What’s New at Wildlands
Leadership Council Unites Over Nature, Hope, Chowder at Fall Supper
Wildlands President Karen Grey addresses the Leadership Council at the 2025 fall supper.
By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator
In late October, nearly 100 of Southeastern Massachusetts’ most influential conservation champions gathered at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth to celebrate the work Wildlands Trust has accomplished in the past year. Wildlands hosts the Leadership Council fall supper each year to thank and unite the generous individuals who provide upper-level donor support to our mission.
It was a gorgeous autumn evening for the event. Under a tent outside the Community Conservation Barn, Leadership Council members were treated to an artisan charcuterie board, a raw oyster bar hosted by Island Creek Oysters, wine and beer from Pioppi’s Package Store, and handcrafted chocolates donated by Stuzzi Café & Sweet Shop. Inside the barn, attendees were served clam and corn chowder, and for dessert, apple and pumpkin pie. Each attendee also received a gift bag of fresh cranberries donated by the Gilmore Cranberry Company, along with a Wildlands Trust ceramic coaster.
Leadership Council members enjoy the charcuterie board at the fall supper.
Yet the highlight of the evening was neither the food tasted nor gifts bestowed, but the stories told and the company shared. Two guest speakers, invited and introduced by Wildlands President Karen Grey, commended Wildlands’ unassuming yet vital work at a critical moment in local and global environmental history.
“It is an honor of my job to know so many of you and to understand the different ways each of you helps to advance our mission. You are essential partners in our work to protect land across the region, and we could not do it without you .”
First, conservation photographer Jerry Monkman reflected on his 30-year career, capturing the places and people at the heart of New England’s natural heritage. As owner of EcoPhotography and Reel Quest Films, Monkman has provided Wildlands with breathtaking photo and video content for almost two decades. To open his remarks, Monkman noted that amid a chaotic upbringing, it was his ability to roam the forests, fields, and rivers near his northern Illinois childhood home that kept him healthy and whole. Years later, when a cancer diagnosis put his adventurous career on hold, it was the nature of his own backyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that saved him again. Monkman has been cancer free for over 10 years.
Jerry Monkman and his wife, Marcy.
“Having easy access to open space close to home, where I could go within a few minutes while I was sick and just spend an hour listening to the surf or meditating in the woods, I really believe had a strong impact on my recovery,” Monkman said. "I came to believe that easy access to open space is a basic human right, and we should all think of it that way.”
Monkman then recounted his mutually beneficial relationship with Wildlands.
“I just love working with Wildlands Trust,” he said. “They're awesome, fun people to work with. I've worked with environmental organizations from small land trusts all the way up to some of the biggest international organizations in the world. And I've got to say, Wildlands Trust is definitely one of the better-run organizations. They know how to get stuff done.”
Monkman then debuted his latest project for Wildlands, a promotional film narrated by President Grey centering on the theme, Saving Land for Everyone, Forever. Watch the film here.
Mass Audubon President David O’Neill addresses the Leadership Council.
The final speaker of the night was David O’Neill, President of Mass Audubon. “This is what community looks like,” he marveled at the start of his address, scanning the packed room. Amid turmoil and uncertainty at the federal level, O’Neill emphasized the importance of investing in local, tangible improvements to social and environmental well-being.
“Focusing on the negative is too easy,” O’Neill said. “I'm like, ‘Look, what can we do about this? What is in our agency to make a difference today?’ It's the work that's happening in communities all across the country to do great things as a bulwark against what's happening in D.C. What Wildlands Trust is doing each and every day is what we all have to do. And we have to magnify that more than we've ever done before.”
O’Neill concluded by highlighting the Nature for Massachusetts campaign, which is advocating for the state to dedicate $100 million of existing tax revenue each year to advance land and water conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resiliency. Spearheading the effort is the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition, a group of over 50 environmental organizations, including Mass Audubon and Wildlands Trust.
The Leadership Council enjoys light refreshments and good company under a tent outside the barn.
“Nature is a unifying force,” O’Neill added. “It should not be a political issue. It should be something that brings us together, and it does each and every day. And we need more of it. We need to protect it, and in places that don't have it, we need to offer it.”
