Gary Langenbach remembered

It is with heavy hearts that Wildlands Trust shares the passing of Gary Langenbach, who died in August after serving with distinction on our Board of Directors for over two decades.  

“For many years I was privileged to collaborate closely with Gary through his longtime chairmanship of our Lands Committee, which works with land acquisition staff to review all potential land protection projects,” said Wildlands Director of Land Protection Scott MacFaden. “Gary possessed a deep knowledge of our region’s landscapes and habitats, had an uncanny ability to connect with the landowners we work with and understand their aspirations and concerns, and always demonstrated a fervent commitment to Wildlands’ core mission of land protection. He left an indelible imprint on our organization and will be missed!” 

Gary was honored in Wildlands’ 50th anniversary book, 50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People, which celebrated 50 key partners and volunteers who have made remarkable contributions to land conservation in Southeastern Massachusetts. Read Gary’s entry below: 

Wildlands Trust serves 55 towns in a vast 1,700-square-mile area of Southeastern Massachusetts that nearly one-third of the state’s residents call home. We advance our mission by working hand-in-glove with local conservation leaders who understand the open space objectives of their towns, grasp the political landscape, and are familiar with important landowners, who are often their friends and neighbors. Gary Langenbach epitomizes the local leadership we rely upon to do our work. He is a true hero of land conservation in our region. 

The town of Kingston has greatly benefited from the leadership of Gary Langenbach, a long-time member and chair of the Kingston Conservation Commission. A native of the region, Gary has spent a lifetime exploring the remote corners of Southeastern Massachusetts. He has a wealth of knowledge about open lands and served for two decades as the chair of the Wildlands Trust Lands Committee, which visits and vets each parcel of land we consider for protection. 

In the video below, hear from Gary himself about his passion for the natural lands of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Read Gary’s obituary here. Donations in Gary’s memory may be made to Wildlands Trust, by mail to 675 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360 or online at wildlandstrust.org/donate.

Wildlands Raises Over $71,000 for Willow Brook Farm

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

When natural lands come under threat of development, degradation, or disrepair, their futures depend on the support of their community—the people who walk their trails, gaze upon their landscapes and wildlife, and breathe their purified air.  

Time and time again, communities across Southeastern Massachusetts have “walked the walk” when their beloved natural sanctuaries need human resources to withstand human pressures. This summer, the region received its latest test—and passed with flying colors. Thanks to an outpouring of community support, Wildlands Trust raised nearly $72,000 to upgrade Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke, far surpassing our campaign goal. 

“Wildlands Trust was able to protect Willow Brook Farm in 1997, thanks to a generous gift from South Shore philanthropists Herb and Paulie Emilson,” said Wildlands President Karen Grey. “However, infrastructure and amenities that were built in 1997 had reached life expectancy, and upgrades were required to ensure public safety.”  

Old farm path at the entrance of Willow Brook Farm. Photo by Rob MacDonald.

Few places anywhere pack the same wealth of cultural and natural resources into a suburban setting as Willow Brook Farm. Comprising 167 wild acres just 30 miles south of Boston, Willow Brook Farm epitomizes the globally rare ecological diversity of the Herring Brook Valley. Each year, over 20,000 people explore Willow Brook’s field, forest, and wetland habitats to learn about the human and natural communities that have come and gone from the region.  

After 27 years serving the people and wildlife of Southeastern Massachusetts, Willow Brook Farm needs upgrades to bolster its safety and value for future generations. Improvements include replacing extensive boardwalks and bog boards, removing invasive plants, repairing the parking lot, improving trail signage, and building covered picnic tables. Our estimated cost, and consequent fundraising goal, was $60,000.

This figure was lofty, but the generosity of an anonymous donor put our goal within reach. The donor agreed to provide twice the amount of every donation under $500 and match all others, up to $40,000.  

Mango poses beside her sign on the “Dogs of Willow Brook” story walk. Photo by Jennifer Love.

Wildlands wasted no time seizing this remarkable opportunity, with fundraising efforts including: 

• Dog Day: On May 11, 14 canine conservationists converged on Willow Brook Farm to lend a paw to our campaign. Photographer Drew Lederman snapped adorable shots of the dogs and their owners, with all proceeds going to our project. We then used the photos to create a story walk along the entrance trail, encouraging passersby to donate in honor of “The Dogs of Willow Brook.” 

• Kayak raffle: We raffled off a Current Designs Solara 100 kayak, generously donated by Billington Sea Kayak and the Friends of IndieFerm. Congratulations to Bob and Donna for taking home the grand prize! 

• Shaw’s Give Back Where It Counts Reusable Bag Program: Throughout August, Shaw’s Hanson donated $1 to our Willow Brook Farm campaign for every reusable bag sold. 

