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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For almost thirty years, Wildlands has afforded high priority to land protection in the Taunton River watershed, and particularly in communities along the river’s mainstem. Two of our valued partners in this work are Bill Napolitano and Tricia Cassady.

Recently retired from a stellar 35-year career as the Senior Environmental Planner for the regional planning agency SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District), Bill has long been our first-call contact for all topics pertaining to the Taunton watershed. Always willing to share his wisdom, Bill’s vast knowledge of the region’s ecology, natural and human history, and political landscape has helped inform our work, and will continue to do so for some time to come.

Tricia Cassady serves with distinction as the Town of Middleborough’s Conservation Agent. In addition to including many miles of the Taunton River and the entirety of the 11.2-mile Nemasket River, the Town of Middleborough is the second-largest community in the state by total land area. Within that expansive geography are abundant opportunities to protect some of the region’s most ecologically significant properties and habitats. Tricia has been a catalyst for numerous successful projects in partnership with Wildlands. We rely on Tricia’s consensus-building skills, strategic acumen, and ability to see a project through to completion, as well as her steadfast professionalism and good humor.

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