Welcome, Rebecca!

Wildlands kicked off 2025 with a new addition to our team! Join us in welcoming Rebecca Cushing (she/her), one of two full-time Land Stewards coming aboard this winter. (Stay tuned for the introduction of our second Land Steward, set to start in February!) Get to know Rebecca in the bio below, and be sure to say hello when you see her on the trails!

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What do art education and land stewardship have in common? More than you might think, as evidenced by Rebecca Cushing’s full-circle journey to Wildlands Trust. 

Raised in Plymouth by parents from inner-city Boston, Rebecca grew up with a “casual” love for nature. It was a different passion she pursued in college, studying art, secondary education, and art history at Bridgewater State University. After graduating, Rebecca moved to Georgia, where she taught elementary school art for one-and-a-half years. But the stunning salt marshes and ancient live oaks of the Georgia coast had other plans for Rebecca, capturing her heart and sending her down an exciting (albeit hotter and buggier) new path. Rebecca returned to school, earning a second bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in coastal ecology and minor in environmental science from the College of Coastal Georgia. Equipped with new ecological knowledge and skills, Rebecca joined St. Simons Land Trust in 2022 as a land steward technician. Her background in art and education came into play early and often. 

“As a creative person, you rely on your skills of observation,” Rebecca said. “You have to slow down, pay attention to details, be curious about what’s around you, and share that appreciation with others. It’s the same in conservation, when you’re trying to empower communities to take care of their natural lands.” 

Rebecca joined Wildlands in early 2025 to apply what she has learned to the ecosystems that backdropped her youth. As a Land Steward, she spends most of her time outdoors, monitoring and maintaining Wildlands’ protected areas. Rebecca is excited to serve people as much as nature, promoting public access, volunteerism, and education so future generations can have trails, views, and wildlife to enjoy. She moved back to Plymouth to be close to her family, including her young nieces and nephew. In addition to exploring local preserves with these budding naturalists, Rebecca enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and running. She also continues her artistic practice of block printing and painting, always inspired by the natural world. View her amazing work here. 

Adopt A Preserve: Help Us Help Your Favorite Conservation Lands!

Halfway Pond Conservation Area in Plymouth. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

By Zoë Smiarowski, Stewardship Programs Manager 

Once a hiking trail is established, many may consider the job done. But few realize the consistent care required to keep a preserve beautiful and safe for people and wildlife. The Adopt-a-Preserve (AAP) program is one of the key ways that Wildlands can manage to maintain 14,000 acres of conservation land across the region with a stewardship staff of just three!  

Volunteer trail monitoring through AAP peaked during COVID, as people sought ways to get outside and give back to the community during a time of uncertainty and isolation. Since then, the AAP volunteer base has steadily declined. But the benefits of adopting a preserve—for you and for local conservation lands—have never been greater! 

What is AAP? 

Adopt-a-Preserve is Wildlands’ flagship volunteer program, established to connect outdoor recreationists who may already be out walking our trails with a meaningful way to give back to their favorite (or even a newly discovered) preserve! 

Here’s how it works: 

Interested volunteers pick a preserve typically within a 15-minute drive of their home or work (or anywhere else they spend their time!). A Wildlands staff member or seasoned volunteer will meet you on site to go over the basics of monitoring and discuss a range of ways AAP volunteers can help with passive or active trail maintenance. Then, volunteers commit to sending in at least one report per month detailing what they observed and if they did any work on the trail. Afterwards, Wildlands staff reviews the report, assessing any pictures of downed trees, vandalism, or anything else that may have come up at the visit. The report enters the Wildlands database in the Landscape software to document observations on the property over time. Finally, if there are any issues to follow up on, Wildlands staff will plan a site visit to address them! 

Cortelli II Preserve in Plymouth. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

Do AAP volunteers really make a difference? 

Yes! Our stewardship staff is small, so your monthly visits can go a long way toward ensuring our preserves stay in good shape year-round. Even reports that let us know the preserve is in good shape help provide us with a frame of reference if problems do come up and can also help us prioritize tending to properties that haven’t had eyes on them as recently.  

AAP participation might have declined since COVID, but the program still made a significant impact on our stewardship capacity in 2024: 57 AAP volunteers filed 272 reports, providing coverage for 8,300 acres of conservation land! 

