Sabrina Hasselfelt: Stewardship and Operations Coordinator

Sabrina has a degree in Environmental and Resource Science from Trent University in Peterborough, and a Certificate in Urban Forestry from Fleming College. She has a variety of experience, working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in their parks department and as an Erosion Monitoring Technician in their restorations department. She also spent a lot of time working with turtles, as a Research Assistant for the Latin American Sea Turtle Association in Costa Rica, and as the Turtle Road Ecology Lead at The Land Between Charity in Haliburton. Before joining NLT, Sabrina worked as a Conservation Technician with the Nature Conservancy of Canada where she assisted managing and maintaining 30,000 acres of land across Hastings County.

Sabrina grew up camping in Algonquin park and has a love for reptiles and amphibians. She is excited about working with NLT and exploring new natural areas!

Amanda Newell: Executive Director

Effective July 1, 2025

Amanda grew up in the heart of Northumberland wandering creeks, forests, and farm fields. She had family adventures from Ganaraska Forest to Peter’s Woods, and from Cobourg Beach to Rice Lake. She fell in love with trees, birds, and bugs in her backyard and along country roads. This led to a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, where she focused on biology, conservation, and ecological restoration.

Amanda has worked on major wetland restoration projects in the private sector, developed grassland conservation and restoration efforts with First Nations, and spearheaded various programs designed to support positive connection between humans and nature with Ontario land trusts.

Amanda has lived and worked across southern Ontario and in British Columbia. She’s had fun exploring the world through travel and photography, her favourite far away places being coastlines and mountain tops. Close to home, she’s happiest in her garden and walking in the woods with her kids.

Years of balancing home life and her own small businesses taught Amanda invaluable lessons on life and entrepreneurship. Most recently, Amanda has been with Kawartha Land Trust coordinating their Partners in Conservation program, where she experienced firsthand how a land trust can impact whole landscape conservation.

Amanda has gained a diverse set of skills in fundraising, project management, strategic planning, ecological stewardship, volunteer relations, public outreach and education, marketing, and collaborative partnership development.

“Working to maximize NLT’s positive impact on conservation is the best place to put my energy”, says Amanda. “This land shaped me, and ensuring these sacred places persist to help raise future humans who care about the natural world is a no-brainer. I’m excited and honoured to help NLT grow into the next chapter.”