Our Team

Pat Young has a professional career spanning nearly forty years working to protect the natural resources in the State of Connecticut and has served as the Eightmile River Watershed Program Director since 2009. She held previous positions with both the Eastern and North Central Conservation Districts and has also worked in municipal land-use and environmental health with the towns of Waterford, Madison, Coventry and Old Lyme. As the Program Director, Pat manages the federal Cooperative Agreement and budget for the Coordinating Committee, oversees project coordination and assists the Committee with determining focus priorities. She also serves as the Watershed Coordinator for the Salmon River Watershed which shares two towns with the Eightmile River Watershed. Under her leadership, the Committee has initiated a number of education projects including a college student intern mentoring program. Pat received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management with a focus in wildlife management and education from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science in Environmental Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She currently serves on the CT River Coastal Conservation District's Board of Directors. She previously served on the UCONN SeaGrant Advisory Board, CT Envirothon (Secretary), and the CT Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions (Treasurer).

Abby joined the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed in May 2023. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and minors in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. During her time at UConn she served as treasurer for the UConn Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society and worked on various research projects. She completed a Research Experience for Undergraduates on the effect of Ranavirus on Wood Frogs. Currently, Abby serves on her town's Conservation Commission. As Environmental Program Coordinator, Abby manages water quality monitoring, develops educational programs, and provides support to the land protection community.