Linking up Local Land Conservationists

Why was forester Phil Benjamin presenting in the Trust's Community Conservation Barn earlier this month? And who was in the audience?

For the past few years, Wildlands Trust has brought together southeastern Massachusetts town open space committee members, conservation agents, conservation commissioners, and land trust committees together for quarterly Open Space Forums. These forums are held to help share information about how towns have handled challenges on managing their open space, how they have effectively utilized funding sources, how they have found success with public outreach, and much more.

Not only do Open Space Forums help facilitate open discussion, information sharing, and collaboration, but the Trust invites various professionals to present on relevant and interesting conservation topics. On November 9, over twenty local conservation workers gathered in the Community Conservation Barn to learn about forest stand health and active management, invasive species control, and wildlife habitat from Certified Forester and Director of the Mass Forest Alliance Phil Benjamin. 

Previous Open Space Forum headlining topics have included: Forest Health Management, Trail Design, Signage & Amenities, Social media for Public Outreach, Conservation Partnerships & LAND Grants, Climate Adaptation, and GIS Habitat Mapping. At our next forum we will be presenting on the topic of building ADA Accessible Trails. 

We'd like to thank Phil Benjamin and all of our past presenters and attendees for continuing to make these forums meaningful and useful for local conservation efforts. 

If you are a conservation professional and would like to be included in the invites please contact Ryan Krapp, Community Conservation Program Manager at rkrapp@wildlandstrust.org.

Meet Ryan Krapp - our new Program Manager of Community Conservation

You may have met Ryan at the opening of Wildlands Trust Marshfield Hoyt-Hall preserve where Ryan showcased all the work he did to create a beautiful new trail system.  Ryan first worked as a consultant for Wildlands Trust and in October 2016 the Trust welcomed him on board as a full-time staff member. 

Ryan earned his bachelors and masters degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from the University of North Dakota and has over 15 years of experience working for state fish and wildlife agencies and also as an environmental consultant with various private engineering firms.  He has experience in project management, planning, and natural resource surveys, Endangered Species Act and Wetland Protection Act compliance, permitting, and consultation with federal and state wildlife agencies and local conservation commissions. Ryan has extensive experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems.

Ryan is an avid outdoorsman and takes full advantage of the numerous natural environments in SE Massachusetts including saltwater and freshwater fishing, hunting, hiking and lobstering in the Canal. He is passionate about conservation and recognizes the importance of getting youth involved with outdoor activities. He has won numerous national awards within the Mule Deer Foundation and was honored by Field and Stream Magazine as the 2014 Conservation Hero of the Year.

He will be heading up the new Community Conservation Program at Wildlands Trust which offers consultation and project management to private, municipal, town and other nonprofit organizations.

He currently is assisting LStar Management at SouthField in the design and installation of numerous trail systems within the forest and grassland habitats at the former site of the United States Naval Air Station in South Weymouth. He is also assisting other nonprofit and local municipalities interested developing and maintaining recreational trails and trail-related facilities.

Please contact Ryan if you have any questions about assistance on stewardship projects or any of the conservation programs at Wildlands Trust. 

October Newsletter

Our fall newsletter will soon be arriving in your mailbox.  Read it online here!

Trust-held Conservation Restriction in Hanson Helps Protect Town Water Supply and Riparian Corridor

The Trust partnered with the Town of Hanson to preserve an 11.2 acre parcel which is one of Hanson’s earliest CPA-funded open space acquisitions.  The Town acquired the Property with the Trust’s assistance several years ago, and we completed the Conservation Restriction earlier this year. 

The Property expands a wildlife corridor and green-way along Poor Meadow Brook, a tributary of the Wild & Scenic Taunton River, and helps to protect the nearby Crystal Spring well field.  Thanks to Hanson Open Space Committee Chair Phil Clemons for his outstanding work in helping to advance this project to completion.  

Eagle Scouts Complete Project at Willow Brook Preserve

Willow Brook Preserve is experiencing a makeover this fall with the help of twins, Camden and Colton Cappa, from Pembroke Boy Scouts Troop 105. Both have hiked the preserve in the past and saw some ways that they could enhance visitor experience.

Camden is working on the carpentry side of things, replacing older benches and installing a picnic table which will allow visitors to stop and grab a bite while taking in a view of the picturesque fields at Willow Brook. Colton will be installing signage to help guide walkers to Willow Brook Preserve's most visited spots which include the Tower and the Mary-Harry Todd trail. Colton is also partnering with local drone photographer, Lee Woodward, to get some beautiful HD aerial shots of our preserve which we will be sharing on our Facebook page and website.

During this project, Camden and Colton received help from friends: Coleman Earner, Lucas Evans, Justin Geiser, Connor Giese, Eric/Greg Kaplowitz, Nicholas Palmer, Coleman/Sean Spring, and Thomas Tremblay.  If you know of any Boy Scouts who are looking for an Eagle Scout project, feel free to contact eboyer@wildlandstrust.org.