What’s New at Wildlands
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' Community Welcomed Back at Opening Day 2022
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
On May 1, the Wildlands community came together at our Davis-Douglas Farm headquarters, in Plymouth, to kick off the 2022 programming season. Near-perfect spring weather was a bonus for all who attended our Opening Day celebration, making for a fun and relaxing Sunday afternoon that surely left many visitors daydreaming of the summer days ahead!
Friends of all ages, people and pets, families, returning members, staff, volunteers, and first-time visitors enjoyed local beer and live music on the lawn, explored craft activities and games, and learned all about the Wildlands Trust community, the work we're doing, and the various opportunities to join us--at our programs and events, as volunteers, and through membership.
The Conservation Barn was open for visitors to peruse information tables about current offerings and initiatives at Wildlands, or to purchase soft pretzels, fresh out of the oven. Many visitors enjoyed lengthy conversations with our staff and volunteers inside the Barn, while some of our youngest visitors dropped in just long enough to find the lollipops that adorned the display areas.
Wildlands’ Programming and Outreach Manager Claire Johnston said, “We are thrilled to have people interested in learning about us, what we’ve been doing, and what’s to come!” And our entire staff loved seeing all of the smiling faces and the steady buzz of activity around our headquarters that day. We can't wait to keep the momentum going as our 2022 programming season gets underway, so be on the lookout for more fabulous events to come!
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
Shifting Lots' Shorebirds Are Counting on You!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
The Piping Plovers are back at Shifting Lots for the 2022 season! Protective fencing was installed around the birds’ nesting area at the end of March by staff and volunteers from Wildlands Trust and the Friends of Ellisville Marsh. The shorebirds are expected to begin laying their first eggs in early May, and will remain at the preserve throughout the summer months.
In preparation for the birds’ annual return, Wildlands’ staff and volunteers set up information tables at various times throughout the month of March, talking with visitors and providing informational materials about the value of wild beaches and marshes, the ways we manage the land to support wildlife, and how visitors’ actions can help to protect this important habitat. In case you missed this on-site educational opportunity, our team has created a short summary to provide you with all the “need-to-know” information about Shifting Lots Preserve and its shorebird protection.
Join Us for Opening Day 2022 at Wildlands Trust!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
Spring is in the air! Temperatures are warming, flowers are blooming, and the annual greening of the landscape is underway. At Wildlands, we are celebrating the promise of an exciting season of programming with our “Opening Day” at the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm.
Join us for this free event on Sunday, May 1 (12pm-4pm) to enjoy the beauty of our Plymouth headquarters, learn about Wildlands Trust and some of the exciting projects we have planned, and find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Gather your friends and family, and plan to spend the afternoon with us! You’re welcome to bring a picnic of your own or purchase snacks at the barn, and IndieFerm beer will be available for purchase. In addition to live music and lawn games throughout the event, there will be a guided nature walk/craft activity for children at 12pm, and an Adopt-a-Preserve training program at 1pm, for adults interested in making a monthly commitment to help monitor Wildlands’ preserves.
(*Pre-registration is only required for the two scheduled events. Visit: https://wildlandstrust.org/events/2022/5/1/opening-day for the link to the Eventbrite registration.)
