Rebecca Washburn, Director of Lands Administration and Recreation
Becca leads the division of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation responsible for land conservation and easement stewardship, state land survey and property ownership issues, the administration of leases, licenses and special use permits, support of state land management planning and state land recreation and community recreation programming. Becca’s career in conservation includes leadership experience at state, regional, and national levels. She started with the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation when she worked as Grants Program Assistant and Lands Division Assistant. Previously she has worked for the Land Trust Alliance, Stowe Land Trust and the Green Mountain Club in a variety of roles. Among her many valuable skills, Becca brings direct experience in land conservation and stewardship, leadership and organizational development, program design and implementation, and strategic planning. She is outdoors in the woods or the garden whenever she has the chance.
Contact: becca.washburn@vermont.gov, 802-793-3432
Hannah Phillips, State Lands Administration Program Manager
Hannah began working at FPR in 2019, bringing prior career experience in land conservation, ecology, research in forested headwater wetlands, and science education. In her role at FPR, Hannah coordinates the policy and process guiding management of all lands owned by the Agency of Natural Resources, including the long-range management planning process and the development of ANR land management policies. Hannah has an M.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Vermont Ecological Planning Program, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Skidmore College. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, skiing of all varieties, reading, and remote backcountry adventures.
Contact: 802-622-4661, hannah.phillips@vermont.gov
Niels Rinehart, Lands Administrator and Historic Resources Coordinator
Niels has been working with the Department since 2016. He has a B.A. in Music from Connecticut College and an M.A. in Anthropology/ Archaeology from SUNY Binghamton. Niels manages Department cultural resource management projects, directing the consultation process with the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Other responsibilities include managing the ANR lands records and PILOT program, as well as managing telecommunications licenses and other licenses and leases. Niels is also an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG). He and his wife Lauren have two boys, Abraham and Liam and when not defending the old house against the forces of entropy, Niels enjoys writing as well as getting outdoors in whatever way he can, whenever he can.
Contact: 802-272-4156, niels.rinehart@vermont.gov
Land Protection
Gannon Osborn, Land Conservation Program Manager
Gannon has been with FPR since 2018. He graduated from Marist College with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy and minors in Biology and Writing. Gannon works to conserve land through additions to State Parks and State Forests, as well as conservation easements held by FPR, often working through the Forest Legacy Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to do so. He has experience working with local land trusts in regional land conservation and conservation stewardship, as well as in environmental consulting. Outside of work Gannon enjoys exploring the outdoors in all manners and all seasons, cooking over an open fire, travelling to new places, hunting down the best general store baked goods, and relaxing with a good book.
Contact: 802-622-4410, gannon.osborn@vermont.gov
Gunnar Nurme, Land Acquisition Coordinator
Gunnar joined FPR in 2023. He graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.A in Environmental Studies, Economics, and Business. In his role with FPR, Gunnar works with the rest of the land protection team as well as with conservation partners to coordinate land conservation projects that protect Vermont’s special places, often as additions to State Forests and State Parks. His prior experience includes working with a land trust in both land conservation and stewardship capacities, trail work, and outdoor guiding. Outside of work, Gunnar enjoys skiing, trail running, mountain biking, fly fishing, rock climbing, and most other forms of playing outside.
Contact: 802-261-7140, gunnar.nurme@vermont.gov
Kate Sudhoff, Forest Legacy Program Coordinator
Kate has been working with FPR in the Forest Legacy Program since 2014. Her role encompasses easement stewardship, land acquisition, and administration of this federal grant program in the state. Kate graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Forestry. In her free time Kate can be found skiing, biking, birdwatching, gardening, or tending her cherished parcel of land. Kate lives with her family in Waitsfield, just over the hill from where she grew up.
