A message from the new Director of Conservation and Climate and her journey to rediscovering her passions and making a difference where it matters most. Read the full story and more in our upcoming Annual Review 2023-2024.
Dear Reader,
I always tell people that the woods of Gardner City Forest raised me. As a child of the 80’s, I spent countless hours with my sister exploring the miles of trails, old roads and streams throughout the hundreds of acres of pines, maples and oaks barely beyond my backyard. I wasn’t worried about anything out there. I wasn’t worried about the way I looked, or if I was popular with other kids. I didn’t stress about school or if I was good enough at sports. I was just exploring, playing pretend games and being in a place that didn’t really care if I was any particular way at all. When it came time for me to pick a college in high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to major in, I just knew I wanted to be outside as much as possible.
After intensive study and global travel in college where I focused on conservation biology and natural resources management, I moved back to Massachusetts and found a perfect mix of all of my interests in the work of land conservation. Learning from some of the state’s conservation pioneers in Lincoln, MA, I found my passion. I loved working for a small community land trust, a town conservation department, and serving on regional land management groups.
All of my experiences built up to the point where, when my husband and I decided to move our family closer to our parents in north central Massachusetts, the job posting for Executive Director at North County Land Trust seemed like the perfect fit. I was looking for more challenging work that had big impact, and they were looking for a passionate conservationist with a background in small land trusts who cared about the region.
I arrived at North County Land Trust in 2017. By then, NCLT had accomplished so much with very little in its 20-year history but had not fully realized its potential as a regional land trust. Starting out with a staff of 1.5 people, a TerraCorps member, and a dedicated board, we worked hard to double capacity and re-engage supporters. In my seven years as Executive Director, we increased staff to 4.5 positions, raised our revenue from around $80K/year to $350K/ year, and our community grew from less than 100 to over 300 individuals and businesses. In addition, we conserved over 800 acres of land in six communities across our region.
I did not do this alone. Underlying everything we did was an ethos of inclusivity, partnership, and community. Fostering this organizational culture is the legacy I want to leave the organization with from my time as Executive Director. I firmly believe that a healthy organization belongs to all of those who support it, not just those who lead it. The land trust exists beyond any one staff or board member because NCLT is not just a land trust; NCLT represents a community of people who care deeply about the health and well-being of north central Massachusetts and understand that they are connected and responsible to the planet.
With development pressures increasing and climate change an urgent concern, our strategic response to this moment was to outline a more ambitious path for NCLT. Our Growth Project sets challenging three-year goals, such as working to conserve 1,500 acres by 2026. Looking at our strengths, I knew we needed land conservation staff that could go above and beyond to protect more land across the region, as well as an Executive Director that could raise the funds to make those projects possible. My strengths are better suited for our land protection goals. Knowing that, and that my intense personal investment into the organization had taken a toll on my health, I decided to end my term as Executive Director.
Knowing when to step aside is an important part of being a good leader. It allows others to take ownership, expand their thinking, and contribute to creativity. And, to my delight, the NCLT board encouraged me to stay and craft a position that ignited my passions again and allowed my strengths to benefit the land trust I love so dearly. I’m very thankful for that. I’m excited to see who steps up to lead NCLT into our next phase. And even more excited to protect more land in this special part of the planet.
Thank you to everyone who is NCLT. You make us strong, hopeful, and possible.
With love,
Anna Wilkins
Director of Conservation and Climate