Through laughter, stories, handshakes, and hugs, the unifying force of nature was on full display at last month’s fall supper. We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous members of the Leadership Council, who make our work possible.
Wildlands hosts two Leadership Council appreciation events each year, the fall supper and a spring preserve tour. Learn more and join the Leadership Council at wildlandstrust.org/leadership-council.
Leadership Council Brunch Honors High-Impact Donors
On June 13, Wildlands Trust honored its Leadership Council with a brunch at idyllic Whip’s Farm in Plymouth.
Leadership Council members provide upper-level donor support to Wildlands. With an annual gift totaling $500 or more, Leadership Council members help secure Wildlands’ status as a premier regional land trust in New England.
“The Leadership Council gathering at Whip’s Farm was a resounding success in all the ways we envisioned and hoped for,” said Donor Relations Manager Rob Kluin. “Foremost, we wanted the event to celebrate and showcase the circle of remarkable people who are supporting Wildlands Trust’s mission at the ‘leadership’ level of giving. Their consistent and generous support makes them integral partners in our work. The event’s setting at Whip’s Farm, with its spectacular views of lands permanently protected by Wildlands, cast an inspiring spotlight on what successful land conservation partnerships look like and how they benefit people and nature. In sharing words of gratitude under a tent filled with Leadership Council friends, Wildlands President Karen Grey highlighted Wildlands’ impacts and the timely need for its continued efforts. Growing the base of our most generous Leadership Council donors will be vital to keeping in step with that ever-growing demand.”
Click through the photo gallery below for more sights from the Leadership Council brunch. Photos by Ken Grille.
After a delicious brunch catered by Rye Tavern, attendees heard from local and regional conservation leaders about the work that the Leadership Council helps support. Wildlands Board Chair Sam Chapin introduced President Karen Grey, who spoke about the unique partnerships that Wildlands has fostered over the years by adopting a community-first mindset. David Gould, Director of the Town of Plymouth’s Department of Energy & Environment, corroborated Grey’s remarks, praising Wildlands as a holistic partner that makes big ideas possible.
To put a bow on a perfect day, many attendees joined Wildlands staff for a walk from Whip’s Farm to Eel River Preserve, Wildlands’ abutting riverside property.
To show its appreciation for Leadership Council members, Wildlands holds a supper at Davis-Douglas Farm each fall and a preserve tour each spring.
Thank you to all the members of the Leadership Council, who provide vital support to our work to protect and restore the natural beauty of Southeastern Massachusetts.
To join the Leadership Council, visit wildlandstrust.org/leadership-council or contact Donor Relations Manager Rob Kluin at rkluin@wildlandstrust.org or (774) 343-5121 ext. 113.
Welcome, Rob Kluin!
Wildlands Trust is ecstatic to welcome Rob Kluin to our growing staff! As Donor Relations Manager, Rob will forge and foster relationships with generous individuals and businesses across Southeastern Massachusetts, securing vital support for our mission. Get to know Rob in the bio below, and reacquaint yourself with our whole staff at wildlandstrust.org/staff.
Rob replaces longtime Donor Relations Manager Sue Chamberlain, who retired this spring after 11 years of service to Wildlands. We look forward to honoring her at our Leadership Council brunch next month. Stay tuned for more reflection on Sue’s impactful career.
If you would like to support our work to protect the region’s remarkable lands and waters, Rob would love to hear from you! Say hello at 774-343-5121 ext. 113 or rkluin@wildlandstrust.org.
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Rob Kluin, Donor Relations Manager - ☎️ 📧
A people person and a nature person, Rob Kluin is a rarity in the conservation field. As Donor Relations Manager, Rob leverages his networking and communication skills to connect Wildlands Trust with vital support from the communities we serve.
Growing up in the Adirondacks, Rob developed a lifelong respect for land protection and stewardship. At a crossroads in his career, Rob knew he wanted to settle in a place with the same reverence for the natural world. As he flipped through an atlas for potential next stops, Plymouth’s ragged coastline caught his eye. Then came a serendipitous job offer that made his dream a reality. Rob moved in near Shifting Lots Preserve, where he got to know Wildlands’ far-reaching work. Two decades later, Rob jumped at the chance to put his people skills to work for the organization that helped him fall in love with the region.
