The Magic of Weir River

One special volunteer has convinced me to visit Hingham twice in the past month, specifically our Weir River Farm reservation. Signe McCullough is this enigmatic force of intelligence, creativity, and fun. Sitting in her living room, constructed in the mid-1600s, and discussing possibilities for The Trustees is a bit like stepping back into another day. Sun beams in, bouncing off the beautiful barn and century-old trees. Fire roars and coffee-table books abound. This is a woman who loves the country, land, and purpose.

Our paths have crossed two times in one month, and for good reason. Signe walks Whitney and Thayer Woods and Weir River Farm daily. She loves what we mean for her family, her life, and for the people of Hingham where she and her husband are raising their four children. She thinks a lot about our properties on these daily walks and has used her ideas to drive a movement. Let me explain.

Chefs from Tosca prepare our delicious dinner with
veggies sourced right from Weir River Farm.

Signe believes in locally sourced food. So much so that she conceived our first Farm to Table dinner with Trustees’ colleagues, Ed Pitcavage and Meg Connolly. She recruited a few friends and they were off and running, planning and executing one of the most amazing feasts I’ve ever had the privilege of joining – all of it locally sourced right from Weir River. A blissful Saturday afternoon in September, Signe and friends welcomed 100-plus guests from Hingham for a memorable experience – one I hope we can replicate across our farm network.

I watched a movement be born in Hingham through this effort, and it is energizing. Through one property, we’ve excited new Trustees about the vital role a local farm plays in a community. We’ve awakened the magic a reservation creates for the new visitor. And we’ve brought the farm to the table. All values we believe in at The Trustees and in symphony.

Katie with Meg Connolly, our long-time
farm educator.

It’s because of Signe that I got to meet another special lady, Katie Bilzekian. Katie started coming to Weir River when she was seven; she’s now 15. Katie was one of Meg’s first 4-H’ers, and I am thrilled that Meg and Weir River have created a true ambassador of farming, seven years strong. Katie reminds me so much of Signe – both in love with Weir River and dedicated to its stability and programming.

Whether you live in the area or are just passing through, a stop at Weir River is well worth the experience. Be on the lookout for Signe on her daily walk along the stone wall or Katie tending to the animals. One afternoon on the farm and you’ll be an ambassador for local food and local farms for life – just like the rest of us.

Hat's Off

Peter Pinciaro, Greater Boston Operations Manager,
congratulates Bob Murray, Castle Hill Superintendent, on 30
years of service (after telling everyone Bob was way into
ABBA in college...)

Our Trustees Annual (and my first) Staff meeting last week started with awards and ended with a historical tour of our newest reservation, Governor Ames Community Park in Easton. It was a great day to mix and mingle with our colleagues, enjoy a tasty lunch and tour, and celebrate folks who've served The Trustees with their time and talent for 5, 10, 15, 25 and 30 years! Here's a snapshot of the day in photos.

Land Conservation Vice President Wes Ward warms up to
the mike, after getting congrats on his 30 amazing years
of service.

Greater Boston Regional Director Steve Sloan is stealing
the spotlight at my first all-staff meeting.

Our staff good-naturedly grins at the camera post-lunch.

And we’re walking...

...and walking....

Hats off (Wes’s hat, to be precise) to all who made this
event a fantastic day!

For The Birds

Coastal Ecologist Brian Degasperis and Ecology
Program Director Russ Hopping gave me a bird's-eye
tour of Crane Beach.

As we said goodbye to summer, I had the opportunity to participate in two extraordinary events. One in Ipswich and the other in Nantucket, and both had to do with birds!

We held our annual staff picnic at Steep Hill Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich. It was a wonderful day, with families invited to partake in the day's festivities. As the new leader of this incredible group of professionals, it was inspiring to meet the loved ones that support us all. Relishing in a glorious day of sunshine, we were visitors instead of staffers, and we enjoyed great barbecue and ice cream – and, of course, great company.

For those who have been reading this blog since its inception, you will know that I am incredibly passionate about and grateful for the team we have. Our places would not be what they are if it weren't for the dedication and commitment of the people in the offices and in the field. Thus, it was great for me to enjoy the day together.

I also had the great pleasure of learning about our ecosystem work with Trustees' Ecology Program Director Russ Hopping and Coastal Ecologist Brian Degasperis. When we talk about ecology here at The Trustees, people often assume we are referencing the bird work. It's about more than birds, though; it's about healthy places.

