Passing the Torch

Alison Falk finished her three-year tenure as Chair of Greenbelt’s Board of Directors this spring. Working through some of the most tumultuous years in recent decades, Alison helped keep Greenbelt moving forward through it all. During her tenure, Greenbelt thrived, completing 70 conservation projects, expanding our stewardship work, bringing in more volunteers, and expanding our impact across the county. In May, Greenbelt’s membership elected Betsy Shields as our new Board Chair. Betsy takes over as Chair during an exciting period of growth, as Greenbelt works to increase our pace of land conservation and to serve the needs of more people all across Essex County. Huge thanks to Alison, and a warm welcome to Betsy – we are so lucky to have such strong, dedicated leaders on our Board! 

- Kate Bowditch, President

News and Happenings

Get Ready for the GreenbeltGo-Getter Challenge!

Hike, bike, walk, run, stroll or meander the trails - be a GreenbeltGo-Getter! The NEW GreenbeltGo-Getter Trails Challenge kicks-off on June 3, National Trails Day. The challenge is to visit as many Greenbelt properties as you can between now and May 1, 2024. Greenbelt trails are for everyone, and the GreenbeltGo-Getter Challenge is free and open to all ages and abilities. You’re a GreenbeltGo-Getter whether you visit 10, 25 or all 50 listed properties, so join the challenge and Get Outside with Greenbelt! For more information and to register, click below. We look forward to seeing you on the trails!

We Need Your Help to Protect Sawmill Brook

Working in partnership with Greenbelt, the Town of West Newbury has the opportunity to acquire 32 acres abutting the Pipestave Hill/Mill Pond Recreation Areas for $705,000. Conserving this land will expand trails, protect important habitat and water supplies, and increase the town’s resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change. At Town Meeting in April, West Newbury residents voted overwhelmingly to allocate up to $350,000 in CPA funds to purchase the land. Thank you! Depending on the amount of state funding the project will receive, the Town's contribution of CPA funds may be reduced, and Greenbelt will fundraise $100,000 to $180,000 to close the gap and permanently protect this land. 

Please consider supporting this project with a generous donation today!

New Parking at Alt Reservation

Greenbelt’s Stewardship team recently created a four-vehicle parking area at Alt Reservation in Beverly, providing safe off-street access for visitors. If you haven't had a chance to visit Alt, check out its old stone walls, and enjoy a peaceful walk to the relic white cedar swamp, Beaver Pond, at the southern edge of the woodland. It's a beautiful time to get outside and explore!

Birds, Bees and Butterflies!

As part of Greenbelt's Family Nature Series, people of all ages came to Cox Reservation on May 21 to learn all about pollinators! The day was filled with hands-on activities and presentations by local beekeepers, native plant gardeners and environmental educators. With over 100 visitors, it was a buzzin' good time! Participants watched hive openings from the safety of a screened tent, made beeswax candles, formed their own native seed balls, tasted local honey, learned about bats, and more. Thank you to our many volunteers who made the day such a fun success!

Welcome, Nick Merlene

The Stewardship Department recently welcomed Nick Merlene into Greenbelt’s new Land Steward role. After graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Conservation & Ecology, Nick began his journey in land management and sustainable natural resource use. Prior to Greenbelt, Nick worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the western part of the United States as a wildland firefighter where he was one of 20 on a specialized wildland fire suppression and mitigation module, known as a “Hotshot Crew”. Nick has an affinity for the outdoors and an insatiable desire to protect it. Please join us in welcoming him to Greenbelt.

Remembering Alicia Moore

Greenbelt is saddened by the passing of Alicia Moore, 92, of Ipswich earlier this month. She truly loved the outdoors, and along with her husband Peter, Alicia was a loyal member of the Greenbelt community for more than 25 years. She will be missed.

There's always a lot going on at Greenbelt! If you're interested in learning about volunteer opportunities, join our monthly Volunteer E-Newsletter list.