After six years working for the nonprofit Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC), including nearly three years as the group’s executive director, Dan Ehresman announced his resignation today, effective Nov. 12.

In an email alert to members, Ehresman didn’t give a reason for his pending resignation, saying only that he’s “excited about embarking on the next chapter of my life.”

Ehresman added a postscript in a follow-up email to local reporters: “as to the question of what’s next, I will say that in the short-term, I have a few projects in the works. In the long-term…stay tuned:)”

NEC Board President Larry Glass also posted a message to NEC members, wishing Ehresman the best in his future endeavors and outlining some of his achievements: “Since taking the position as NEC’s Executive Director in 2012 he has been an active voice for conservation in countless meetings on the Humboldt County General Plan Update, was instrumental in getting the issue of marijuana cultivation regulations into a public process and spoke on a variety of environmental issues locally, regionally and throughout the state.”

Below is the message Ehresman posted today on the NEC website:

It is with mixed emotions that I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to leave my position at the Northcoast Environmental Center. As stated above, my last day with the Center will be Thursday, November 12. 

Although I am excited about embarking on the next chapter of my life, there is a lot that I will miss. It has been immensely rewarding to work as part of an organization with a rich history that continues to fill an important role in our region. I am extremely grateful to the many people who have provided such strong support during my time here and I am very proud of the progress we have made together over the last several years! I am also proud of the staff that will continue on at the NEC and I trust the commitment from the Board to carry the organization forward.

I take pride in our many accomplishments throughout the six years that I’ve been with the NEC: we’ve been a critical voice on land use issues on the North Coast (from the never-ending GPU to the crazy, complex beast that is weed), we are on the way to having our entire 44+ years of EcoNews digitized so that members of the public will be able to explore the rich eco-history of our region, we maintained a strong environmental education program that engaged hundreds of kids in caring for our biosphere, we’ve continued to get the word out on important environmental news through EcoNews and EcoNews Report, we’ve provided jobs and learning opportunities for many students through our internship and work study programs, we’ve been instrumental in helping to keep our beaches and waterways clean through Coastal Cleanup and Adopt-a-Beach, and we’ve had some pretty great parties and parades with friends old and new.

While my paid position with the NEC may be coming to close, I plan to stay in this region and I will continue to engage on critical conservation and community-based issues. We have a lot of work ahead and I am grateful to live in an area where folks care immensely. Thank you all again for your help along the way!

Sincerely,
Dan Ehresman