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Cheri Dunning began serving as Executive Director in August, 2023, after nearly four years as the volunteer Commissioner from the town of Baldwin.
Cheri’s background is in environmental science, beginning with a Bachelor of Science from Unity College in Maine, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing her studies in 2007. Her work since then has included forest restoration in the New York City parks system, land stewardship coordination, invasive species control, environmental education, land protection projects, and leading the Three Rivers Land Trust as their first Executive Director. She has professional connections across southern and mid-coast Maine and a passion for protecting the character and environmental health of our region. In her free time, Cheri loves spending time in her garden in West Baldwin (producing way too many cucumbers) and taking opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and vibrant landscapes of Maine.
Please contact Cheri if you have questions about any of the Commission’s programs.
John Boland, retired from a 36-year career as a fishery biologist for Maine’s Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife. He served as the Director of The Fisheries Division, and upon retirement as the Director of the Bureau of Resource Management, overseeing all fishery and wildlife resource management issues for the State. He keeps current with fishery and wildlife issues, as well as public access, legislative, and conservation issues.
He has served on a variety of boards and councils including the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Directors Association, The Atlantic Flyway Council, The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, and various fishery councils and committees. In retirement he has volunteered his time with the Royal River Conservation Trust, Back in the Mainstream (veterans organization), Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum and others. He is currently a fly-fishing instructor at L.L. Bean.
When they are not at their camp in Oquossoc, John lives in New Gloucester with his wife Sandy. He enjoys gardening, hunting and fishing. They have two grown daughters, two grandchildren, and a spoiled yellow lab.
The environmental compliance officer handles all necessary enforcement actions on the commission’s behalf and ensures the compliance of all existing commission orders.
Please contact John if you have questions about compliance.
Jillian Emerson earned her B.S. in Microbiology/Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Quinnipiac University in 2008. After her degree completion she spent 10 years working in academic research in the Department of Molecular and Systems Biology (formerly Genetics) at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. Most of her work was focused in the area of circadian rhythms using a model fungal organism, Neurospora crassa. In 2018, she earned her ASCP certification in molecular biology (MB, ASCP(CM)). She is currently also the Water Quality Coordinator for Green Mountain Conservation Group in Effingham, NH.
The water quality monitoring program manager, hired by the executive director, oversees all facets of the water quality program. Jill develops annual water quality reports for all 20 corridor towns, including recommendations to preserve water quality based on the data collected through the program. She also works with the Maine DEP to ensure the program meets all QAPP (Quality Assurance Project Plan) requirements.
As the Administrative Assistant, Haley Lachance assists the executive director in administrative and operational tasks. Haley has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Conservation Biology from the University of Rhode Island. During her time there, she worked with the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience (SMILE) Program to encourage 4th and 5th-grade students, from underrepresented communities, to pursue higher education and involvement in STEM fields. She is a lifelong resident of Southern Maine and delighted to be working with the communities within the Corridor to protect the Saco River Watershed.
Please contact Haley with questions about the permit application process.
Emma Pierotti is the water quality coordinator for the Saco River Corridor Commission. In this position she takes water samples from test sites along the Saco River, transports equipment to testing sites, and records and uploads data at the SRCC office.
Emma has lived in the area since 2010, and she currently stays on her family’s farm in East Baldwin. Soon after moving to Maine, she was motivated to start a career in protecting and conserving the state’s natural resources, and joined the SRCC in 2023. While quite new to the field, Emma cares greatly for the work the SRCC does and hopes to continue working with them in the future. As she works with the SRCC, Emma is also studying to earn her environmental science degree at the University of Southern Maine.
Please contact Emma with questions about the water quality monitoring program.
The Saco River Corridor Commission is committed to protecting public health and safety and the quality of life for the state of Maine. The commission regulates land and water uses, protects and conserves the region’s unique and exceptional natural resources, and prevents the detrimental impacts of incompatible development. The commission was established in 1973.