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.