Okay, I’m in! How can I help? 

You can make a difference at any preserve, but the following preserves are in particular need of volunteers’ watchful eyes: 

• Tucker Preserve/Indian Head River Trail (Pembroke) 

• Hoyt-Hall Preserve (Marshfield) 

• Great Neck Conservation Area (Wareham) 

• Willow Brook Farm (Pembroke) 

• The Nook (Kingston) 

• Phillips Farm (Marshfield) 

• North Fork Preserve (Bridgewater) 

• Crystal Spring Preserve (Plainville) 

• South Triangle Conservation Area (Plymouth) 

• Halfway Pond Conservation Area (Plymouth) 

• Emery Preserve (Plymouth) 

Thank you for your consideration! To learn more, visit wildlandstrust.org/volunteer or contact Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski at volunteer@wildlandstrust.org. 

2024 Wildlands Highlights: A Year to Remember

Staff holiday hike at Stewart/Person Preserve in Kingston. From left: Tess Goldmann, Amy Burt, Zoë Smiarowski, Russell Keirstead, and Paul Gallerani.

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

As a small, ambitious organization with a big, never-ending job, we at Wildlands Trust often forget to pause and reflect on our progress and accomplishments. The online support of the Wildlands community offers a welcome reminder of the far-reaching impact of our work. Your engagement with our website and social media accounts proved that 2024 was a year to remember at Wildlands. Read on to revisit the stories that excited, inspired, and informed you this year.

On behalf of all of us at Wildlands, thank you for another great year of protecting, stewarding, and connecting the lands and waters that sustain our local and regional communities. Whether you donated, volunteered, or simply liked and shared our posts, we couldn’t do it without you.

Top news articles of 2024

The following Wildlands news articles received the most views this year. To receive stories like these directly in your inbox, sign up for our monthly E-News here.

1. Partnership Creates Public Preserve in Bridgewater 

Photo by Jerry Monkman.

Read the article here.  

In October, a public ceremony marked the opening of Wyman North Fork Conservation Area in Bridgewater, 96 acres of permanently protected land with over a half-mile of frontage on the Taunton River. The assemblage may be new, but its constituent parts—Wildlands’ North Fork Preserve and the Town of Bridgewater’s Wyman Meadow Conservation Area—have long, intertwining histories. Read more about the creative partnership that made the project possible, 25 years after the land’s protection. 

2. Human History of Wildlands: Shifting Lots Preserve 

Photo courtesy of Roger Janson, via Friends of Ellisville Marsh.

Read the article here. 

In February, Wildlands Key Volunteer Skip Stuck delivered the first entry in an ongoing series called “Human History of Wildlands,” in which we recount the rich and varied cultural pasts of Wildlands’ most cherished preserves. In his fascinating debut article, Skip traces the history of Shifting Lots Preserve in Plymouth, from its Indigenous legacy and agricultural heritage to its modern-day protection and restoration. 

"Human History of Wildlands” has continued with great success, including captivating histories of Great Neck Conservation Area in Wareham; Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke; Stewart/Person Preserve in Kingston; Tucker Preserve and the Indian Head River Trail in Pembroke, Hanson, and Hanover; Crystal Spring Preserve in Plainville; and Halfway Pond Conservation Area in Plymouth. Read them all here. 

3. Wildlands Bids Farewell to Erik Boyer, Max Phelps 

Read the article here. 

As in any ecosystem, change is constant at Wildlands. This summer, two staff departures left big hiking boots to fill in our regional conservation community: Director of Stewardship Erik Boyer and Programming Coordinator Max Phelps. Read more about both of their impactful careers at Wildlands. 

We also welcomed new bright minds and friendly faces to our team. Amy Burt started as our new Programming Coordinator in August. Two Land Stewards are joining us in the new year. Stay tuned! 

4. Remembering Malcolm MacGregor 

Photo by Drew Lederman.

Read the article here. 

Wildlands said goodbye this year to our dear friend and colleague, “Trail Guy” Malcolm MacGregor, who died in May at 81 years old. We are still grieving his loss and fondly remembering his warm presence, impactful work, and legendary hikes. Revisit our tribute to Malcolm in the article above. 

