Paige Cahall, left, is the new Environmental Concern’s president, and Joseph Miller is now vice president. (Photo by Julie Phillips)
Environmental Concern has underwent extensive changes in recent years, but its mission to create and restore wetlands, promote native plants, and create healthier shorelines for generations to come remains the same.
Following the sale of its St. Michaels property in 2023 to the Town of St. Michaels, the organization moved its offices to Easton and transitioned its native plant nursery to Trappe.
Last month, the nonprofit celebrated the retirement of longtime leaders President Suzanne Pittenger-Slear and Senior Vice President Gene Slear and announced new leadership in Paige Cahall as president, and Joseph Miller appointed to vice president.
Under their leadership, Environmental Concern has created and restored hundreds of acres of wetlands in 14 Maryland counties and five neighboring states. Their work includes miles of living shoreline in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, replacing hardened structures with natural solutions that protect communities, improve water quality and enhance habitat.
“Leading Environmental Concern alongside our talented staff and dedicated partners has been a life-changing experience,” Pittenger-Slear said. “Gene and I are profoundly thankful for the lasting relationships we’ve built with colleagues, clients, and supporters, all of whom have been essential to EC’s success. It has been a privilege to contribute to Environmental Concern’s mission, and to witness the difference our collective efforts have made for wetland habitats across the region.”
As Senior Vice President, Gene Slear managed hundreds of restoration projects, pioneering the use of native plants to restore tidal and non-tidal habitats. A passionate advocate for living shorelines, Gene emphasized the importance of nature-based resilience in the face of extreme storm events.
Working with EC’s wetland practitioners, engineers and scientists, Gene expanded Dr. Garbisch’s protocols to manage the more erosive conditions caused by climate change.
Among the many memorable projects during their tenure are:
• Poplar Island Planting Project: Over half a million species planted by EC staff in Cell 3D;
• Fishing Bay Living Shoreline Restoration: 478,000 native species grown and installed by EC staff on Elliott Island in Dorchester County, preventing the breach of the island’s only access road;
• Town of North Beach Living Shoreline: A collaborative project involving all EC departments and more than 300 Calvert County ninth graders in a student education program;
• Historic Wye House Living Shoreline Restoration Project.
• Tilghman Island Living Shoreline and Pond Creation.
• San Domingo Creek Living Shoreline and the St. Michaels Nature Trail.
“Suzanne and Gene’s pragmatic leadership has transformed Environmental Concern into a force for positive environmental change,” said board member Conrad Gordon. “Their legacy of hundreds of acres of restored habitat will continue to benefit our ecosystems for years to come.”
Cahall joined Environmental Concern in 2013 as financial administrator and later served as treasurer. “I am honored to step into the role of President of Environmental Concern,” she said. “As I accept this responsibility, I am dedicated to furthering EC’s mission and building on its legacy. It is an honor to be leading such a great team of environmental stewards as we work together to strengthen partnerships, expand our outreach, and make a positive impact in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”
Miller, a licensed landscape architect in Maryland, joined Environmental Concern’s Restoration team in 2019. With graduate degrees in ecology and landscape architecture, he has contributed to projects ranging from watershed restoration to residential shoreline design.
“At Environmental Concern, the merging of environmental design and science is essential for successful restoration projects,” Miller said. “As Paige and I take on these leadership roles, we feel a tremendous responsibility to ensure the continued success of this organization for the benefit of the public and future generations.”
Looking ahead, Environmental Concern said it is expanding its nursery operation to meet the increasing demand for native wetland vegetation and to strengthen the non-profit’s leadership role in native species horticulture and wetland restoration and education.
“This relocation unlocks fresh possibilities for growth and innovation, honoring the vision and legacy of all who have shaped Environmental Concern since 1972,” it said in a news release.
Environmental Concern was founded by Dr. Edgar Garbisch, who developed the protocol for wetland restoration over 40 years ago. His vision and determination led to the creation of the nation’s first native plant nursery dedicated to wetland restoration.
