By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator
As in any ecosystem, change is constant at Wildlands. But this summer, two staff departures will leave big hiking boots to fill in our regional conservation community.
Erik Boyer departs Wildlands this week after nearly 10 years spearheading our stewardship operations. As Director of Stewardship, Erik has worked to advance the biological health of our conservation lands, building relationships with countless partners and volunteers along the way. Erik will now return to the Town of Dennis, where he worked as a conservation intern and natural resource officer before joining Wildlands. This time, he will add the title of Conservation Agent.
“Erik Boyer has meant a lot to Wildlands Trust over the past decade, so it is not a small thing that he has decided to take a new position with the Town of Dennis,” said Wildlands President Karen Grey. “Erik built the stewardship program. He became the first full-time, year-round stewardship employee in 2015. Over the years, he led the upgrade of our fee properties, a system for ensuring monitoring and enforcement on our Conservation Restriction lands, and the upstart of the Community Stewardship Program and the Adopt-A-Preserve program. He accomplished a tremendous amount of work for us, and we are forever grateful. In addition to being a great employee, Erik is a wonderful colleague, always leading with kindness and a willingness to help. He is respected by our partners and volunteers his time to help our field, serving on the Plymouth Trails Committee, Historic O’Neil Farm Board of Directors, and the Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board.”
Photo gallery: earlier this month, Wildlands staff, partners, and volunteers celebrated Erik’s decade of service over pizza and drinks at IndieFerm Brewing in Plymouth.
The universal respect Erik has earned throughout the regional conservation community was on full display earlier this month, when Wildlands staff, partners, and volunteers celebrated Erik over pizza and drinks at IndieFerm Brewing in Plymouth. On behalf of Wildlands, President Karen Grey gifted Erik an Osprey carry-on pack. Erik also received a photo of Tucker Preserve, framed and signed by Wildlands staff and friends, and a signed photo of our three Key Volunteers, Marilynn Atterbury, Skip Stuck, and Rob MacDonald.
“I’ve deeply valued serving Southeastern Massachusetts over the last decade,” Erik said. “The most meaningful aspect of my work has been fostering relationships with volunteers, municipalities, and other partners who share the mission of protecting our natural resources and building community around them. I’d like to thank the greater Wildlands community for their generous collaboration on this important work.”
Max Phelps demonstrates D.W. Field Park waste pick-up data entry to Green Team in summer 2023.
Wildlands is also bidding farewell to Max Phelps, who is moving to Philadelphia in September after serving as our Programming Coordinator since June 2023. In their time with Wildlands, Max coordinated Wildlands staff and volunteers to spread awareness and appreciation of conservation lands across Southeastern Massachusetts through guided hikes, meditations, lectures, and more. They also orchestrated our 50th Anniversary Celebration and Spring Open House, two major events with many moving parts. Finally, they served as the face of Wildlands’ youth programming in Brockton, leading the Brockton High School Envirothon team during the school year and Green Team and Climate Crew over the summers.
“Max jumped into a busy 50th anniversary year when they started at Wildlands,” said Wildlands Chief of Staff Rachel Bruce. “Their positive attitude and friendly demeanor helped them tackle big projects and build our adult and youth programming community over the past year. They’ve done a fantastic job, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!”
Max leads a group of Brockton youth on a hike at Halfway Pond Conservation Area in Plymouth.
“I am so thankful for my time at Wildlands, where I’ve been able to grow and learn so much thanks to my amazing coworkers and our wonderful volunteers,” Max said. “I’m most proud of my work with youth in Brockton, coaching the Envirothon team at Brockton High School and leading our summer service-learning programs, Green Team and Climate Crew. I’m excited to keep tabs on all the great work Wildlands will continue to do in Brockton and across Southeastern Massachusetts.”
Wildlands thanks Erik and Max for their dedication and enthusiasm for our work. Please be sure to say thank you and farewell when you see them on the trails and in the community!