• Women’s Woodworking Workshop: On September 14, Wildlands' Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski and volunteer Lenna Matthews co-led a carpentry training, organized specifically for women and non-binary individuals. Participants built planter boxes out of recycled wood from Willow Brook Farm boardwalks, with all proceeds going to our campaign. 

We also received considerable donations in honor of our beloved “Trail Guy,” Malcolm MacGregor, who passed away in May. His memory continues to advance conservation across the region. 

Congratulations to Bob and Donna for winning our kayak raffle, which raised funds for Willow Brook Farm.

All the while, our stewardship staff and volunteers have been hard at work, making remarkable progress on many of the proposed upgrades. For a week in August, our project received an extra boost when 23 volunteers from across the country and world (as far as Germany!) joined us at Willow Brook Farm as part of a Sierra Club “volunteer vacation.” 

In total, we received 151 donations from the public, with 94 percent falling under $500—a testament to the diverse community support for Willow Brook Farm. Accordingly, donors had many reasons for giving: 

• “I grew up taking walks in Willow Brook Farm. I am donating so that my daughter and future generations will be able to do the same!” - Katrina D.   

• “Love Willow Brook! That park kept me sane during the pandemic.” - Kelly P. 

• “As an Environmental Educator with the South Shore Natural Science Center from 2002-2013, I had the pleasure of leading multiple groups of third and fourth graders from neighboring towns through Willow Brook. Its vast diversity allowed us to give these children an opportunity to view habitats that most were really not aware of. They enjoyed it all, but the tower, of course, was the big hit! Now as a retiree, I simply enjoy the beauty and unique diversity of the property. Looking forward to the upgrades!”  - Karen K. 

From August 12 to 16, Sierra Club volunteers from across the country and world helped Wildlands staff repair boardwalks, clear vegetation, and more at Willow Brook Farm. Photo by Rob MacDonald.

Thank you to all who have donated or volunteered in support of our campaign. We are humbled by your generosity and committed to keeping Willow Brook Farm a place for people, pets, and wildlife to thrive. Stay tuned for updates as our work continues. 

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 Awarded Grant to Advance Tree Planting in Taunton, Brockton

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

On July 26, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded Wildlands Trust $52,300 through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) to advance urban tree planting in Taunton and Brockton, two of the largest Environmental Justice communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. 

The award marks the sixth time Wildlands has received funds through GGCP, but the first time for work in Taunton. From 2017 to 2021, Wildlands conducted outreach in Brockton through the program. 

“GGCP is a win-win-win for urban landowners and communities, especially in the face of climate change,” said Wildlands Chief of Staff Rachel Bruce. “As the program outreach partner in Taunton and Brockton, we're thrilled for the continued opportunity to improve quality of life in some of the most densely populated areas of Southeastern Massachusetts." 

Community tree planting as part of the GGCP in Brockton.

GGCP is “an environmental and energy efficiency program designed to reduce household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree canopy cover in urban residential areas in the state’s Gateway Cities,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). 

Through the program, state and local foresters plant trees in high-priority neighborhoods, defined by socioeconomic status, existing tree cover, housing stock age, population size, and other variables. Beyond energy savings, GGCP aims to unlock other key benefits of urban tree planting, such as local employment, improved water and air quality, and a greater sense of community. GGCP is a partnership between DCR, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and Gateway Cities and local grassroots organizations. 

Wildlands’ award comes via GGCP’s Non-Profit Partnership Grant Program, which funds non-profits to conduct outreach to residents and business owners interested in receiving free trees from the program. Our outreach efforts will include in-person community engagement, recruiting and training tree maintenance volunteers, and distributing print and digital materials to educate the public about GGCP and the diverse benefits of urban tree planting. 

Brockton is a Tree City USA thanks in part to GGCP tree-planting efforts.

“Expanding our forest canopy is one piece of the larger puzzle to combatting climate change in Massachusetts,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper in a press release. “With continuous heat waves leading to higher energy bills and greater greenhouse gas emissions, our Greening the Gateway Cities Program leverages our state resources and engages residents to help plant trees and enhance public health. Reducing the urban heat island effect is a top priority, and our non-profit partnerships through the GGCP will help cool our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.”   

In 2023, with funding from NOAA, Wildlands and Manomet Conservation Sciences worked with the City of Brockton and Towns of Avon and Abington to test the urban heat island effect in the Brockton area, finding that temperatures differed between tree-shaded and exposed paved areas by up to 13° on a single July afternoon. Planting trees in highly developed areas is key to leveling the playing field in Environmental Justice communities that already suffer disproportionately from climate change. Besides reducing energy costs and protecting public health from intensifying heat waves, denser tree canopies reduce flooding and improve water quality by absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff. 

GGCP crew delivering free trees to the Brockton community.

Wildlands thanks the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for its continued confidence in and support of our efforts to advance environmental justice throughout our service region. 

We will begin outreach this fall in Taunton and this winter in Brockton. Stay tuned for updates as our work continues!