5. Wildlands Raises Over $71,000 for Willow Brook Farm 

Photo by Rob MacDonald.

Read the article here. 

In September, we shared the uplifting news that Wildlands raised nearly $72,000 in public donations to upgrade Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke, far surpassing our campaign goal. Our preserve improvement project, which includes replacing and repairing boardwalks, removing invasive plants, repairing the parking lot, improving trail signage, and building covered picnic tables, is well underway, so stay tuned for updates! Thank you to all who helped make 2024 the year we secured the future of this beloved natural sanctuary. 

6. Hartwell Family Preserve Donated in Pembroke 

Read the article here. 

In 2024, we celebrated the addition of the Hartwell Family Preserve to Wildlands’ ever-growing land portfolio. We extend our deep gratitude to Belle and Michael Barnes, who donated this 7.9-acre Pembroke woodland to Wildlands Trust in honor of Belle’s mother, Thelma Hartwell. Read more about the outsized ecological significance of our new preserve. 

Top social posts of 2024

The Wildlands community showed its support on social media, as well, resulting in nearly 1,000 new followers this year across Facebook and Instagram (@wildlandstrust). The most liked, commented, and shared posts of 2024 reflect the projects and updates that resonated with you this year. Click on the images below to view the full posts.

Rachel Bruce appointed to MLTC board

Willow Brook Farm planter box fundraiser

CZM grant in Plymouth, Duxbury, Kingston Bay

50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People

Willow Brook Farm volunteers

2024 Spring Open House

VolunTuesdays

D.W. Field Park Master Plan completed

Wildlands Maps on Avenza App

Give a Hoot About the Park - D.W. Field Park, Brockton

D.W. Field Park in Brockton Expands by 30 Acres

On to 2025! Thank you for your continued support as we work to protect more of the places you love.

Partnership Creates Public Preserve in Bridgewater

Wyman Meadow Conservation Area (foreground) and North Fork Preserve (background) in Bridgewater. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

Nearly a quarter-century after its acquisition by Wildlands Trust, North Fork Preserve has a trail system for Bridgewater and surrounding community members to enjoy. Its long journey to public access exemplifies the patience and partnerships often required to make nature preserves possible. 

On October 5, about 30 people joined Wildlands Trust and the Town of Bridgewater for an opening ceremony and hike at Wyman North Fork Conservation Area, 96 acres of permanently protected land with over a half-mile of frontage on the Taunton River. The assemblage may be new, but its constituent parts—Wildlands’ North Fork Preserve and the Town’s Wyman Meadow Conservation Area—have long, intertwining histories. 

Located off the southeast end of Plymouth Street, Wyman Meadow Conservation Area features 55 acres of grassland, woodland, and wetland habitat on the bank of the Taunton River, less than two miles downstream from its headwaters. From 1954 to 1987, the parcel was part of the Wyman dairy farm. It was then used for beef cattle and hay until 1999, when the Town of Bridgewater purchased the property with a Massachusetts self-help grant. Thirty-five acres were designated as a “parkland” for outdoor recreation, while the remaining 20 were allocated for water resources protection. 

Above: Opening ceremony and hike at Wyman North Fork Conservation Area on October 5, 2024. Photos by key volunteer Rob MacDonald.

For the next 22 years, inadequate Town staffing and funds impeded the property’s management for public access. As community awareness waned, invasive plants encroached on the meadow unchecked, diminishing its habitat value. In 2017, an evaluation of Bridgewater’s six parklands by a Bridgewater State University graduate student identified Wyman Meadow as the lowest priority for improvement. 

Meanwhile, abutting Wyman Meadow to the east was North Fork Preserve, which Wildlands Trust purchased in 2001 with support from the Sheehan Family Foundation. On the southern edge of the 41-acre woodland, a high bluff provides scenic views up and down the Taunton River corridor. But for the first two decades of North Fork’s existence, few were afforded these views. Wildlands managed the preserve as Forever Wild—that is, without trails—due to limited public access; separating North Fork from Plymouth Street was none other than the long-neglected Wyman Meadow Conservation Area. 

