What’s New at Wildlands
Vandalism Threatens Shorebirds at Shifting Lots Preserve
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
We are disappointed to report that, for the second year in a row, we are experiencing significant vandalism at Shifting Lots Preserve, in Plymouth. Wildlands' protective fencing that surrounds the shorebird nesting areas, as well as signage informing visitors that dogs are not allowed on the beach, has been damaged and/or removed by visitors on several occasions this spring. The fencing and signs are both critical tools we use to ensure the safety of protected birds on our preserve.
As many of you know, Shifting Lots provides important habitat for Piping Plovers, which are listed as Threatened on both the Massachusetts and Federal Endangered Species Lists, and Least Terns, which are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Massachusetts and are protected under the state Endangered Species Act (MESA).
We know that the Wildlands community cares about local wildlife as much as we do. So, we are asking you to join us in making sure that such acts of vandalism do not continue. If you observe anything unusual and/or see vandalism to our fencing or signage at Shifting Lots Preserve, please take photos and/or videos and reach out to the Plymouth Police Department with the information as soon as possible. We appreciate your support in the protection of these vulnerable species!
(Read Executive Director Karen Grey’s letter to Shifting Lots’ neighbors here.)
Leadership Council to Be Recognized at Preserve Tour
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
On Friday, June 10, our 8th Annual Leadership Council Preserve Tour will be held at Great River Preserve, in Bridgewater. Wildlands Trust’s Leadership Council is composed of the generous donors who have contributed $500 or more to our annual fund, and it’s open to anyone who wishes to make such a donation. Members are welcomed into this group throughout the year, as gifts are received, and are notified through a Leadership Council invitation from our Donor Relations Manager, Sue Chamberlain.
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--with cleaner air and water, protected wildlife and habitats, and abundant open space for all to enjoy.
To show our appreciation for our Leadership Council, Wildlands holds a Fall Supper in the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm each November, and a Preserve Tour at a different showcase preserve each June. Leadership Council members’ names are also recognized with a plaque that hangs at the Davis-Douglas Farmhouse at our headquarters.
The 2022 Preserve Tour at Great River Preserve promises to be a treat for our members. This stunning preserve encompasses a range of habitats and features, with over a mile of pristine river frontage along one of the most beautiful and undisturbed stretches of the lengthy Taunton River. With expansive open fields, mixed pine/oak woodlands, vernal pools, and habitat for several rare species, including the Eastern Box Turtle, few other properties along this “Wild and Scenic River” offer comparable aesthetic and ecological value. After a delicious breakfast at the preserve, birding experts will guide the tour and offer information about the abundance of birds that inhabit the area.
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!
Wildlands Introduces Planned Giving Society: Hathaway Legacy Partners
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
Shifting Lots Preserve, Plymouth
Wildlands’ new planned giving society recognizes those who have included Wildlands Trust in their estate plans. Its name is inspired by the life of Mary Chilton Hathaway, a visionary conservationist who had the courage and strength to make the world she inherited a much better place. Mary spent her life in Kingston, Massachusetts – attending Kingston High School and later teaching at Silver Lake Regional High School, where she chaired the English Department. An enthusiast of physical activity, Mary always chose walking over driving. Several decades ago, Mary began noticing, with alarm, how much land was being lost to development, and thus began her battle to protect the wild spaces of Southeastern Massachusetts. Because of her energy, tenacity, and her own gifts of land parcels, future generations will know the enjoyment of open spaces and quiet woodlands.*
Watch for a response card in future mailings, inviting you to let us know if you have already included Wildlands in your will, or if you would like to learn more about ways to join the Hathaway Legacy Partners. Options for planned gifts include bequests, trusts, real estate, insurance policies and more.
By joining the Hathaway Legacy Partners, you can help us continue to protect the natural beauty of our region and preserve the quality of our air and water. Members will be listed in the Conservation Barn at Wildlands’ Davis-Douglas Farm headquarters and invited to an annual luncheon to learn more about the progress we’re making together. We hope to see you there!
For more information or help with any estate questions, visit our Hathaway Legacy Partners page or contact Sue Chamberlain at schamberlain@wildlandstrust.org or call 774-343-5121 x114.
* Obituary of Mary Chilton Hathaway, Boston Globe (Boston, MA), 15 January 2022. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/mary-hathaway-obituary?id=32255666
Wildlands Trust Awarded Planning Grant for Brockton Park Restoration
In March 2022, Wildlands Trust received an anonymous grant from a private foundation to fund the initial planning and design stages of a significant revitalization project proposed for Brockton’s 700-acre D.W. Field Park. Working collaboratively with city officials, including the Mayor’s Office, and several community-based and statewide partners, the conservation organization says the proposed project will provide much-needed improvements to the well-utilized open space and recreation area over the next 5 to 7 years.