Through Russ's orientation, I learned about the long-term ecological approach we've taken to keeping The Crane Estate healthy. From allowing beach grasses and dunes to thrive in their natural state to mitigating the impact of our human use on this incredible refuge, The Trustees ensure that the land is for all, including the species that depend on it.

If you visit Crane Beach today, you will see areas of this beautiful coastline roped off to visitors. Crane plays a critical role in the migration passage of many species of birds and we ensure that they can do this uninterrupted while also giving people access. It's a fine balance and we monitor it on a daily basis across our coastal work.

What inspired me is the educational signage detailing our shorebird work, including a photo identification book for the curious visitor. As we were walking the beach, I saw many stop and read about our commitment to bird protection and engage in conservation. This is The Trustees: land for all, encouraging attachment to nature.

Great Point Lighthouse is a highlight of the refuge.

From Ipswich, I caught a puddle jumper to Nantucket for our annual Great Point Circle affair! A popular event held on Great Point, part of our Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, this is a unique fundraiser. No chicken dinners and stuffy speeches – this is a toes-in-the-sand gathering complete with crashing waves on one side and beautiful lighthouse on the other.

Started by volunteers, the Great Point Circle serve as our ambassadors on Nantucket. They come from all over the Northeast and their love for Nantucket is the common thread. With fishermen, sailors, hikers, and beach goers, they flock to this wildlife haven as soon as we open the Point annually.

What’s fascinating is that these visitors share the Point with plovers and terns, with the birds inhabiting the property for half the summer. This has caused some stir over the years, as the plover population rebounds ever so slightly and experiences more fledges, causing us to delay the opening of Great Point for visitor use. Ultimately, this reduces the time a summer Nantucketer can experience the beauty of the Point and that can be frustrating. Yet the people I talked with at this event understood the compromise.

Lovers of nature know that it's about a larger ecosystem. It's the sum of the parts and if all elements are supported, any special place is better for it. So we celebrated the official opening of the point during the last week of August, and raised a glass to all who work so hard to manage this property, and, of course, to the birds.

As I've said before, it's about people and place, especially healthy people and healthy places.

Family Albums

The Trustees' State Archivest, Mark Wilson, shared with
me some of the earliest records and documents
of the organization.

Had such a great time visiting our amazing Archives & Research Center in Sharon.  A fascinating trip through Trustees' history....

Generations, Old & New

This week I had the opportunity to stay a bit closer to Boston, touring our properties with long-time Trustees’ staffer, Steve Sloan, our Regional Director for this area. Steve is a fantastic leader, having held a variety of posts during his 15-year tenure with The Trustees. As a child growing up in Ipswich, Steve remembers spending time with his family at our reservations. Almost every member of his family has been involved with The Trustees in some capacity (his father, Norton, is a dedicated and long-time volunteer and the recipient of our Charles Eliot Award for special service) and thus Steve's commitment is both personal and professional. 

More than 100 Youth Conservation Corps members
gathered at Rocky Woods Reservation.

Steve and I had the good fortune of participating in The Trustees’ annual Youth Summit, which was incredibly inspiring. Our Youth Summit is where Youth Conservation Corps crews from around the state gather to share ideas and reflections on belonging to The Trustees as a young staffer. Youth Conservation Corps is a fledgling program for us, now almost 100-teens strong. It's an area I intend to invest in so that we are actively nurturing future conservation leaders. Here’s why: These kids are impressive, dedicated professionals who hail from a variety of locations and backgrounds, and all are interested in advancing the work of conservation and The Trustees. In just a summer, it is clear that we are creating the next generation of Conservation Ambassadors, developing youth who have unique skills and perspective, which will assist and support their career plans.

Teens from different Youth Conservation Corps
had the chance to get to meet and share their work.

Another benefit of this program? Confidence and leadership. These kids learn how to conduct work independently, problem solve, and earn an income. They are doing real work under the supervision of a Youth Conservation Corps Educator, but the majority of their time is spent on entrepreneurial projects like harvesting produce, selling food at farmers markets, removing invasive species, or rebuilding a stone wall. This is serious stewardship work and they are demonstrating to us and to each other that they can be leaders.

Need more reasons why this program is such a good investment? We are finding they become future staffers of The Trustees, a value proposition for any employer. These youth represent our mission and our brand by being such focused, young talent. Our investment in them is not only good for our lands but for our business. 

Finally? They’re great kids. They are funny, smart, and kind. We are fortunate to work with partners like YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs to identify these stars and I am thrilled to be working alongside them.

