Position Overview

Mahoosuc Land Trust (MLT) seeks a dynamic and creative leader to guide our fl agship education initiative, Habitat for All (HFA), into its next chapter. Rooted in the one-of-a-kind Habitat for All Garden at Valentine Farm—our experiential and community place of practice—this role blends horticultural leadership, environmental education, and community engagement.

The Director of Habitat for All is a key member of a small, collaborative team working to advance MLT’s mission of inspiring action through conservation—uniting people, land, and community to create thriving places and a healthy environment for all. The Director serves as the creative and horticultural lead of the Habitat for All Garden and leads complementary educational programming that champions the belief that everyday actions in gardens, yards, and woodlands add up to meaningful change for our region and the planet.

This work is central to MLT’s community-powered model, connecting conservation, recreation, education, health, and economic well-being.

The Habitat for All Program

Habitat for All is the educational initiative of Mahoosuc Land Trust. The program offers a wide array of learning opportunities—including webinars, walks, talks, festivals, and workshops—designed to inspire participants to deepen their understanding of the natural world and to take action locally, in their backyards and communities, to support a healthy and diverse environment.

Grounded in the belief that collective individual actions can create meaningful change, Habitat for All complements MLT’s conservation of more than 25,000 acres of ecologically important land, including waterfalls, iconic mountaintops, working farms and forests, boat landings, and dozens of miles of multi-use recreational trails.

The Habitat for All Garden

The Habitat for All Garden at Valentine Farm is the cornerstone of the Habitat for All Program. This intensively planted, naturalistic garden is designed to delight and inspire visitors while demonstrating how gardens can function as both human sanctuaries and vital habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

The garden encourages visitors to see themselves as conservationists—taking meaningful steps at home and in their communities to create change. It features a mix of native, near-native, and non-native plants selected for ecological value and inspiration, and includes a demonstration vegetable and fruit garden, useful plants garden, wildlife hedge, and Anna and Oliver’s Basecamp, an area of discovery and delight for kids and families.

Director of Habitat for All: Role & Expectations

We are seeking a talented, mission-driven individual to steward this program into the future through creative program development, community leadership, and thoughtful expansion. The Director will:

• Work within the guiding philosophy of the Habitat for All program and MLT’s strategic framework to enhance biological diversity in the garden and across the regional landscape 
• Bring curiosity, knowledge, and passion for nature, with a belief that regular engagement with the natural world can lead to personal transformation and meaningful conservation action
•  Enjoy sharing knowledge and enthusiasm with diverse audiences
•  Serve as an active team member within MLT, helping colleagues explore new ways of thinking about conservation
•  Participate in the philanthropic work of MLT, including donor and community engagement

Responsibilities

Garden Leadership

• Provide a high level of horticultural expertise, including deep knowledge of ornamental and edible plant systems
• Design, maintain, and evolve the Habitat for All Garden using sound ecological horticulture practices
• Research and source plants and seeds; collaborate with a local greenhouse for propagation
• Work with volunteers to maintain and expand garden infrastructure, signage, and educational elements
• Supervise and collaborate with seasonal garden staff

Education & Events

• Plan and lead educational programs and events connected to the Habitat for All Garden and the region’s natural landscape
• Coordinate three major annual festivals in collaboration with the Habitat for All and festival committees
• Recruit, support, and work with guest speakers 
• Oversee marketing and registration for all educational programs and events
• Engage with visitors in and beyond the garden
• Serve as a public speaker and ambassador for the program
• Contribute articles to local and regional publications

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train, and support volunteers across garden work, festivals, Storybook Walks, committees, and other Habitat for All programs 
• Foster an inclusive, energized, and mission-aligned volunteer community

Organizational Support

• Participate in grant writing and sponsorship development
• Develop and manage project budgets in collaboration with the Finance & Operations Manager

Qualifications & Skills

Required

•  In-depth knowledge, curiosity, and passion for plants and the natural world
• Demonstrated experience in a public garden, garden education, or similar setting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with and training volunteers
• Proficiency with social media and digital communication tools 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously
• Physical ability to perform garden work, including lifting up to 40 pounds

Preferred

• Experience teaching workshops or leading public programs
• Basic carpentry or garden-construction skills
• Photography or visual storytelling skills