Read Time: 4 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
This week, Wildlands Trust received an anonymous grant from a private foundation to fund the initial planning and design stages of a significant revitalization project proposed for Brockton’s 700-acre D.W. Field Park. Working collaboratively with city officials, including the Mayor’s Office, and several community-based and statewide partners, the conservation organization says the proposed project will provide much-needed improvements to the well-utilized open space and recreation area over the next 5 to 7 years.
“I am extremely grateful to this private foundation for its generous investment in D.W. Field Park – a park that is frequented by a wide number of patrons from all over the Commonwealth,” said Mayor Robert F. Sullivan. “I am a strong advocate for collaboration with organizations who can help make the City of Brockton better, and I look forward to witnessing the final product of this important revitalization project.”
“I very much look forward to working with Wildlands Trust on this project,” said Superintendent of Parks Tim Carpenter. “It marks an investment in D.W. Field Park, both by making immediate physical improvements and, perhaps more importantly, it marks an investment in the future of the park through community engagement and creating an understanding and passion for the park for years to come."
The expansive green space of D.W. Field Park is very important in the densely populated City of Brockton. With seven miles of paved road for walking, running, and biking, several ponds, trails, and a 65-foot stone observation tower, it has been a valued resource for residents for nearly 100 years. However, the park has suffered considerable decay over the years, and is in need of costly repairs and maintenance.
“Having grown-up in Brockton, I have a very strong sense of how important the park is to the people of this city,” said Karen Grey, President of Wildlands Trust. “Wildlands is well-positioned to convene the partners, conduct the planning, and leverage the funding to restore the glory of Field Park.”
“Over the years, Wildlands Trust has made significant contributions to the Stone Farm Conservation Area” said City Planner Rob May. “They have been tremendous partners to the City of Brockton, assisting with overall maintenance efforts throughout the park. I am excited for them and look forward to collaborating with them on this crucial revitalization project."
The main goals of the proposed project are to improve ecological functioning within the park, address deteriorating infrastructure, upgrade recreational amenities, and provide education and outreach for youth and adults in the community. According to Wildlands Trust’s project manager Rachel Calderara, “We are embarking on a truly collaborative process that will help us create plans that reflect the community’s values, wants, and needs. This park is a pillar of life in the city, and we want all Brockton residents to feel that it is accessible and valuable.”
Wildlands Trust has been invested in the City of Brockton for over a decade, protecting and restoring 250 acres of open space at the Brockton Audubon Preserve and Stone Farm Conservation Area, coaching more than 125 Brockton High School students in the Massachusetts Envirothon program that introduces high school students to environmental issues and related career opportunities, managing community outreach for the city’s urban tree planting program (Greening the Gateway Cities), providing Brockton youth with paid service-learning positions on supervised natural resource projects, and advising community gardening, church, and neighborhood park groups interested in furthering environmental progress in the city.
Wildlands Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conserving land and preserving the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts. The organization works to permanently protect and steward essential habitats and landscapes, including woodlands and fields, ponds, coastal areas, farmland, and river systems. Founded in 1973, Wildlands Trust is among Massachusetts' largest and oldest land trusts, whose work has led to the protection of 13,000 acres of land across a 1,500-square-mile coverage area, with over 100 miles of conservation trails for public enjoyment. Wildlands Trust is committed to establishing and improving access to nature for all people, responding to the needs and interests of cities and towns they serve. Wildlands Trust’s programs and services have been supporting equity and inclusion in the City of Brockton since 2012.
Wildlands Starts the New Year with a Return to Remote Activities
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
The start of a new calendar year provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the previous year's successes and challenges, and look ahead with hope to new goals and plans for the year to come. As we reported in our Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter, Wildlands Trust ended 2021 with much excitement about the addition of our new staff members, and we had optimistically begun a post-Covid return to in-person programming.
However, if there's one thing we've learned in the last two years, it is that thriving under challenging circumstances requires both an ability to adapt and a willingness to change! This month, in response to the surge in Covid-19 cases in Southeastern Massachusetts, Wildlands Trust made the decision to, once again, reduce our in-person interactions until it is safer for the members of our community to be together.
At this time, Wildlands' staff members are working in a hybrid model, utilizing both remote work and scheduled time in the office as needed, and our board meetings are being conducted remotely until further notice. Additionally, all indoor programming has been canceled or moved outdoors. In order to keep our community connected and our members active throughout another challenging winter, Wildlands' programming team is working hard to increase outdoor and virtual program options. Please be sure to check our website and social media pages regularly to stay up-to-date with the latest information about upcoming events!
We've done this before, and we can do it again! Wildlands Trust is committed to weathering the world's changing circumstances with you, and we will (again) look forward to seeing each other in-person soon!
