Read below for an essay excerpted from 50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People, Wildlands’ 50th anniversary book honoring the partners and volunteers who have made remarkable contributions to land conservation in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Read “The Next Remarkable Chapter,” our series introduction by President Karen Grey.

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Hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in the U.S. today, with nearly 60 million Americans identifying as trail users. The human health benefits of nature are significant, and creating access for all people to enjoy conservation land is a priority for Wildlands Trust.  

In 2013, Malcolm MacGregor, a long-time resident of Plymouth, was exploring options for how to spend his time during an impending one-year sabbatical from his job as a GIS professor. An avid hiker and expert mapmaker, Malcolm reached out to Wildlands and offered his services as a volunteer. Without a moment of hesitation, we accepted his proposal and quickly put Malcolm to work, side-by side with our staff, in an office he would occupy for the next ten years.  

Hundreds of miles of hiking trails weave through Plymouth, and Malcolm knows every inch of them. From Myles Standish State Forest to Wildlands Trust preserves to town conservation lands, Malcolm has explored them all, and has spent the last decade introducing these trails to the public. Working with Wildlands programming staff, Malcolm leads monthly guided hikes to help people of all backgrounds enjoy our protected lands. He has both developed nascent hikers and encouraged seasoned trail veterans to go farther, earning him the moniker “Trail Guy.” 

Purchase 50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People today: wildlandstrust.org/shop50