Bringing years of nonprofit management experience, Carol Treadwell recently joined Whitefish Lake Institute as its finance and grant manager.

Treadwell previously served as executive director for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Association and the Ausable River Association in New York. Her experience includes expertise in grant writing and financial planning.

Treadwell says when she first moved here being interested in the work done by the Whitefish Lake Institute she hoped to work for the nonprofit, but wasn’t able to get the opportunity until a position opened up recently.

“You drink the water from Whitefish Lake so keeping tabs on what’s happening with the lake on a detailed level is important,” she said. “It’s important to monitor what changes are happening and counteract the negative changes for the next generation.”

Treadwell has a doctorate in Earth and environmental sciences and held faculty positions at Middlebury College, Green Mountain College, and the State University of New York where she taught geology, geomorphology, and environmental science.

During her time at the Ausable River Association, Treadwell started a citizen science water quality monitoring network, worked to bring watershed citizens together, conducted watershed-wide studies on fish passage, wetlands, and stream bank erosion. After leaving academia she moved into nonprofit work looking to make a difference.

Her background in science and experience in grant writing fit well working with nonprofits focused on the environment.

“I understand the science and why doing it makes a difference and that can be particularly helpful when applying for grants,” she said. “It’s so rewarding every time the hard work turns into a grant that can be put to a good place and see it make a difference.”