The Solstice Stones at Ward Reservation.

After our Youth Summit I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Charles W. Ward Reservation in Andover. A stunning place with a great lookout of Boston, terrific hiking trails –including a stop on the Bay Circuit Trail – a beautiful quaking bog (one of the last in this area), and solstice stones, Ward is a neighborhood treasure. I look forward to bringing my kids to this reservation so they can explore the hills and see the bog in the fall when the leaves, I’m sure, are fantastic.

While there, I met John Kimball, whose grandmother, Mrs. Charles Ward, gifted us the reservation in 1940. John represents a different generation than our Youth Conservation Corps members, but he is just as dedicated. John has devoted his life to supporting the needs of this reservation, logging around 500–600 hours annually in its care. He knows this property in all its curious facets and can tell you the entire history of the plants, meadows, and trees. It’s a phenomenal perspective and endearing to meet someone who is so connected to a reservation. John grew up at Ward and the land is in his blood. He appreciates the mountain bikers, families, and hikers who explore this beautiful place and he takes a great responsibility to ensure its care. He’s a great partner to Adam Rollfs, a Trustees’ team member who works at Ward Reservation. The two represent very different generations that are bonded through the same special place.

John Kimball's grandmother donated the
Ward Reservation to The Trustees. Today, he
devotes more than 500 hours a year to its care.

John now worries about the next generation and how we ensure that Ward Reservation will always be cherished and maintained at the same standard that John has encouraged. We are fortunate to have had John’s volunteerism and advice over the past decades and I take very seriously the responsibility to keep John’s vision alive. With programs like Youth Conservation Corps, I hope that we can develop the interest and commitment of all generations to be good stewards of Ward and all our special places.

It was a great week to see the same passion for The Trustees present across so many generations. I know that’s what our founder, Charles Eliot wanted: a mobilization of thousands to connect to and care for our land. Thanks to people like John Kimball and our Youth Conservation Corps crews of 2012, we are achieving that vision.

A Berkshires Sojourn

Naumkeag, a National Historic Landmark with
gardens designed by Fletcher Steele

Last week was a whirlwind and officially marked the end of my first month at The Trustees.

I spent a few days in Stockbridge getting to know the history of Naumkeag, a National Historic Landmark and one of The Trustees' flagship properties. Naumkeag is a beautiful reservation, made possible by the Choate family. Young Mabel Choate lived at Naumkeag with her parents and siblings and then eventually inherited this country estate. She spent the greater part of her life partnering with the now legendary landscape architect, Fletcher Steele, to create a series of garden rooms that are now the hallmark of this property. Visitors hail from all over the world to visit the Blue Steps and Afternoon Garden, early examples of the modern approach to garden design, which bring a sense of whimsy to the estate.

Nearly 100 friends, supporters, and
volunteers joined us to celebrate
Naumkeag and the Berkshires.

I had the great fortune to meet Tootie Alsopp and Celia Kittredge, relatives to Mabel, who toured the property with me and gave some intriguing personal insights. Mabel loved children, as Tootie would say, especially the naughty ones. I am certain this reinforced the fun times Mabel encouraged at Naumkeag. We carried that spirit at an evening reception for close to 100 friends, supporters, and volunteers during my visit. It was so exciting to see the grounds alive with chatter and laughter, as the property welcomed friends, old and new, to discuss the next chapter of The Trustees' work here in the Berkshires and across the state.

It was also rewarding to learn about our dreams for Naumkeag. Under the guidance of Jocelyn Forbush, our Regional Director, and Cindy Brockway, our Cultural Resources Director, we've begun to conceive a restoration of the gardens and think through opportunities to improve the house and property in a sustainable fashion. Efforts like these require a long-term view as full-scale improvements can take three years or more. The team working on this is dedicated and excited, two key ingredients to success.

But it takes a village, and, in addition to our dedicated volunteers, we have incredible staff on the ground, including veteran Jim Prince, who has been working for The Trustees for more than 20 years; historic resource guru Mark Wilson, who has read and analyzed writings of Fletcher Steele's to inform our decisions; and Colleen Henry, who supports the visitor experience. They, together with other colleagues and volunteers, are what make Naumkeag such a special place for the thousands who visit every year.

Field Farm is a modernist gem with a sculpture garden
and walking trails.

