Meet the Staff
Missisquoi River Basin Association employs a hard working, dedicated staff of professionals to accomplish the crucial work being done across the watershed.
Lindsey serves as the Executive Director for both the Missisquoi River Basin Association and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee. A biologist by training and inclination, for a time Lindsey specialized in surveying for endangered bats; she is still involved with bats through the Vermont Bat Center and will happily talk your ear off about some of her favorite animals. She grew up in Brookfield, Vermont, and now resides in Jay, where she loves to explore rivers both new and old with her husband and their many pets (or at least the dogs).
Lindsey Wight, Executive Director
Ellen serves as a Project Manager for the Missisquoi River Basin Association. She helps to plan and implement riparian tree plantings, performs water sampling, works with the community to move toward responsible stewardship of river and floodplain resources. Ellen grew up along the Great Miami River in western Ohio and seeks to rebuild our human connection to the landscape, particularly to rivers. When she isn’t working on a project, she spends her time tending a flock of dairy sheep, cheesemaking, providing consultation on food safety, and serving in municipal government positions to address land use regulation.
Ellen Fox, Project Manager
Sarah serves as a Project Manager for the Missisquoi River Basin Association and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee. Originally from Georgia, Vermont, she spent much of her time growing up exploring the Missisquoi watershed on horseback, skiing, and hiking. After studying biology at college in New Hampshire, she is excited to have returned to the northern Vermont area. She started serving for us through the VT DEC ECO Americorps program in 2021, and has stuck around with us since. She helps manage several projects including the Knockout Knotweed project, riparian plantings, community outreach, and more! In her free time, she is a volunteer ski patroller at Jay Peak, enjoys hiking with her dog Pearl, and spends as much time outside as she can exploring the Green Mountain State.
Sarah Lunn, Project Manager
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Ruby serves as the Watershed Engagement Coordinator for the Missisquoi River Basin Association and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee. She grew up in and still lives in Burlington, discovering a love and appreciation for the natural world early on in life. Ruby graduated in 2024 from Southern New Hampshire University on campus studying environmental science and biology. In her free time, Ruby likes to spend all the time she can outside, tending to her garden and houseplants, and listening to music.
Ruby Bratcher, Watershed Engagement Coordinator
Aaron serves as the Riparian Nursery Manager for the MRBA. He will be responsible for building a new native tree and shrub nursery, working with stakeholders to develop infrastructure, plan business operations and oversee the day-to-day operations of the nursery. Aaron grew up in Nebraska along the Missouri River. In 2009, he moved overseas working and travelling, and after earning a Master's degree while living in Egypt, Aaron moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked in Middle East policy for about 10 years. At the end of 2022 Aaron bought a small farm in Westfield, enjoying the peace and quiet of the NEK.
Aaron Hesse, Nursery Manager
Pearl serves as our fluffy mascot and office guardian. She loves to assist with site visits, and also to greet (bark) at people coming to the office (even if she knows them). Her favorite field activity is digging holes during tree planting! You can keep up to date with her (Read more about Pearl in Pearl's Corner!