MAINE SENIORS • March 6, 2021
Many people are intensely curious to know more about Gilbert Butler, the noted environmental philanthropist. His Butler Conservation Fund (BCF) buys extensive, beautiful parcels of land around the United States, including in Maine, and South America. On these lands, he and his team create multi-use recreational trails and nature parks for outdoor education and public use. Both the park areas and their associated programming encourage people to get outside and be active. Mr. Butler does not like to be personally promoted or written about. He always wants the focus to be on the conservation projects, not on himself. When I talked recently to one of his close associates, Carl Carlson—Director of Conservation Infrastructure with BCF—I asked about Mr. Butler’s motivations and vision.