Hamilton Wenham Open Land Trust Selects Greenbelt to Carry Forward Land Protection and Stewardship

Recently, the leadership of Hamilton Wenham Open Land Trust (HWOLT) determined that they were no longer in a position to continue their operations, and chose to transfer their properties and remaining assets to Greenbelt to ensure the permanent protection and stewardship of the land entrusted to them. HWOLT was founded in 1985 by the late Dana Hansen, Peter Clark, Susanna Colloredo-Mansfeld and other conservation-minded Hamilton and Wenham residents.

Ken Whittaker, current President of HWOLT, comments, "Our team greatly admires Greenbelt for the excellent land stewardship work they do, and appreciates their support and cooperation in securing these important properties and conservation restrictions. It has been a great pleasure working with them, both in this matter and others in the past."

Greenbelt is honored to be the new owners and stewards of these important land parcels, including the 2.5-acre Dodge Farm that is the site of a thriving 50-plot community garden.

(Photo: Margie Whittaker. L to R: David Smith, Chris Davis, Ken Whittaker of HWOLT; and Chris LaPointe, Alison Falk of Greenbelt. Unavailable: Keith Glidden, HWOLT Treasurer)

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News and Happenings

Important Progress in 2022 Supports Conservation

Significant progress was made at the local, state and federal levels this year that helped advance land conservation and water protection in our region.
Massachusetts' Public Lands Preservation Act
Federal Inflation Reduction Act

North Shore Water Resilience Task Force Charter

Pups Take it to the Top at Tompson Street Reservation

On a brisk early December afternoon, Greenbelt friends on two-legs and four set out on a rambunctious "mutt-strut" through the magnificant Tompson Street Reservation in Gloucester. With the pups leading the way up and over this property's well-loved rocky summits, a good time and great views were enjoyed by all. 

Whether you'd like to connect with Greenbelt outside or indoors this winter, we have a wonderful line-up of events for you! All are FREE, but registration is required.

 Sign up for Greenbelt's events→

Greenbelt Ensures Permanent Land Protection, Monitoring more than 128 CRs in 2022

Greenbelt's Stewardship staff is well known for taking exceptional care of our properties and maintaining hundreds of miles of trails. Less known is the role they play in monitoring the Conservation Restrictions (CRs) Greenbelt holds on land across Essex County. In 2022, Dave Rimmer, Mike Carbone and Dave McKinnon were responsible for monitoring 128 CRs over more than 5,000 acres, some on land that is open to the public and some that is private. In 2023, the Stewardship team is scheduled to visit another 133 CRs on an additional 4,085 acres. 

Learn more about Greenbelt's CR monitoring program →

We're Hiring! Join the Greenbelt Team

Greenbelt is seeking a full-time GIS Specialist to join the Conservation Technology and Planning Division. Reporting to the Division Director and supporting all of Greenbelt's departments and core mission, interested candidates should have strong geographic, analytical and technical computer skills and a passion for developing creative solutions to complex technical challenges.

GIS Specialist job posting→

Double the Impact of your Annual Fund Gift (and yes, there's still time to give!)

Did you know that many businesses will match their employees' charitable donations, doubling or even tripling their impact?  It's true! When you give to Greenbelt's Annual Fund, it only takes a minute to see if your gift is eligible to be matched.

Please GIVE to the Annual Fund before year-end to support local land conservation.

And CHECK HERE to see if your employer will match your gift today!
Thank you.

Help conserve West Gloucester's beautiful landscapes

Greenbelt is working to protect 17+ acres in West Gloucester, including 11.5 acres adjacent to Greenbelt's Great Ledge property and 6.1 acres on Bray Street near Tompson Street Reservation. Conserving this land will protect important natural resources such as beaver ponds, mixed pitch pine and scrub oak forest and well-worn trails. Please help us conserve this land with your tax-deductible contribution by January 13, 2023. Thank you for your support!

Donate to the Great Ledge & Bray Street Conservation Project→