, ecology, land management, and mapping services to Vermont landowners, many of whom are enrolled in the State’s Current Use Program. Her work includes GIS mapping, forest inventory, ecological assessments, and landowner communication.
Dawn’s background is in geology, wetland ecology, and conservation planning. Her graduate work and employment with the University of Maine Wildlife Department focused on vernal pools and strategies for balancing habitat and human needs. Her other interests include growing food, creating art inspired by the natural world, exploring far northern landscapes, nordic skiing, and long-distance hiking.
Fred Nelson of Shelburne, VT
Fred has worked for 25 years on community-centered conservation solutions focused on eastern and southern Africa. There, he worked with Maasai communities and played a leading role in global collaborations that span land rights, wildlife conservation, and ecotourism.
He is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Maliasili, based in Essex Junction, which supports local and community-based conservation organizations in Africa. Nelson has been a Doris Duke Conservation Fellow and Henry Arnhold Conservation Fellow.
Karin Chamberlain of Etna, NH
Karin focuses on food and agriculture in Vermont and Greater New England through her work on alternative and community investments at Clean Yield Asset Management of Norwich, Vermont. She previously worked for consulting firm KLD Research & Analytics and was a livestock production volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Ecuador.
Karin also serves on the board of the Vermont Electric Power Company and is a guest lecturer on sustainable business and investing.
Paul Costello of Montpelier, VT
Paul served for over 20 years as the executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, helping rural communities set priorities, make plans, and find resources. He has spearheaded programs to advance working landscapes and community leadership, and facilitated policy for rural development in the state.
Paul has also served on numerous boards and Governor’s commissions, including the Climate Action Team and the Local Support and Community Action Team of the Vermont COVID-19 Recovery Task Force.
We are grateful to all our Trustees
“We are delighted to welcome Dawn, Fred, Karin, and Paul to our board. Their expertise in the fields of forestry, community conservation, farming and sustainable finance, and rural development, respectively, will be invaluable as our organization works to protect and restore the home we share. We’re grateful for their service.”
— VLT President & CEO Tracy Zschau.
Learn about our board
