Our Mission
The Wicomico Environmental Trust champions a healthy environment for all.
Meet Our Board
Charlie Stegman, President
Dr. Charles Stegman is a Family Medicine Specialist in Princess Anne, MD, and has more than four decades of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1977. He is affiliated with medical facilities Edward McCready Memorial Hospital and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Charlie is an avid Creekwatcher and serves on WET's Advocacy and Public Policy Committee, as well as cochairing WET's Annual Dinner Committee.
Kathie Wright, Treasurer
Dr. Kathleen Wright is a longtime resident of Wicomico County. She studied accountancy at Salisbury University, subsequently obtaining both Certified Public Accounting and Certified Management Accounting licensure from the State of Maryland, and pursued a PhD in Accounting and Information Systems at The George Washington University. She joined the faculty of the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University in 2000, teaching and researching across the accounting and information systems disciplines.
Carol Dunahoo, Secretary
Carol grew up in Salisbury and recently retired to Whitehaven after a legal career in Washington and New York. She served in several federal government positions, working on regulatory, legislative, and litigation matters and with other countries and international organizations, and also advised clients in private practice on policy and dispute resolution.
Madeleine Adams
Madeleine became an environmental advocate as a child in California, writing letters to federal officials in support of the Sierra Club-led effort to stop the proposed damming of Marble and Bridge canyons on the Colorado River. Later, she worked on staff at the national headquarters of The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation. She has served on WET’s board 2008-2015 and 2019-present.
Carolyn Brooks
Carolyn, Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), holds a BS and MS in biology from Tuskegee University, and a PhD in Microbiology from Ohio State University. During her career at UMES, she held numerous research, administrative, and leadership positions, culminating in her role as Research Director of 1890 Land-Grant Programs and Dean of the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. She has received numerous awards, including being recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, and featured in “Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century.”
Mike Folkoff
Mike is Professor Emeritus of Geography & Geosciences at Salisbury University, with teaching and research interests in soil genesis and hydrology, anthropomorphic effects on the biosphere, and environment modeling. His administration experience includes Chair of the Department of Geography & Geosciences, Associate Dean and Acting Dean of the Henson School of Science at Salisbury University. He continues an active research agenda, focusing on the land use change on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Aurelio Giannitti
Aurelio is the cofounder and codirector of the Youth Environmental Action Summit, and the manager of development, partnerships, and outreach for Wicomico Public Libraries. He was born and raised in New Mexico, graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, and now resides in Salisbury with his wife, Elise, and his furry son, a Bouvier des Flandres named Oxford.
Judith Hearthway
Judith continues practice as an income tax preparer although she has retired from her main profession as a Nurse Practitioner. Her years of valuable experience with tax preparation offer great insight and assistance to WET's nonprofit status. She loves planting trees and her six grandchildren, who are the reason she plants.
Linda Parry
Linda joins WET with a strong background in local government, having held positions previously with the City of Decatur, Georgia, the New Orleans Transit Authority, the Town of Manchester, Connecticut, and most recently with Wicomico Public Library. Her positions and experience gained at the library help WET to further its strategic goals in identifying partners and funding resources.
Dan Savoy
Dan is a retired educator. He is an active Wicomico River Creekwatcher and the recipient of the 2017 John Grout Award for Environmental Stewardship. He volunteers regularly with organizations connected with K-12 students and programs that assist vulnerable adults living in our community.
Jean Siers
Jean recently moved to Wicomico County from North Carolina, and is the Delmarva Regional Director for Society of St. Andrew, a national food rescue/distribution nonprofit. Jean grew up on a farm in northern Minnesota and has a degree in political science from the University of Minnesota.
Leah Tomlins
Leah grew up in the Southwest desert, where she enjoyed observing insects and other wild inhabitants of the natural world. While working at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, she advocated for issues related to the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act. She holds 10+ years of experience in the nonprofit realm, including accounting, human resources, grant management, fundraising, and event logistics.
Anne Young
Anne is presently raising her children and spending time on the things she cares about the most, such as WET's environmental priorities. Her professional interests and career have focused on university communications and fundraising. She is a proud alumna of Kent State University, for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and is grateful to have the opportunity to focus on her family and retool for her future career.
Meet Our Staff
Susan Parker, Creekwatchers Coordinator
Susan grew up in the Salisbury area and graduated from Wicomico High School in 1973. She attended DTCC and holds an AS degree and a BS in Elementary Education. She led a prestigious 28-year career in journalism at The Daily Times in Salisbury. Susan joined WET's Board of Directors in 2019 and was later hired as the Wicomico River Creekwatchers Coordinator. She currently lives in Salisbury with her family and three cats, and enjoys crocheting, reading, music, and spending time outdoors.
WET board members plant bald cypress trees in Salisbury
Our History
WET was founded in 1989 by a small group concerned about the county’s environmental policies (or lack thereof). During WET's first five years, its principal efforts were directed at public education about environmental issues.
In 2005, the Board of Directors secured IRS nonprofit status and focused on the rapidly increasing county sprawl development.
In 2011, water quality and the health of the Wicomico River and its watershed were added to WET’s mission. WET worked with government and other NGOs to develop a watershed management plan for the Wicomico River. In 2016, WET stepped into the lead position of volunteer coordination, outreach, communication, and funding for the Wicomico Creekwatchers program.
In recent years, WET’s advocacy has included active engagement with issues related to waste management, clean energy, clean water, wastewater treatment, public health risks, and environmental equity.