Cultivating Family, Community, and Care: A Conversation With Board Member Alene Onion

As a sister to Onion Foundation co-founders Fritz and Susan Onion, Alene Onion has seen firsthand how the organization has impacted communities across the state. Now, as the foundation’s newest board member, Alene brings decades of experience as an aquatic ecologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and a driven commitment to equity to her role.

Here, Alene reflects on the background that led her to this work and takeaways she’s learned from her first year on the board.

How did growing up in Maine alongside Fritz and Susan inspire you to pursue aquatic ecology as a career?

Alene: I met Susan when I was three, when she and Fritz took me to the circus. It probably was a date, but I inserted myself between them the whole time. Susan’s been in my life ever since, so I really think about her as another sister.

My sister, Amanda, is closer to Fritz and Susan’s ages and shared their love of hiking, cross-country skiing, and generally enjoying the outdoors. They were all wonderful mentors to me growing up, and I now consider them among my closest friends.

Because of our age difference, I didn’t grow up in exactly the same household as they. When I was four and my siblings were in high school, my parents moved from a farm to a lake. Maine lakes became a part of how I understood myself. My father was also part of the effort to launch the 30 Mile River Watershed Association, and I found it inspiring how much the community around us mattered to him and my mother. I care deeply for the lakes themselves, but because of these experiences, I care very much for the people who care for lakes, too.

Why do you think Mainers connect so deeply with lakes specifically?

People have streams and rivers that they love, but it’s really hard to conceive of the river in its entirety; you usually consider the stretch in front of you. With lakes, you can often see the whole resource. When we think about protection, it’s easier for people to understand and connect with the resource when they can see it all at once.

There’s also something really gratifying about viewing a lake. It’s like a stage where you see wildlife — the great blue herons, the kingfishers, the otters, the fox, the fish. People can more easily connect with the need for preservation and conservation. So maybe it’s worth flipping the question around and saying, “let’s keep in mind the streams and rivers, too.”

What do you see as some of the most important aspects of lake conservation and protection?

I work with volunteers who monitor lakes and streams, and what’s really unique about these programs in Maine is how they’re working to engage community members who aren’t lakeshore land owners. They very much feel an ownership of the lake, and lake associations really cultivate that ownership.

Access is a real need. There are so many lakes in Maine, but not everyone can access them. I worked with a group of kids last summer, and none of them had even been to a lake before. I really appreciate how the Onion Foundation — both in the arts and the environment — enables people of all backgrounds to appreciate these resources.

The arts are another core Onion Foundation program area. How have the arts impacted your life?

I grew up attending Bearnstow’s modern dance summer camp in our community in Mount Vernon. There were frequently dancers coming in who I have since learned are world renowned. That was my most significant experience with modern art, and since then, I’ve sought out other forms of art, including going to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MassMOCA) quite often.

What have you experienced or learned in your first year of serving on the Onion Foundation’s board?

I’ve never served in a position like this before. I appreciate the learning experience because it’s very different from anything I’ve ever done. I’m struck by how nimble the organization is. It’s been a huge pleasure to support my brother and sister and learn a lot about Maine and philanthropy.

I’ve really enjoyed learning how the foundation has carved out such a deliberate purpose and seeing that be executed with every grant that the team approves. I’ve come to appreciate the importance of fair pay for artists, and I’ve seen the connections between tribal nations and the arts and the environment. I’ve been fascinated by how much is happening in northern and eastern Maine. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the incredibly devoted program officers and team members. They put their full selves into this work every day.

How does this work resonate with you on a personal level?

I hope to contribute insights from my career in environmental conservation, but I’m also here as a sister. I’m so proud of the work my brother and sister do. Serving on this board is special; it’s an incredibly personal experience. This doesn’t feel like work. This feels like an expression of family.

We lost our parents in the past few years, and they are very present in the conversations about the good work being done in Maine. It’s lovely to be connected to them through this work.

What does the future look like for the foundation and for you as a board member?

I’ve spent the past year trying to get to know the Onion Foundation staff and understand the priorities and values of what they’ve established. I’ll continue to focus on that this year, but I’m also excited to spend more energy, time, and effort visiting grantees. There’s so much exciting stuff happening throughout Maine, and I want to see more of the work we’re supporting and continue to learn.

It’s a difficult moment for our country right now, and it’s really important to raise the voices of all people who are using environmental resources and appreciating the arts. I’m grateful for these pockets where we can still do good work.