Heidi Sourwine
Heidi Sourwine
Heidi Sourwine
Heidi Sourwine grew up on a farm with plenty of space to run and play, memories that are deeply rooted in her heart. Raised near the Indian River Lakes, Indian River, and St. Lawrence River, she developed a passion for conservation early on while collecting frogs, exploring wooded areas, and organizing cliff-jumping excursions. She has many fond memories of time spent kayaking and swimming on the Indian River Lakes, including a summer spent living on Millsite Lake.
As the Executive Director of the Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Heidi leads the organization with a focus on leveraging the volunteer base and community partnerships to accelerate conservation efforts. She aims to help more landowners create lasting nature preserves where wildlife can thrive and people—especially children—can play and reconnect with nature.
Heidi joined the IRLC in 2018 as the Program Coordinator, where she developed and implemented education programs focused on science, natural history, and conservation for children, adults, and families. Later, as the Communications and Engagement Coordinator, she led initiatives that increased community engagement, built partnerships, and advocated for water quality. She spearheaded the creation of the Lake Leaders Summit, revitalizing participation in water quality advocacy, and fostered environmental stewardship through a variety of programs.
Heidi holds a B.S. from St. Lawrence University where she studied environmental sociology, researching the interactions between societies and their natural environments and telling the story of how human behaviors, institutions, and cultures can have great impact on the environment.
A mother of a five-year-old daughter, Heidi is dedicated to ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to connect with nature. Her commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the north country continues to inspire her work towards a sustainable future.
“I think we are all born environmentalists. If we are lucky, we find opportunities to cultivate that innate connection as we move through life. It is in gratitude to these experiences that many of us choose to extend our time and talents to ensure that these opportunities and spaces continue to thrive.”