Members Meeting Informs & Connects Wildlands Community

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

Members are the foundation of the Wildlands community. Not only do they provide us with the steady financial support we need, but they also serve as advocates for environmental protection in their own neighborhoods. The larger and stronger our membership base, the more effectively we can advance our mission. 

Strong communities are informed and connected. On April 6, Wildlands Trust hosted a Members Meeting at our Plymouth headquarters to offer our supporters a glimpse into the varied work we do every day to protect land for everyone, forever.  

“Community and pride—these are my takeaways from our Members Meeting,” said Membership Manager Kyla Isakson. “Gathering our supporters not only showed them what their generosity does for land conservation, but it also provided a space to mingle with friends old and new who share the same passion for the environment.  I’m proud to be a part of the Wildlands community, both as a staff member and a resident of the region.” 

In the Community Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm, several staff members presented a summary of the Wildlands Trust 2025 Community Impact Report, which can be found here.  

To start, Wildlands President Karen Grey discussed the diversity of Southeastern Massachusetts—and therefore the diversity of ways Wildlands carries out its mission. She noted that this was Wildlands’ first members meeting in nearly 20 years, since members voted on all organizational decisions. We have since changed our governance structure to promote programmatic and financial stability, but we continue to include our members in meaningful ways. 

Wildlands President Karen Grey polls the audience at the Members Meeting.

Up next was Land Protection Director Scott MacFaden, who shared updates about the lands that Wildlands is working to protect. In 2025, Wildlands protected 383 acres of valuable open space, including Conservation Restrictions (CRs) in two new towns (Scituate and Cohasset) and on nearly 150 acres of farmland.  

Then came Stewardship Manager Owen Grey, who summarized Wildlands’ recent efforts to maintain and restore conservation lands across the region. Highlights include improvements to ecological health and public access at Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke and an accessible river overlook platform at Striar Snake River Preserve in Taunton. 

Next, Programming Coordinator Amy Burt presented on our youth education initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and public programs, which in 2025 reached over 700 participants.  

Finally, Chief of Staff Rachel Bruce shared successes from the D.W. Field Park Initiative, through which we have raised nearly $5 million since 2022 to revitalize the City of Brockton’s 700-acre D.W. Field Park. This initiative is one of several that Wildlands has spearheaded to advance climate resilience and environmental justice in Southeastern Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities. 

The Members Meeting was an opportunity for members not only to listen, but also to ask questions about our work and connect with one another. Before and after the presentation, members mingled over coffee and cookies and bonded over their shared passion for regional land conservation. 

We hope to make Members Meetings an annual offering again after a long hiatus. Stay tuned for future announcements! In the meantime, please enjoy the benefits associated with your membership, including reduced admission to Wildlands programs, discounts at local and retailers and farms, and the satisfaction of knowing you are making the difference in the future of Southeastern Massachusetts. 

 We express our deep gratitude to all our members, who make our work possible and worthwhile. 

Become a member today at wildlandstrust.org/membership.