Timothy Peabody, a 1981 graduate of Unity College, was sworn in as deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Monday, Oct. 26.

The agency governs millions of acres of Maine wilderness. According to its website, the department conserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of Maine; increases opportunities for the use of these resources by all people; responds to the needs of the people by providing services; fosters public awareness and involvement; and promotes efficiency in program management through employee involvement, initiative, innovation, and teamwork.

Peabody, of Northport, formerly served as chief of the Maine Warden Service, which is a division of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and as director of the Center of Natural Resource Management and Protection at Unity College.

“The department is most fortunate to have a person with Tim’s abilities,” said MDIF&W Commissioner Chandler Woodcock. “His background and experience provides him with a significant range of awareness and insight of the issues and the process.”

Peabody earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Fisheries from Unity College and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in Public Policy and Management. He had 21 years of service with the Maine Warden Service with the last 6 of those years as chief warden. Peabody retired from the department in 2004 and worked as director of the Center for Natural Resource Management and Protection at Unity College until 2014.

“I am pleased and honored to return to work at Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as the deputy commissioner,” Peabody said. “I look forward to utilizing my experience and knowledge to aid the Department in carrying out its mission of preserving and protecting Maine’s fish and wildlife resources.”

“Tim is a great example of an early Unity College student who’s gone on to be an environmental leader,” said Unity College President-elect Dr. Melik Peter Khoury. “We are gratified and validated that our curriculum has prepared him well to be a professional in a career he so clearly enjoys.”