Our Berkshire properties are amazing and all thirteen are unique. One can visit many of our reservations over a weekend and stay at Field Farm with our Innkeeper, Ole Retlev, as your host. Spend time exploring the Berkshires and you can appreciate its cultural vibe that blends so well with the landscape, which I'm distinctly proud to have The Trustees be a part of.

Amazing People, Special Places

Summer at The Trustees is a fascinating season. It's the time of year when we have the most staff on the ground and we experience the most engagement with our members and visitors. My visits to meet staff and volunteers and see properties this week were helpful for understanding how we encourage public stewardship. The protection and management of our iconic reservations are critical but we must combine that with strategic opportunities for public enjoyment. The staff and stakeholders are constantly innovating the way we do this as our properties are not static objects. Needs and challenges are ever-changing.

This is true for properties new and old. This week I visited one of our relatively newer reservations, the stunning Ashintully Gardens in Tyringham in the Berkshires. A place with its own footprint in time, it carries a tragic story about a lost era and an unfortunate fire that turned an historic estate into a place of remarkable ruins. The utter feeling of this place goes beyond a historic house museum, because, while the beautiful gardens remain, the house is no longer. Instead, those who visit are left with a feeling of what was – for me, and for so many others, that is the"awe" moment at this reservation. Yet, the ruins and the gardens need to be preserved and it is our journey to share the love for this property, generously gifted by John and Katharine McLennan, with as many people as possible while not treading on the serenity and mysticism that is its hallmark – a challenge indeed.

Another great example of getting the balance right is at one of our more known reservations, Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket, better known as Great Point by Nantucketers. First, let me pause to say that the team working on Nantucket are world class. Steve Nicolle, our operations manager and a Nantucket resident, loves his work and it shows in his approach and that of his team. Assistant Superintendent Chris Bonelli was our bird expert of the day and, under his guidance, I saw my first Piping Plover chick. Spend time looking for nests and you gain a profound appreciation for the expertise required!  

The beloved Great Point lighthouse,
a must see for anyone touring the island.

We acquired this property in 1974 because of the incredible generosity of the Backus family, the original owners of the infamous Wauwinet Inn. Mrs. Backus loved Nantucket and realized that, to share this affection, this property was best conserved. An incredibly smart lady, she worked with The Trustees and our partner, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, to make that a reality. And there it is today combined with gifts from other generous families who joined her charge – now the most spectacular 1,100 acres on Nantucket is protected for all, including the birds who need this habitat. As a wildlife refuge, we must balance the needs of all users of this beautiful place. Again, it's a complex journey to protect the environment for future generations so they too can experience the same Nantucket we all love. We depend on our Nantucket Property Committee, a group of 20 impressive volunteer leaders, to assist us in this strategy. On Thursday night, they gathered at the home of the committee chair, Pete Howell, to officially welcome me to The Trustees. They are a fantastic group of people that I'm thrilled to be working with and humbled by their commitment and advice. 

One thing remains constant for me in this journey: the amazing people together with the special places that make our mission possible.

People and Partners Working Together for Healthy, Active, and GreenCommunities

This week was another fantastic opportunity for learning and exploration. I had the great honor to spend time with Rick Sullivan, Secretary of the Office Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Ed Lambert, Commissioner of Conservation and Recreation, two people whose personal and professional commitment to environmental issues and public engagement in the outdoors is inspiring. The public parks and open spaces available in the state of Massachusetts is really incredible. Yet it takes the work of many partners of The Trustees, both public and private, like the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Appalachian Mountain Club, whom I also met with this week, to make conservation happen.

From left: Jerry Sargent, President, Citizens Bank;
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino; BNAN President
Valerie Burns; and NECN Executive 
Vice President and General Manager Bill Bridgen.

Enjoying the garden with Trustees Board Chair
David Croll, BNAN President Valerie Burns, Mayor Thomas
Menino at Nightingale Community Garden in Dorchester.

Speaking of partners, on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to join The Trustees’ affiliate, Boston Natural Areas Network, for a special event at their Nightingale Community Garden in Dorchester. BNAN is a real trailblazer in urban conservation and I am proud to have them as part of The Trustees’ family. We gathered at the year-old garden to celebrate their receipt of Citizens Bank's Champion in Action Award, which provides them financial support and media coverage from New England Cable News. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, a great advocate for community gardens, was on hand to honor the moment, and Valerie Burns, president of BNAN, did a great job reminding us all of the power of community in open space. The best part for me was meeting the volunteers that make it all happen at Nightingale Community Garden – and what a garden they’ve created!

I toured Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover with staff.

