For 20 years, Barbara Warren stewarded Salem Sound Coastwatch through new endeavors and important milestones. While her legacy will always be part of the organization, in November 2025 she left Salem Sound Coastwatch, and the staff and Board wish to thank her for the legacy she has left and recognize her important contributions.
As Executive Director—and MassBays National Estuary Program Regional Coordinator for the Lower North Shore—she led with vision, partnership, and an unwavering commitment to the health of our land and water. Barbara’s time in leadership strengthened collaborations with local municipalities, advanced climate resiliency across our region, and championed nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
Her path to SSCW began as a volunteer. She then joined staff in 2003 as the Wetlands Program Coordinator, moving on to become Program Director, and eventually Executive Director in 2005, serving as the organization’s leader for two decades. During her tenure, the organization’s scope and reach grew significantly, in large part due to Barbara’s ability to deliver on strategic, results-oriented grants and contracts. She also helped establish our signature education and fundraising events, such as the School to Sea program, speaker series, and the Run for the Beach. Many of the programs we run today on water quality, marine debris, habitat and more are the result of Barbara’s vision and leadership. As Barbara embarks on her next chapter, we celebrate all that she has contributed: healthier shorelines, stronger local partnerships, and more resilient communities.