“I truly love people, and Wildlands brings people together for the common good,” Rob said. “That’s a very positive and impressive thing in a world of so many differences. I would love for my legacy to be that I opened doors for new people to support Wildlands’ mission.”
As Donor Relations Manager, Rob collaborates with the Wildlands team to grow the donor base and maintain strong relationships with existing contributors. Before joining Wildlands, Rob held senior communications and marketing positions with corporate and nonprofit organizations, including Manomet Conservation Sciences and Plimoth Patuxet Museums. He continues to serve on Manomet’s board of trustees and was vice president of the board for Cape Rep Theatre for eight years. Rob holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York and a master's degree in Corporate Communications from Ithaca College.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys gardening, traveling, cooking, swimming, and spending quality time with his family, friends, and cat Mocha.
Leadership Council Honored at New Stewardship Training Center
By Kyla Isakson, Membership and Digital Media Coordinator
Leadership Council members gather around the Stewardship Training Center front gardens to listen to remarks by Board Chair Sam Chapin and President Karen Grey.
On Thursday, June 8, Wildlands Trust welcomed over 60 Leadership Council members to explore our recent 30-acre acquisition on Halfway Pond in Plymouth. The reception honored those who have contributed major gifts this year. We were so happy to host this wonderful group and show them our deep appreciation for their generous support.
After a hearty breakfast in our new Stewardship Training Center (STC), guests were ushered out to the blooming front gardens to hear from Board Chair Sam Chapin and President Karen Grey. Sam shared some wonderful knowledge about the property and the area surrounding beautiful Halfway Pond. Karen followed to detail the immense growth that Wildlands has experienced over the last 50 years, and how much more there is to look forward to, starting with establishing the STC to improve the skills, knowledge, and capacity of the land stewardship community in Massachusetts. Following these uplifting speeches, Leadership Council members had the opportunity to intermingle, take a short tour around the property led by our stewardship staff, and explore the impressive 12,000-square-foot Center, from the woodshop and learning area in the basement all the way to the bedrooms and attic. We were proud to show off our newest undertaking, and although there is still much to do, we are excited to see how this project will take shape and help advance land conservation through skill-building for volunteers and continuing education for professionals.
Stewardship Coordinator Zoë Smiarowski shows Leadership Council members around Wildlands’ new 30-acre parcel on Halfway Pond.
Leadership Council gifts are the foundation of Wildlands' annual giving, making it possible for us to continue to grow and meet the conservation needs of Southeastern Massachusetts. Our region benefits greatly from the generosity of this special group of donors, including through cleaner air and water, protected habitats for diverse wildlife, and abundant open space for all to enjoy.
To show our appreciation for the Leadership Council, Wildlands hosts a celebration in the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm each fall and offers a Preserve Tour at a different Wildlands property each June. Leadership Council members are also recognized on a plaque that hangs in the Davis-Douglas Farmhouse at our headquarters.
Do you, too, want to provide vital support for Wildlands’ efforts to preserve the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts? Join our Leadership Council today and secure your spot at our next special event this fall!
Click through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Preserve Tour.
Leadership Council Honored at Annual Preserve Tour
Read Time: 2 min
By Kyla Isakson, Membership and Digital Media Coordinator
The Leadership Council’s 8th Annual Preserve Tour took place on Friday, June 10. Over 40 members convened with Wildlands’ staff at the entrance of Great River Preserve, in Bridgewater, for a reception to honor the group of donors who contributed major gifts this year. They received a warm welcome from Chairman of the Board Sam Chapin and Executive Director Karen Grey, detailing the importance of the group’s dedication to our organization and the value of the unique lands we conserve.
After a wonderful breakfast, Wildlands’ Board Members and avid birders Brian Harrington and Wayne Petersen each led a portion of the attendants on a walk through the preserve. Time was spent embracing the valuable diversity of the surrounding land and wildlife, observing American Robins, Great Blue Herons, Yellow Warblers, Bobolinks, Grackles, Baltimore Orioles, dragonflies, and American toads, just to name a few! Our knowledgeable guides shared tips for identifying different bird species based on both appearance and vocalizations. Wildlands Trust is incredibly grateful to all of our Leadership Council members for the significant and important support they provide for land conservation throughout the year!