Other beautiful stops this week included the Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover, which provided a great setting for families and artists enjoying the summer day, the Elizabeth Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton, and Rutland Green park in Boston, one of the newest members of our family of properties. Please join me in visiting any of these three or our more than 100 properties across our amazing state.

A View from the Top

This morning I am writing you from Menemsha Hills Reservation on Martha's Vineyard. I started off at 6:30 am first experiencing Prospect Hill, and then onto the Great Sand Bank and then to this amazing site.

It's your commitment everyday that made this memorable experience possible.

Thank you.

Reflections to Staff on My First Week

Greetings to all of you after a whirlwind first week as the new President of The Trustees of Reservations. It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining this fantastic organization and I am thrilled that I've had the opportunity to meet some of you already as I begin my learning journey.

My first day on the job included the Employee Orientation at our Doyle Center in Leominster. It was wonderful to meet new colleagues and participate in a training on diversity and inclusion. I really enjoyed spending the day together and look forward to routinely participating in employee orientations. In addition to Doyle, I spent the week visiting Moose Hill Farm in Sharon, Appleton Farms in Ipswich and Hamilton, and Boston Natural Areas Network's offices, as well as participating in various committee and group meetings and meetings with volunteers throughout the Boston area. These visits will be the first of many stops through my listening tour to learn your insights and ideas for the future of The Trustees.

My first week has really amplified my belief that we are the most exciting conservation organization working in Massachusetts today. We have an amazing group of professionals and a committed audience of partners, donors and volunteers who believe in the important work we do. Our history is sound and our future, inspiring. I am humbled to be a part of The Trustees and even more so to be your colleague. We have significant opportunities ahead of us and I look forward to working alongside all of you to ensure our momentum continues.

I know it can be difficult when we are in the day-to-day activities of our work to truly appreciate the value and impact our contributions achieve. It is the culmination of all of our work combined that creates significant, lasting change. Thus, it's important to appreciate and value the different talents and perspectives of our colleagues that together, create a powerful and influential fabric. Even in challenging times, we've maintained our identity and purpose as a driving force in conservation and preservation and we deserve to be proud of this accomplishment. From the recent closing on our newest reservation, the Governor Ames Estate, or the restoration of the Grand Allée at Castle Hill, these efforts are conservation catalysts, providing permanent benefit to generations ahead.

While we are a conservation organization, we really are an organization all about people. It's even represented in our name. We are a movement of thousands, committed to connecting people to place. The people who work and volunteer here further our mission and I applaud you all for this commitment. I look forward to hearing what makes The Trustees special for you and what your hope is for our future. I am also excited to visit all of our properties and offices to see our work in action. Finally, I look forward to partnering with you to shape a vision and priorities that will drive our impact. This process won't be overnight so I ask for your patience and positivity as we move forward. Feel free to be in touch with me over email with questions and/or ideas, and be sure to follow my first months with The Trustees right here in this blog.
 
Thank you, again, for your work on behalf of The Trustees.

Celebrating Success on the Grand Allee at Castle Hill

The Grand Allée on the Crane Estate

Last week I had my first “formal” Trustees experience, taking part in a celebration at one of our famed properties, Castle Hill at the Crane Estate. More than 200 friends of The Trustees of Reservations came together to recognize the completion of the Grand Allée and Casino, a three-year journey that was demanding and inspiring all at once. Striving to attend to history and yet looking forward can be very challenging. 

Board Chair David Croll, Board Member Nathan Hayward,
Barbara Erickson, & former President Fred Winthrop

Through the dedication of volunteers and staff, especially Cindy Brockway, our Cultural Resources Director, and Bob Murray, The Crane Estate's Superintendent, The Trustees restored this century-old landscape to its original beauty and charm. It took the tireless leadership of Board member Nathan Hayward, Board Chair David Croll, and so many others to see this project through to its wonderful completion. My sincere thanks to all who ensured our success. And, as you can see from these photos, thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, I know we honored their magnificent accomplishment in style.

It was a spectacular evening with amazing weather and great friends. The energy fit the environment and I am sure the Crane family would have been pleased. As I looked down the Grand Allée abuzz with guests towards the ocean in the distance, it reinforced that The Trustees are all about connecting people to place. With our iconic reservations like Castle Hill, we inspire people. This is incredibly special and even more so on a beautiful night to recognize the work of so many. Congrats to Castle Hill and our generous supporters on a fantastic, and important, achievement!

Rick Sullivan, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs addresses attendees.