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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Hunting and fishing have long been the driving force behind many of our country’s efforts to protect land, water, and wildlife. Land trusts, however, have been slow to embrace these activities. Hunting, in particular, is commonly prohibited on conservation land in the eastern United States.

In 2008, Wildlands Trust was compelled to rethink its “no hunting” policy when the opportunity arose to protect the 250-acre Great River Preserve in Bridgewater. “The project was contingent upon Wildlands’ willingness to permit hunting,” said Joan Pierce, land acquisition agent for the Southeast District of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.

With her remarkable knowledge of the region’s open lands, Joan understood the importance of protecting this long-coveted property with 1.5 miles of frontage on the federally designated Wild & Scenic Taunton River. She also understood that her agency could only bring forward much-needed funding if Wildlands agreed to allow hunting. With Joan’s support, Wildlands board and staff navigated this tricky issue, ultimately developing a new policy to permit hunting on certain future acquisitions.

Joan’s dogged approach and strong relationships with landowners have made her a formidable community partner over the decades. Among the many intricate and moving parts of land preservation, none is more consistent or integral to Wildlands’ process than sitting around a table with Joan, discussing potential projects while she points out the fun and humor of it all.

Today, the Great River Preserve is the anchor property in a 700-acre Wildlife Management Area, the biggest reserve on the Taunton River.

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