Rob MacDonald at Sylvester Field Conservation Area in Hanover, where he is an Adopt-a-Preserve volunteer.
By Mya Cusson, Communications Coordinator
Key volunteer Rob MacDonald has been involved with Wildlands Trust for nearly three decades. A lifelong resident of Southeastern Massachusetts, Rob spent his childhood exploring the conservation land behind his home in Randolph. While his early adult years in the banking industry pulled him away from the outdoors, his love for exploring nature never died.
For Rob, working in IT at a large national cooperation motivated him to find a way to get outside. His employer began providing time off for volunteering and eventually providing a charitable match for employee volunteer hours. After his first volunteer day with Wildlands at Willow Brook Farm, Rob was hooked. Soon enough, our stewardship team was regularly asking Rob for help with projects on an individual basis, and now Rob is an integral part of Wildlands Trust. Serving as an Adopt-a-Preserve volunteer, a hike leader, and a member of both the stewardship and lands committees, Rob says his role here can best be described as, "whatever you need, I'll do."
Rob's track record here shows that this couldn't be more true. Over the years, he has helped with everything from clearing and mapping trails to IT support to photography. When asked why he continues to support Wildlands, his answer was simple. "It's right in my backyard," he said, "I know that the money and the time that I give is focused right here."
Aside from the local impact of Wildlands, Rob also believes in the community that this organization provides. "There's a lot of nice people who are just coming out trying to do a little bit or work for preservation, and that enthusiasm is the backbone of Wildlands Trust."
This organization would not be the same without Rob MacDonald, or without all of our amazing volunteers who make the work we do possible. If you would like to get involved with Wildlands, check out our volunteer page.
One of Rob's many hats at Wildlands is as a volunteer photographer. Check out some photos from his time at Willow Brook Farm over the years below.
