Baxter State Park is searching for a new director as the current Director Eben Sypitkowski, will start a new position at the Nature Conservancy in Maine next month, according to a report.
Beyond the pandemic, Sypitkowski has spent the majority of the past three years establishing stronger connections with other parks across the state, as well as with other agencies such as Maine Forest Service and search and rescue organizations,
He has also focused on the park’s team of 22 year-round employees and 47 seasonal workers.
Sypitkowski stated that it could be difficult to handle an increasing number of visitors while also managing the park even without a pandemic.
This is why for the park director, finding time to enjoy the park helped him stay focused and energized. He urged his successor—whoever it may be—to schedule time to enjoy similar things.
“One of the best things and one of the most restorative pieces about being in this role is that occasionally you can take those days and put them on the calendar and make sure that you actually get out into the park and into some of these wonderful wilderness places,” he said.
Sypitkowski’s last day is on Friday. The Baxter State Park Authority is conducting a nationwide search for a replacement, Sypitkowski told a local report.
Exciting times ahead at Baxter State Park! The search for a new director means fresh opportunities to collaborate with other parks and tackle the challenge of managing increased visitors. Let’s ensure conservation efforts and visitor experiences thrive under new leadership. It’s a pivotal moment for the park’s future growth and sustainability. Let’s make the most of it!
I’m really curious about who’s up next as director at Baxter State Park and how they’ll handle the visitor vs. conservation challenge. It’ll be cool to see how they carry on from Sypitkowski and strengthen ties to keep the park thriving!