Scott MacFaden could be described as a walking encyclopedia. His brain holds facts and figures, quotes, and song lyrics like a computer database -- packed with information, yet somehow all retrievable on call! And, while this skill set could have been compatible with the “suit and tie jobs” in which he landed in his early twenties, Scott quickly realized that neither the mortgage banking nor tax worlds fulfilled his professional aspirations. Inspired by the works of British author Robert MacFarlane--who is equal parts adventurer, naturalist, historian, and poet--Scott is a crafter of words, with an interest in the relationships between people and the land on which they live. When he returned to the classroom to chart a new occupational course for himself, he opted for a New Hampshire education with a cherished mountain backdrop and discovered his passion for land trust work while volunteering in the field. Master's degree in hand, Scott later left New Hampshire with a viable alternative to his vision of making a career out of hiking the Appalachian Trail. An opportunity at Wildlands Trust brought the South Shore native back to Southeastern Massachusetts, where proximity to his favorite place, Wompatuck State Park, offers him easy access to the hiking, biking, roller-blading, and camping that he’s enjoyed there since he was 14 years old. In his current role as Director of Land Protection, Scott enjoys spending time out in the field, experiencing landscapes that he would not otherwise get to see, and facilitating beneficial outcomes in conservation. He strongly believes in the core mission of the land trust movement, and that organizations working at the local and regional level can make a substantial difference in the communities they serve.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UMass Boston, and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Antioch University New England. He serves as both a board member and volunteer trail crew member for the Cardigan Highlanders, a New Hampshire-based non-profit organization, and he’s a trail adopter in White Mountain National Forest. In addition, Scott has served for twelve years on the Town of Rockland Open Space Committee.
