Executive Director, William Helprin

William (Billy) has been the Director of the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary on Mt. Desert Island (MDI) since 2015. Billy coordinates multiple wildlife research and monitoring projects; provides professional development for teachers and learning experiences for students aimed at increasing interdisciplinary thinking, raising scientific literacy, and connecting people to their local outdoor environments; and manages the lands and waters that comprise the Sanctuary. Prior to working for the Sanctuary he was Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s MDI Regional Steward where he managed preserves, monitored conservation easements, and worked with many area partners and volunteers on conservation, education, trail, community garden, invasive plant, and research projects. Prior to living in Maine, Billy studied bison and elk on the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming, desert bighorn sheep in southeastern Utah, and large mammal ecology in Kenya. He also taught science for Canton City Schools in Ohio and many field science classes while with the Teton Science School, Great Plains Wildlife Institute, and independently. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Biology from St. Lawrence University, a Masters degree in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Kent State University. Billy greatly enjoys sharing the lifelong learning process and field experiences with others.