WHITEFIELD — Libbey Seigars said she’s always admired Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association’s efforts to preserve land and water quality.

Now she looks forward to serving on the group’s eight-member board of directors.

Seigars, who has lived in Whitefield for 24 years and has belonged to the association since 1998, brings years of conservation-related experience to the board, including more than 14 years as director of Unity College’s experiential programs, which focused on environmental studies. She also worked for five years as volunteer coordinator for the Maine Department of Conservation in Augusta.

“Now that I’m retired, I’m excited to have the chance to take a more active role in the organization’s efforts,” Seigars said.

The nonprofit land trust and advocacy group has protected the 58-mile Sheepscot River since 1969. Today, the group says it has helped preserve more than 3,540 acres and 15 miles of riverfront.

Kristin Pennock, the association’s administrative assistant, said Seigars has already started working on the group’s new business program, by which a business can adopt one of the group’s seven preserves with a $500 donation.

The first preserve sponsor to participate in the program is The First bank, which has a branch in Damariscotta.

“We’re just really excited about her enthusiasm and experience,” Pennock said Friday. “The board president said the other day that she brings a breath of fresh air to the group.”

Seigars said she grew up in Caribou and spent summers at family camps on Long and Madawaska lakes.

She and her husband, Steve, love kayaking, and boating in their 22-foot skiff.

Their paddling adventures have included numerous sea kayak excursions along the coasts of Maine, the Canadian Maritime Provinces and Belize, she said.

Seigars said she sees this position as an opportunity to get to know even more people in the area and “take a fuller part in the life of the community, whose members love this beautiful part of the state.”

For more information about Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association go to www.sheepscot.org or call 586-5616.

Mechele Cooper — 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com