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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Massachusetts is the 8th most heavily forested state in the country, with over 62% of land under forest cover. The public benefits provided by these forests are significant and include clean air, clean water, scenic values, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and reducing the impact of climate change.

Phil Benjamin sees the forests for the trees, and Southeastern Massachusetts for the forests. The preeminent forester has devoted his career to working with landowners to advance the health of our region’s woodlands. His dedication, knowledge, and good humor have endeared Phil to his vast base of private, commercial, and municipal clients. Never shy about his passion for our work, he has introduced many landowners to Wildlands Trust, resulting in exciting opportunities for us to permanently protect important forests.

Phil is also a highly regarded member of the Wildlands Trust Lands Committee, which puts “boots on the ground” to assess the conservation value of each parcel we consider for protection. His expertise in reading landscapes and understanding forest ecology has been integral to our land protection work for the past three decades.

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