About Us
Our Mission
FreeportCAN is a local grassroots organization (501c3) whose mission is to reduce Freeport’s contribution to climate change by advocating for the transition from a fossil fuel-based lifestyle to one that enhances the life systems of our planet.
Our Goal
We advocate for policies and behaviors that reduce contribution to climate change. We aim to facilitate the ability of our community to take advantage of the many available opportunities to decarbonize our lifestyle. We work to raise awareness of climate issues, keeping climate change in the public conversation.
Together we CAN make a difference.
Our Values
All our work is guided by principles of equity and inclusion.
We recognize that the land we live on was settled on the original and ancestral homelands of the Wabanaki (the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot people), and that these lands were not given up freely but taken by colonizers through the forced displacement and cultural and physical genocide of these Indigenous peoples. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and we commit to learning to be more conscious and respectful stewards of the land we inhabit and care for, and to invite all people to share in the work.
We recognize that for thousands of years predating the arrival of European colonists these lands have been hunted, gathered, fished, foraged, harvested, and stewarded sustainably by the tribes of the Wabanaki. We pay honor to and commit to learn from their history and ongoing efforts for land and water protection and restoration, and for cultural healing and recovery.
Our Story
We trace our beginning to one late-summer afternoon in 2021. Four of us were worried about what’s happening to our planet. None of us knew what we could do. All sensed many in Freeport felt the same way. “Let’s have a town forum, bring in people who have studied this question to inform us about action we can take right here, right now.” “And let’s not do it alone. Let’s take action together,” added another. And all of us agreed that we wanted to have some fun in the doing of this enterprise.
We are still forming and always eager to involve more people who share our passion for this work. All of our work is done by volunteers. We have no paid staff and rely entirely on our community for the energy and vision of this work.
How We Work
The work we do to reduce Freeport’s reliance on fossil fuels is done across a range of action areas. There is a lot of work to be done, and no time to waste, so we often operate in smaller committees that focus on different sectors that impact the climate, all working simultaneously toward change. Our work is done by community members just like you, bringing a wide range of expertise and interests, but all sharing a commitment to a belief that collectively we can make a difference and we can be a model for other communities to follow.
If you’d like to learn more, or get involved, please get in touch!
Boards and Committees
Board of Directors 2025-26
LAURA HENCH
President, FreeportCAN Co-Lead
MASON MORFIT
Secretary
BOB STEVENS
Treasurer
VALERIE GEREDIEN
Communications Co-Lead
SUSANA HANCOCK
MICHELE MILLER
Communications Co-Lead
MARGARET MORFIT
LOIS PORTA
Farmers Market Lead
KATHLEEN SULLIVAN
SUSANNE WATSON
JUDY WOOD
FreeportCAN Co-Lead