Leadership Council Fall Supper: Chowder, Oysters, and Gratitude

Wildlands President Karen Grey addresses the Leadership Council at this year’s fall supper.

On October 26, members of Wildlands Trust’s Leadership Council gathered at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth for our annual fall supper, where we thank those who provide higher-level donor support for our mission of regional land conservation. 

On the gorgeous fall evening, about 80 generous individuals were treated to clam chowder, fresh oysters, wine, assorted desserts, and, most importantly, the camaraderie and good cheer of Southeastern Massachusetts’ most ardent conservation supporters. Wildlands board member and key volunteer Marilynn Atterbury crafted flower arrangements and other stunning decorations for the event, turning the Community Conservation Barn into a cozy yet elegant autumnal venue. 

Wildlands key volunteer Marilynn Atterbury crafted flowers and other decorations for the event.

Before dinner, Wildlands Trust board chair Sam Chapin addressed the Leadership Council, expressing deep gratitude for their generosity while looking ahead to a promising future made possible by their support. 

“The annual Leadership Council dinner is a wonderful opportunity to thank our donors for their support,” Chapin said. “The oysters, chowder, and company were all great!  I was particularly pleased to speak with a number of new people at this year's event.” 

Wildlands board chair Sam Chapin delivers remarks to the Leadership Council.

Later in the evening, Wildlands President Karen Grey recognized members of the Leadership Council who made remarkable contributions to our mission this year. In true Wildlands fashion, she gifted these high-impact individuals with hammers, so they can carry on their hard work. 

The fall supper is one of two annual events that Wildlands Trust holds to honor the Leadership Council, the other being a preserve tour each spring. 

Karen Grey awards an honorary hammer at the Leadership Council fall supper.

We hope you will join this special community! To learn more, visit wildlandstrust.org/leadership-council or contact Donor Relations Manager Sue Chamberlain at schamberlain@wildlandstrust.com or 774-343-5121 x114. 

Hunting Season Safety

Updated: October 2024

Hunting season is back upon us this fall in Massachusetts! Wildlands Trust has four properties that permit hunting during this time:

• Great River Preserve, Bridgewater

• South Triangle Pond Conservation Area, Plymouth

• Striar Conservancy, Halifax

• Barnes Rymut Preserve, Halifax

Hunting is prohibited on all other Wildlands Trust properties.

Still, boundaries can be confusing and hunters sometimes cross into prohibited areas unknowingly. Please be mindful when you are out in the woods this year, wherever it is that you like to hike, run, or ride. The best way to protect yourself is to wear blaze orange like our staff does!

While hunters are required to wear blaze orange during certain seasons, Mass Wildlife recommends that all outdoor users who are in the woods during hunting season wear blaze orange clothing as a precaution, and that pets wear an orange vest or bandana for visibility.

You can learn more at mass.gov/topics/hunting.

Have a great fall, and stay safe!

Meet Wildlands' Volunteer Hike Leaders

If you’ve ever joined Wildlands for a guided hike, chances are you were met with the smiling face of a volunteer. Wildlands relies on friendly, knowledgeable, and trained volunteers in the communities we serve to connect new audiences with the lands we protect.

After a successful volunteer hike leader training series last winter, there are several new guides you might encounter on your next Wildlands hike. Read on to get to know all of our volunteer hike leaders. Thank you, volunteers, for the time and passion you lend to our mission!

If you would like to support Wildlands programming, please email events@wildlandstrust.org.

Janine Anderson

(She/her)

Home: Pembroke 
Programs I lead: Guided hikes (mostly sweeping), Adopt-a-Preserve (Willow Brook Farm; Pudding Hill Reservation; Tucker Preserve, including Rocky Run, Ludden’s, etc.), anything involving trail building/maintaining.
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Trail building (have worked on/maintained Cross Vermont Trail for past 6 years on vacations), camping, getting young people outdoors via Girl Scouts, certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor guide and ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, certified to use a chainsaw (it's a thing!), and Pembroke Farmers Market. I love being outdoors. I also have a full-time job in the financial services world. 
Why Wildlands? When going through my divorce, I joined several Wildlands hikes, especially the "Hike & Hops."  I mentioned that Tucker didn't feel safe as a single woman walking alone (it wasn't marked well at the time) and was told that I could volunteer to help "blaze" it for better navigation. I became a member, attended volunteer trail work parties (love!), and got hooked. That property is now on my regular rotation, so it is a safe place for others. My next goal is to lead more hikes for young people and families so we can all get back to nature and slow down a little—at least briefly. Wildlands is an amazing, inclusive, supportive organization that truly cares for outdoor spaces. 

