Seeley Swan Pathfinder -

SWAN VALLEY - Maria Mantas, the executive director of Swan Valley Connections for the last four years, will be retiring this fall.

"A good executive director keeps the family together, keeps the team together," said Mantas. "I call myself the head cook and dishwasher."

Before her stint with SVC, she worked for the Nature Conservancy as the Science and Stewardship Director, and was a plant ecologist for the Flathead National Forest prior to that.

"I've spent about 30 years doing conservation work in this area and I've loved every minute of it," said Mantas, who still plans to be involved wi...