Champlain Area Trails Welcomes New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is excited to announce that Arin Burdo has been appointed the new Executive Director after a comprehensive national search. Arin brings over 25 years of leadership experience within nonprofit organizations, including 14 years as Executive Director of the Elizabethtown Social Center. This center connects individuals, local natural resources, and cultural opportunities, focusing on youth engagement, education, and community partnerships.

Throughout her time at the Social Center, Arin made significant advancements in financial performance, governance restructuring, revenue growth, and program development, all while fostering deeper community connections. She is an accomplished networker, fundraiser, and strategic leader, volunteering for various nonprofit organizations and municipalities to enhance community well-being and attract new residents.

Arin has effectively expanded the Social Center’s reach, implementing strategies to reduce youth screen time and collaborating with local agencies to develop engaging youth programs. Her efforts have secured substantial grants and funding to further enhance the Center’s impact.

She will succeed Chris Maron, the founding Executive Director of CATS, who retired at the end of 2024 after 16 years of dedicated service.

“Arin brings a wealth of leadership experience that aligns perfectly with CATS’ vision for the future,” said incoming Board Chair Hannah Provost. “As the leading organization in the Champlain Valley focused on creating trails and protecting land, CATS is committed to ensuring that future generations can experience and enjoy the natural beauty of our area. For over 16 years, CATS has emphasized discovery, learning, and connecting people to nature.”

Chris Maron shared his thoughts on Arin’s appointment: “She has great qualifications to lead CATS into its next chapter. This includes dedication to our mission, extensive engagement with local communities, a love of hiking on trails, experience working on programs for all ages, and the executive leadership necessary for CATS’ growth.”

Arin expressed her excitement: “My passion for the Adirondacks stems from a lifetime of enjoying our area’s unique resources. My interests in hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, swimming, kayaking, sailing, and camping have deepened my appreciation for nature, its preservation, and CATS’ mission to engage communities and visitors through outdoor recreation and land protection. I look forward to leveraging my extensive leadership experience and community-building skills to guide CATS through this next exciting phase.”

In addition to her role at CATS, Arin serves as the President of the Board for the Substance Abuse Prevention Team of Essex County, sits on the Elizabethtown Advisory Committee, and is the Secretary of the Board for the BEK1ND Foundation. She has also been Managing Director at the North Country Women’s Center and possesses considerable volunteer leadership experience. Arin earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Montana.

Arin will transition to her role at CATS early in the new year and officially start full-time on March 1. For more information about CATS and its mission of preserving land, creating trails, connecting people to nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley, visit www.champlainareatrails.com.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2009, which creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality. In its short history, CATS has developed 35 miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it half-way toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec. Learn more on the CATS website.