Mike Arsenault (he/him) 

Home: Marshfield 
Programs I lead: Over the years I have led/swept many hikes at Hoyt-Hall Preserve and the other Marshfield properties. I also volunteer for the Marshfield Recreational Trail Committee. 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Being outdoors is what I enjoy: hiking, fishing, photography, sports, and just plain sitting.  
Why Wildlands? Hoyt-Hall Preserve is my base; this is where my involvement with Wildlands began, helping to create and maintain it. 

Ann Chadwick-Dias (she/her) 

Home: Originally from West Bridgewater but have lived in Carver for over 34 years 
Programs I lead: Guided hikes (mostly sweeping), Adopt-a-Preserve (Halfway Pond Conservation Area), anything Wildlands asks me to do! 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Hiking, biking, paddling, birds, and overall conversation and protection of wetlands. I sit on the Carver Conservation Commission. 
Why Wildlands? Steve and I used to hike at Halfway Pond and noticed the Wildlands Trust signs. We were first met by Wildlands team members Erik and Marilynn to "Adopt a Preserve." We became members, and then we started doing hikes with Malcolm MacGregor, who we miss and remember every time we step onto any trail in Plymouth. Then, we just started doing volunteer work events and other engaging programs at Wildlands Trust. We've been volunteering for 3-4+ years now and we love everything Wildlands does. It's an awesome way to contribute to the community and volunteer for an organization that is growing rapidly, overseeing conservation properties in 57 (and counting) South Shore communities. 

Justin Cifello

(He/him)

Home: Grew up in Middleborough and Wareham, and now live in Bourne.

Programs I lead: Walks about plants and natural history, as well as invasive species removal and trail-building projects.

Outdoor interests & hobbies: I'm interested in all things nature, especially native plants, insects, and their intersection with human history and culture. I'm also an organic farmer.

Why Wildlands? I was first introduced to Wildlands through my workplace at Bay End Farm, which has land in conservation through the Trust. Wildlands is appealing to me because they serve the whole of Southeastern Massachusetts and have a diverse array of properties, programs, and personnel. As an avid hiker always on the hunt for a new place, Wildlands is a great local resource.

Stephen Dias

(He/him)

Home: Originally from West Bridgewater. Live in East Bridgewater. But, I love hiking and the history in Plymouth.  
Programs I lead: Guided hikes (Halfway Pond Conservation Area, Indian Head River Trail, Tucker Preserve, and others), Adopt-a-Preserve (Great River Preserve and Striar Conservancy), and will be adding more this year.  
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Hiking, running, biking, birds, and conservation. History of all things, particularly military and geopolitical History. I pick up trash twice a week along a very busy road. Overall interested in environmental protection. 
Why Wildlands? When I stopped working full-time as a UPS driver, I really wanted to stay active and physically fit. I started hiking Wildlands properties, “adopted” a few preserves, and then started doing work projects. Volunteering with Wildlands Trust is just a win/win: being outside in nature, contributing to my community, and working with an awesome team of people. 

Betsy Hall

(Any and all pronouns)

Home: Plymouth 
Programs I lead: Mindful Meditation, Full Moon Hikes, trail hikes. I am also an Adopt-a-Preserve monitor for Halfway Pond Conservation Area.
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Wildlife, plants, people 
Why volunteer? Because I enjoy hiking with others, introducing people to meditation nature hiking, and encouraging people to support Wildlands Trust. 

Jessamyn Kennedy

(She/her)

Home: I live in Onset, MA; originally from Hudson, MA.
Programs I lead: I lead hikes with Wildlands such as the Lady Slipper Stroll, some Hike & Hops, and other general hikes.  
Outdoor interests & hobbies: I enjoy studying edible plants and native flora and fauna, plus how ecosystems function and how they all relate.  
Why Wildlands? I volunteer with Wildlands because I love the properties. I got involved because I used to run at Great Neck Preserve three times per week and would report trail issues through Instagram before I realized I could volunteer. I love what Wildlands does and believe strongly in the importance of conservation and wild spaces. 

Debbie Leavitt

(She/her)

Home: Plymouth; I grew up in Avon. 
Programs I lead: Leading and sweeping guided hikes. I also monitor South Triangle Pond Conservation Area as my “adopted” preserve.  I am also interested in other volunteer opportunities with the Trust. 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Hiking, biking, kayaking, camping (backwoods and campsites), skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowshoeing, winter hiking, yoga, meditation, and reading. 
Why Wildlands? I was nicknamed "the outdoor kid" by my mom growing up.  At my job, I was nicknamed "nature girl" because I would go outside in any weather. I have always found such happiness and peace outdoors. When I heard about Wildlands Trust from a friend and looked into all that Wildlands does, I knew that I wanted to get involved. I love all the other programs that Wildlands Trust offers: the lecture about bats, the stargazing during the winter... So many wonderful opportunities to learn. Wildlands Trust is an ever-growing and amazing organization.   

