Justin Elicker – Executive Director
Justin works to ensure that the Land Trust is advancing its mission of providing community gardening spaces, preserving open spaces and educating New Haven residents about the environment. Justin grew up in Connecticut and is an active member of the New Haven community, including running for mayor of New Haven in 2013. Justin is an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University and has worked as a sustainability consultant, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and a high and elementary school teacher. Justin received joint masters’ degrees from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the Yale School of Management in 2010 and a BA from Middlebury College in 1997. In addition to a passion for gardening Justin and his wife Natalie raise five chickens and a dog named Captain.
Stephen J. Grant - Operations Manager
Stephen is the operations manager for the New Haven Land Trust, helping to keep the office running smoothly. Stephen is a New Haven native with a passion for the arts and outdoors. Following his communications studies at Southern Connecticut State University, Stephen worked for local non-profits and start-ups. He is also a writer that has appeared in several major online publications including the Huffington Post and Paste Magazine. In 2014, Stephen moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he worked as a freelance writer/photographer, English coach and recording artist. In 2016, he self-published his first book and produced the documentary "AFRO BRASIL" for Seven Scribes. In his spare time, Stephen loves to visit and camp at national parks with his partner, Gustavo.
Bradley Fleming - Community Garden Manager
Bradley oversees the Land Trust's 50 community gardens throughout New Haven. He is an Elm City native who has worked on farms both urban and rural, as well as numerous food access and community building projects. Most recently, Bradley managed Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm. He is passionate about healthy living and is excited to bring his knowledge and expertise back home to share with the New Haven community.
Esther Rose-Wilen - Garden Education Coordinator
Esther Rose-Wilen is a New Haven native with a degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University. She has been volunteering with agriculture projects and community gardens since the 8th grade in Connecticut, New Jersey, Argentina, and Spain. She is incredibly excited to help manage both the Growing Entrepreneurs program and the Incubator Gardens program at the Land Trust. In her free time, when she isn't tending to either of her parents' gardens, Esther might be reading in a hammock or eating tacos at Long Wharf.
Arabelle is this summer's education and outreach intern for the Land Trust's nature preserves. She hails from Berkeley, California where she grew up hiking and exploring the outdoors. She is currently studying environmental science, history, and politics at Yale and has a special interest in environmental activism. During the school year, Arabelle works in science education for New Haven high schoolers. She is very excited to be working and learning more this summer alongside members of the New Haven community!
Sadilka is seventeen years old and a junior at Wilbur Cross High School. When she grows up she wants to be a lawyer, chef, or photographer. She worked for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas and the Land Trust for one summer before joining the Growing Entrepreneurs, where she hopes to gain gardening and business skills. Sadilka loves all fruits and one vegetable: the potato.
Xavier Hernandez - Growing Entrepreneur
Xavier is a Latino soon-to-be graduate of James Hillhouse High School. He is 19 and working hard to become a motorcycle mechanic, graphic designer, or engineer. He worked with the Land Trust for two summers before joining the Growing Entrepreneurs. Xavier loves all types of vegetables.
Yaritza is a seventeen year old Latina junior at Common Ground High School. Through her school's Green Jobs Corps, so worked with CitySeed and Urban Resources Initiative before joining the Growing Entrepreneurs. She enjoys making a good impact in her community and environment. When she gets older, she wants to become a film director making movies about injustice and the world, in addition to comedies and romance.
Sarah Morrison - Schooner Camp Director
Sarah Directs the Schooner Summer Camp, ensuring all campers have a fun and educational summer and leave camp with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the New Haven coastline. Sarah has been in the environmental education field for over six years directing summer camps, coordinating after school programs, and leading backpacking trips. Sarah grew up in the Greater New Haven area and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Sarah is passionate about youth development, environmental education, fitness, and healthy living. When not working Sarah enjoys floating down the Mill River, biking, hiking, and eating tacos.
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Connor Schiff - Schooner Camp Waterfront Director
Connor heads the sailing program at the Schooner Camp. He grew up in Darien, CT and learned to sail in nearby Westport when he was eight. Since then he’s spent every summer on the water, including four summers instructing at Longshore Sailing School and two FCIAC Varsity seasons with Darien High. He wouldn’t have it any other way. Connor is a student at Lehigh University, where he studies Industrial & Systems Engineering with minors in Computer Science & Engineering and Business. In addition to sailing, Connor loves to ski and ride his mountain bike when he can. He’s looking forward to being back on the water and hopes to help his students develop a skill they can and will use long after the program is completed.
Noah Nyhart - Schooner Camp Sailing Instructor
Noah is a sailing instructor this summer at Schooner. He grew up in New Haven, CT and learned to sail in the waters of Branford, CT with his father, and as a part of the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club (YCYC) race team. Working as a Junior Instructor at YCYC, Noah developed his skills as a teacher. He loves to be on the water, and worked as a launch driver last summer at the Madison Beach Club. His passion for sailing is seconded by his love for cycling, both on the road and in the mountains. After just graduating from Choate Rosemary Hall, Noah will take his studies as a Political Science major to George Washington University. He can't wait to get back out on the water and share his passion for a summer of learning and fun!
Megan Boyd - Schooner Camp Director of First Aid, Environmental Educator
Megan is an Environmental Educator and the Director of First Aid for the Schooner Summer Camp. This will be her second summer working to connect the campers to our coastline and its diverse ecosystems. Originally from rural NH, Megan grew up with a deep connection to nature and became a devout vegetarian at age 11. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with degrees in Political Science and Spanish. When she's not ankle deep in the Long Wharf mudflats with the campers, she studies mycology and forages for medicinal and edible plants on her hikes.
Jessica Branch is an anthropologist whose work looks at the human impact on physical spaces. Jessica is a raging enthusiast of environmental stewardship and preservation of natural and historical places. She has worked with the New Haven Land Trust for two years. Outside projects include work with Van Abbemuseum, High Museum and The Urban Art Commission of Memphis in public works.
Yuna is a recent graduate from Amherst College where she studied Biology and Environmental Studies. During her time at Amherst, she sang in a cappella and choral groups as well as played ice hockey during her first two years. Having worked with the land trust for the past three summers, she is excited to bring her passion for environmentalism and education together for a fourth summer of full of informative adventures. When she isn't playing outside with her puppy, Chester, Yuna loves birding, singing with her guitar, and knitting.
Kayla grew up in Washington, CT in the middle of the woods where she learned to love being surrounded by nature and animals. She now lives in New Haven where she learned to expand her love and knowledge of nature by going to the sea. She graduated from the Sound School where her love and appreciation grew for the plants, fish, and wildlife found all over Long Island sound. Kayla is now a senior at WCSU majoring in Graphic Design, and in her free time enjoys drawing and painting animals and nature.
Kamilia was born and raised in New Haven, CT and studied General Science for two years at Johnson C. Smith University before moving back to New Haven. With constant encouragement of close family and friends, I proceeded in doing what I loved most: working with children and youth. Since then, I've had a countless amount of opportunities to work with wonderful non-profit organizations such as LEAP (where I started), West Haven Community House (which wheeled me back in) and New Haven Reads (that offered a new road in fulfilling my passion). Through them, I've had the privilege of serving some of the most wonderful children, families and staff. My desire is to bring my talents and expertise in Positive Youth Development to the children of Schooner Camp. I'm excited to join a great team in hopes of making a difference in the life of a child.