Contact: 802-505-0678, kate.sudhoff@vermont.gov
Joellen Stivala, Forest Legacy Conservation Forester
Joellen has been working with FPR since 2021. She graduated with a M.S. in Forestry from West Virginia University after receiving a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and a B.S. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources. Joellen is responsible for the stewardship and monitoring of Forest Legacy Easements. When she is not out in the woods, she is enjoying thoughtful meals, puzzling, and making pottery.
Contact: (802) 261-1938, joellen.stivala@vermont.gov
Recreation
Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager
Claire works with a wide variety of recreation partners and agency staff to support and improve outdoor recreation across the State. She has work experience in recreation management, communications, and program development as well a BA in Environmental Studies from Middlebury College and an MS in Natural Resources from the Ecological Planning program at UVM. She started working with FPR in 2022. When she’s not working, she particularly enjoys riding, gliding, and tromping through the woods, exploring new places, tending her garden, drinking strong coffee, and reading good books.
Contact: 802-505-5372, claire.polfus@vermont.gov
Lauren Pyle, Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager
Lauren joined the FPR team in 2023, where she manages all the outdoor recreation grant programs, providing support for both current and prospective grantees. Lauren graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in biology and M.A.T. in secondary education. She got hooked on experiential outdoor science education and has spent her career working to help connect people to nature. Lauren enjoys gardening, exploring new places with her family, and trying just about anything that goes downhill on snow!
Contact: 802-636-7684, lauren.pyle@vermont.gov
Brian Carlson, Outdoor Recreation Grants Specialist
Brian joined the FPR team in 2024 in his role supporting the outdoor recreation grants program. Brian has prior professional experience including forest conservation, land stewardship and non-profit management. He enjoys all forms of exploring the outdoors including paddling, biking, hiking, trail running, and especially nordic skiing. Brian received a M.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Vermont’s Ecological Planning Program as well as B.A. in Environmental Science from Colby College.
Contact: brian.carlson@vermont.gov
Marlena Baker, Outdoor Recreation Grants Specialist
Marlena joined FPR in 2024 in her role supporting outdoor recreation grants. She has experience in grant management, compliance monitoring, and fostering community-based partnerships. She graduated with a Social Impact MBA from Brandeis University and a BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts with a Business minor from Southern New Hampshire University. Marlena enjoys anything outdoors but especially skiing, biking, hiking and swimming.
Contact: 802-480-1235, marlena.baker@vermont.gov
Joe Kill, Outdoor Recreation Grants Specialist
Joe Kill started as Grant Specialist at FPR in 2024. He leverages experience in grant administration from work at Barre School District and passion for outdoor recreation to support Vermont communities and state parks. He helps navigate federal grant processes and ensures funding is used effectively to enhance recreational opportunities. As dedicated cyclist, runner, and woodworker, Joe brings a hands-on approach and a commitment to preserving Vermont’s natural beauty to his role.
Contact: 802-461-7626, joseph.kill@vermont.gov
Survey
Brian Lavery, ANR Lands Surveyor
Brian has been with FPR since 1986.
Contact: 802-828-1572, brian.lavery@vermont.gov
Philo E. Marcotte, ANR Lands Surveyor
Philo began working with FPR in the fall of 2013. He graduated from Paul Smith's College studying Surveying Technology graduating with a Degree in Applied Science and has been in the surveying field ever since. Philo works in the Division of Lands and Recreation Researching, Reconning, and Surveying Vermont Agency of Natural Resources interests in over 450,000 acres. His favorite times are trying to keep up with the family whether it's skiing, hunting, fishing, boating, listening to music, camping, biking, or just getting lost in the woods.
Contact: 802-318-1316, philo.marcotte@vermont.gov
Mike Hulyer, ANR Lands Surveyor
Mike began with FPR in 2014 and is working towards licensure in the land surveying profession. He enjoys hiking fishing, kayaking, camping, hockey playing guitar.
Contact: mike.huyler@vermont.gov
Robert Rives, ANR Lands Surveyor
Contact: robert.rives@vermont.gov