The Taunton River at Wyman North Fork Conservation Area in Bridgewater. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

Where others saw a lost cause in Wyman Meadow, Bridgewater Open Space Committee Chair Eileen Hiney saw a problem to be solved. After reading the 2017 parklands report and discovering the location of North Fork Preserve, Hiney imagined a new way forward. In 2021, after meeting with Wildlands’ Scott MacFaden and Erik Boyer about a separate land protection project in Bridgewater, Hiney invited them to visit Wyman Meadow. There, spreading preserve designs and management plans from the Conway School of Landscape Design across the hood of their car, Hiney said, “Well, geez, here’s this town property that’s not being used at all. We’ve got a road and land that’s accessible. Isn’t there some way we could work together on this to combine the advantages of these two properties?” 

The idea was simple: Wildlands would build and maintain a trail through Wyman Meadow and into North Fork. In return, the Town of Bridgewater would install a trailhead parking lot and continue to maintain the entrance road off Plymouth Street. 

Wildlands staff and volunteers installed bog boards along the new trail at Wyman North Fork Conservation Area. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

“The project was a no-brainer,” Hiney said. “It fulfills a 20-year promise by the Town to manage the land for its true purpose—enjoyment by the townspeople.” 

Stewardship staff and volunteers from Wildlands got right to work, building and blazing a one-mile trail loop that leads visitors to the most rewarding features of both preserves: Wyman Meadow’s ethereal grassland teeming with native plants, birds, and pollinators, and North Fork’s diverse woodlands, trickling streams, and stunning river views.  

“The Bridgewater Open Space Committee couldn’t have accomplished this without Wildlands Trust,” Hiney said. “Town resources are limited, and Wildlands was able to supplement our needs with volunteers, supplies, outreach, and education.” 

Wyman Meadow Conservation Area in Bridgewater. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

Hiney also noted that these creative partnerships, in which nonprofit staff and volunteers maintain municipal conservation areas, help Bridgewater and other towns save their limited funds to acquire new lands when opportunities arise. 

Improvements continue at Wyman North Fork Conservation Area, including discussions between the Town of Bridgewater and Wildlands Trust about new signage and expanded trails. But for now, the revival and reimagining of this ecological haven—25 years in the making—is reason enough to celebrate. After all, these projects don’t happen every day. 

Wildlands' Brockton Work in the News

Brockton Green Team helped build an outdoor classroom at the George School in 2023.

In the past month, two high-profile publications have cast a spotlight on Wildlands Trust’s longstanding, ongoing work in Brockton. In a local and national news cycle laden with despair, these stories offer reason for hope. We are grateful for our members, donors, volunteers, and partners, who make all of our work possible.

From the Ground Up: “Conservation For All”

Published earlier this month, Issue 5 of From the Ground Up features an interview with Wildlands President Karen Grey by Marissa Latshaw. In the piece, Grey recounts the history of Wildlands’ involvement in Brockton, from a tattered manila folder labeled “Brockton Audubon” in 2006 to our extensive work in 2024 and beyond to engage, educate, and empower Brockton youth.

“The time has come for land trusts to be more creative and thoughtful about how we serve and whom we serve,” Grey said.

> Read the interview here.

From the Ground Up is a free quarterly magazine that encourages conversations about conservation, climate, and communities in New England. Published by our friends at Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands & Communities, From the Ground Up shares stories and ideas that can lead to transformative, healing actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, preserve and restore habitat essential to the survival of wild, native species, and bring about environmental justice and well-being for all.

The Enterprise: “$30M makeover pitched for D.W. Field Park”

D.W. Field Park. Mark Jarret Chavous/The Enterprise.

In an article published on November 29, reporter Chris Helms of The Brockton Enterprise covered the release of the D.W. Field Park master plan, spearheaded by Wildlands Trust and the D.W. Field Park Initiative.

"Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan said he's all in on the plan," Helms wrote. "'This project prioritizes environmentally friendly, community-focused, resilient solutions to issues within the park that have been caused by decades of high-traffic utilization,' Sullivan wrote in a letter of support."

> Read the article here.

Helms also details plans by the D.W. Field Park Association and Brockton Parks Department to build a small welcome center at the Oak Street entrance to the park.

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Thank you to our press partners for spreading the word about our unassuming yet vital work! For media inquiries, please contact Communications Coordinator Thomas Patti at (774) 343-5121 ext. 108 or tpatti@wildlandstrust.org.