Last week, the Turtle Island Restoration Network quietly announced the resignation of its founder and executive director, Todd Steiner, after more than 35 years at the helm of the environmental protection group. Mr. Steiner’s departure comes after a contentious tenure plagued by allegations of workplace harassment. In 2021, nearly a dozen former staff members came forward to the Light with reports of a toxic work environment, citing years of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Among the accusers was Callie Veelenturf, who filed a lawsuit against the organization alleging that the 67-year-old environmentalist had sexually harassed her; the case was settled in 2019. Mr. Steiner has led the organization since its inception in 1989, when he founded it as the Sea Turtle Restoration Project under the auspices of the Bay Area nonprofit Earth Island Institute. The group’s early efforts focused on conservation work, notably tagging turtles on Central American beaches. Over time, it expanded its mission to include advocacy for policy change, and by 1997, TIRN emerged as an independent nonprofit. The organization, which now employs around 11 staff members, reported roughly $2.9 million in revenue for 2023, primarily from donations, reflecting a decline from previous years. TIRN is the parent organization for the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, which has used litigation against Marin County to advocate for strict, controversial development regulations in the San Geronimo Valley. In a sparse statement to the Light this week, the organization confirmed that Ken Bouley, a resident of Inverness and Mill Valley with a background in software development, would assume the role of executive director. Previously, Mr. Bouley was a developer at the data analytics company FICO and has worked with environmental groups such as SPAWN in a volunteer capacity. Known for his environmental activism, Mr. Bouley has been a vocal critic of ranching practices in the Point Reyes National Seashore. As he takes the helm, Mr. Bouley inherits an organization facing high turnover and significant internal challenges. He declined to comment on his new role when asked about the allegations against Mr. Steiner, who will continue working with the nonprofit as a member of its board and as a staffer for special projects.