PRESS RELEASE
October 11, 2006The Trustees of Reservations to Hold
Conservation Works! Volunteer Day in 23 Massachusetts Communities
Saturday, October 28th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
Over 600 Volunteers Expected Statewide
Sharon, MA -- It takes a village to accomplish great things in any community. The Trustees of Reservations, the world's oldest regional land trust, is calling families, friends and neighbors to get together and give back to their local communities by participating in a morning of service at one of 23 special places around the state.
Known for destinations like Crane's Beach in Ipswich, World's End in Hingham and Monument Mountain in Great Barrington, The Trustees of Reservations own and manage nearly 25,000 acres on 96 reservations in 70 communities—all open to the public. Conservation Works! is a statewide service day designed to bring people together to have fun while caring for these special places that enhance the quality of life in our communities.
The Conservation Works! service program attracts hundreds of people each year. Volunteers contribute more than 2,700 hours of service--what a full-time employee could accomplish in a year--all done in a single day. The Trustees, a member-supported, non-profit organization, are always looking for opportunities to bring community members together to care for the many farms, historic homesteads, beaches, trails and forests we provide year round for the people of Massachusetts to use and enjoy.
“I have been part of Conservation Works! each year since its inception,” says Peter Creighton, a long-time volunteer leadership committee member with The Trustees. “It has been a great way for me to connect with my friends, get outdoors and have fun while also doing some meaningful work. Whether removing invasive plants or rebuilding a stone wall, volunteering at a Trustees' property gives me a deeper understanding of its history, ecology and what it really takes to care for and maintain these exceptional places for everyone to use and enjoy.”
Volunteers are needed to rake, prune, paint, plant, pick up litter, welcome workers, clear brush and debris, clean up beaches, clear invasive plant species, put gardens to bed for the winter or build trails, bridges and brick pathways. Pack a picnic, bring your friends and family, and make a day of it. To find out more about opportunities in your community or to register for Conservation Works! please call The Trustees at 978.921.1944 x1843 or send an email to volunteers@ttor.org. To register online, visit The Trustees at www.thetrustees.org.
About The Trustees of Reservations
Founded in 1891, The Trustees of Reservations are the nation's oldest regional land trust and nonprofit conservation organization. Supported by more than 40,000 members, The Trustees protect Massachusetts' natural and historic resources for everyone to enjoy. From working farms to historic homesteads, barrier beaches to mountain vistas, The Trustees own, manage, and interpret nearly 25,000 acres on 96 reservations in 70 communities across Massachusetts, including four National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, and seven properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Trustees hold perpetual conservation restrictions on nearly 14,000 acres—more than any other conservation organization in Massachusetts—permanently protecting scenic and natural areas from development, and have assisted in the protection of nearly 12,000 additional acres.
With the support of more than 13,500 donors, The Trustees recently completed a landmark capital campaign, raising $63 million in cash and receiving more than $35 million in land in just five years—the largest campaign by an environmental organization in Massachusetts' history. Funds raised have been used to establish ten new reservations on 1,685 acres—all are open to the public.
In addition, The Trustees just finalized a permanent affiliation with Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN), to act with one voice, for conservation, in Boston. Established in 1977, BNAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together Boston residents, city officials, partner organizations and foundations to preserve, expand and protect open space, including community gardens, greenways and urban wilds. The partnership will enable BNAN and The Trustees to expand conservation efforts in Boston and impact the development of other urban locations in the future.
The Trustees employ 130 full-time and 400 seasonal staff with expertise in many areas, including ecology, education, historic resources, land protection, conservation, land management, and planning. To find out how you can interview Trustees' experts on important topics and issues, volunteer or become a member, please call The Trustees of Reservations at 781.784.0567, visit our website at www.thetrustees.org, or email us at membership@ttor.org.