Welcome to the Board, Mary Hoff!

Sustainable Stillwater MN is excited to welcome Mary Hoff to our Board of Directors as of April 2026.

Mary brings a remarkable blend of environmental leadership, storytelling, community connection, and hands-on sustainability work to SSMN — along with a deep love for the St. Croix River Valley and the people who call it home.

A longtime resident of a century-old farmhouse in Grant, Mary is no stranger to local adventures. Whether she’s biking the Brown’s Creek Trail, canoeing the St. Croix River, participating in the annual Stillwater Log Run, or restoring native habitat in her own backyard, she lives the values of sustainability in everyday life.

Professionally, Mary serves on the marketing and communications team at Project Drawdown, where she uses science writing and strategic communications to help advance climate solutions around the world. She’s also a frequent contributor to Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, helping young readers connect with the natural world through the magazine’s Young Naturalists feature.

Her background spans environmental journalism, nonprofit communications, strategic communications, and community organizing — supported by degrees in zoology, journalism, and strategic communication, along with certification as a Minnesota Master Naturalist.

But what really stands out about Mary is the way she connects people, ideas, and action.

She’s a founding member of both the Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative and the Lake Links Association, serves on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Heritage Advisory Committee, and actively supports faith-based environmental efforts through Laudato Si'.

In her application to join the board, Mary shared:

That perspective aligns beautifully with SSMN’s mission to create and support local initiatives that promote sustainability in the Greater Stillwater area.

When she’s not writing, volunteering, or pulling buckthorn, Mary enjoys adventuring with her husband, children, and grandchildren, knitting, attempting to play the penny whistle, and — in her words — “strengthening communities by catalyzing unlikely connections and collaborations.”

We’re incredibly grateful to have Mary joining the SSMN leadership team and look forward to the experience, insight, creativity, and collaboration she’ll bring to the organization and community.

Please join us in welcoming Mary to the Sustainable Stillwater MN Board of Directors!