UNITY (Oct 17): The Unity College Board of Trustees has elected Don Kleiner of Union, to a four-year term on the board, announced Unity College President Mitchell Thomashow.

“Unity College welcomes Don to his new role as a trustee, and we are delighted to welcome him to this community of committed professionals in service to a strong, well-defined mission,” said Thomashow.

The Unity College Board of Trustees has elected Don Kleiner

to a four-year term on the board. (Unity College)

“He brings an amazing wealth of experience in service to the natural world to his post as a trustee. Such insight and experience will undoubtedly help the college as it seeks to provide the best education and training possible to students who will become the next generation of environmental leaders.”

Kleiner is president of Maine Outdoors of Union, a professional service firm that helps individuals and businesses experience, learn about and derive value from natural resources. Maine Outdoors provides outdoor experiences for novices and experts and everyone in between. It lobbies the Legislature for positive, pro-active conservation policies on behalf of conservation organizations and offers special project services for conservation organizations.

As New England Regional Director in 2004-05 of The Ruffled Grouse Society of Caropolis, Penn., he developed and maintained corporate organization and public relations contacts, developed and implemented major fund-raising activities, founded local chapters, represented the society in meetings with governmental and conversation organizations and served as liaison between RGS chapters and national headquarters.

From 1999 to 2003, Kleiner served as director of information and education for the Maine Department of Information and Education. The senior staffer was responsible for leading marketing and promotion, internal and external communications, the Maine Wildlife Park, education and recreation safety programs.

He also edited the Maine Fish and Wildlife magazine and from 1993 to 1998, was the Maine Professional Guides Association liaison to the Legislature. Kleiner was responsible for representing the association to both the Legislature and state agencies. He also served as the Northeast Conservation Information and Education Association chairman and treasurer. Kleiner was president of the Maine Professional Guides Association from 1993 to 1997 and secretary from 1991 to 1993.

In 2002, Kleiner received The Ernest Thompson Seton Award given by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at the 100th anniversary celebration at Big Sky, Mont. This award is presented to the individual most responsible for the program that best promoted public awareness of the science and practice of wildlife management. In 2001, he was also awarded the Conservation Information and Education Association, Conservation Communicator of the Year award. In 1997 and 1998, Kleiner received the Maine Professional Guides Association award for Outstanding Service.

Kleiner earned a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science/Planning and Resource Management from Stockton State College in Pomona, N.J.

He is vice president, Board of Directors with the Maine Conservation School of Bryant Pond.