Rob MacDonald

(He/him)

Home: Hanson; originally from Randolph 
Programs I lead: Guided hikes 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Wildlife, plants, natural history, cultural history, photography 
Why Wildlands? I began volunteering with Wildlands Trust around 1999 and saw it as a means of contributing to the protection and care of our local wild spaces. 

Dan Murphy

(He/him)

Home: Brockton 
Programs I look forward to leading: Night hikes, leaf peeping, family events 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Backyard birds, walks in the woods, geocaching 
Why Wildlands? I love being outdoors, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Wildlands Trust manages Brockton's Stone Farm Conservation Area adjacent to my home, and I got involved first in the Adopt-a-Preserve program to help out there, and recently jumped into the hike leader program.  

Skip Stuck

(He/him)

Home: Sagamore Beach 
Programs I lead: Full Moon Hikes, Hike & Hops, kids’ hikes, nature hikes 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Local history 
Why Wildlands? I've been volunteering since I retired 9 years ago. I love virtually everything the Trust does, and they encourage me to do virtually everything I want to do. 

Paul Vicino (he/him)

Home:  Born and raised in Wareham, but I have called Halifax my home since 2018.
Programs I lead: I enjoy talking about the history of places I hike if known, night/full moon hikes, big gathering hikes, and themed hikes, like a Halloween hike—this is my third year leading one at Striar Conservancy. I am also an Adopt-a-Preserve volunteer at several properties and often visit properties where I am not an active steward and do work there. I also help out whenever asked if I am available.
Outdoor interests & hobbies: I enjoy playing outside and do all my cardio outdoors—hiking/walking, backpacking/camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and kayaking. I go to the gym and enjoy reading and watching movies.
Why Wildlands? I became a volunteer about 4.5 years ago because I was already hiking Wildlands’ properties and I wanted to give back. Now hiking and trail work have become my jam. I do trail work as I hike. I arrange trail days with Wildlands and other organizations for my co-workers. My daughters do their community service hours that are required for high school graduation by joining me on my trail work days. I enjoy sharing the trails I love by leading and sweeping on Wildlands hikes. Open space is important for a healthy community, and helping to maintain and expand it is my way of giving back. We are lucky to live in a place with so many great places to hike and explore, and I love to explore.

Brian Vigorito (he/him) 

Home: Pembroke 
Programs I lead: Mostly birding and naturalist walks. I am also the president of the South Shore Bird Club. 
Outdoor interests & hobbies: Birds, mammals, nature photography 
Why Wildlands? The Wildlands properties near my home helped spark my interest in nature, and I believe strongly in the importance of conserving land locally. 

Welcome, Amy!

Amy Burt (she/her) joined the Wildlands staff late last month. Read on to get to know our new Programming Coordinator! And be sure to say hello when you see Amy on the trails this fall.

Amy studied adventure therapy in college, a testament to her belief in nature's power to heal, restore, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds. As Wildlands Trust’s Programming Coordinator, she is excited to find creative ways to engage new audiences in outdoor learning, recreation, and conservation. 

Amy spent her childhood haying fields and enjoying the cows on her family’s land and exploring local wildlands with her mom, a volunteer hike leader at the Blue Hills Reservation. Through these experiences and a brief 4-H season earning blue ribbons with her show cow Nancy, she learned to appreciate the diverse benefits of local open space. 

Despite growing up "painfully introverted,” Amy knew early on that she wanted to help people, especially kids. By fourth grade, she was already a classroom helper for her first-grade teacher. At Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, volunteer work and dental assistant training bolstered her vision for a career of service to others.  

Amy set her sights on social work, but a presentation from Unity College (now Unity Environmental University) in New Gloucester, Maine, opened her eyes to an alternative path that melded her passions for people and nature. She earned her Bachelor of Science in adventure therapy and adventure-based environmental education, with a minor in environmental interpretation and education. After graduation, Amy joined the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England as the Program Manager of Outdoor Experience and STEM, leading youth programming with local and regional partners.  

At Wildlands, Amy is excited to reconnect with her undergraduate field of study through hands-on environmental programming for learners of all ages. She is eager to serve her home state, expanding Wildlands’ educational reach across Southeastern Massachusetts. “If people leave our programs feeling more comfortable to explore nature on their own, or inspired to bring a friend next time, I'll have done my job,” Amy reflected. 

In her free time, Amy enjoys playing the acoustic guitar, singing karaoke (go-to song: “Love Shack” by the B-52's), and playing with her pet guinea pig, Caterpillar (Catter for short). During college, Amy held several roles in youth education, including at Wind-in-the-Pines Girl Scout camp in Plymouth, elementary schools in Maine and Somerset, MA, and 4-H camps with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension—where, after a last-minute staffing change, she helped guide two campers up Mount Katahdin! 

Wildlands Bids Farewell to Erik Boyer, Max Phelps

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!