Sabrina Hasselfelt: Land Conservation and Stewardship Manager

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

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.”

Ian Shanahan: Communications and Development Coordinator.

A lifelong naturalist, Ian grew up in Northumberland, earned a BAH from Queen’s University and a BEd from the University of Toronto, and then returned to the land of eskers and drumlins to start a family. Over 13 years in the education and interpretation department with Ontario Parks, Ian worked eight seasons at Presqu’ile, one at Charleston Lake, and four at Algonquin, the last of which was spent backfilling as the coordinator of the interpretive program. He next spent five years as General Editor of Green Teacher magazine and three years as Director of Communications with Worldwide Quest, with whom he previously led small-group nature tours to domestic and international destinations. Ian continues to support the Outdoor Learning School and Store as Project Coordinator.

Ian is a keen nature artist and writer as well as performing artist. He loves exploring the outdoors with his partner and children.

“Nature conservation and stewardship are increasingly essential, and land trusts provide a direct path to achieving both. It is a duty and a privilege to be part of the Northumberland Land Trust, especially at a time of such exciting organizational growth.”