Worcester, MA–Over 340 representatives of land trusts, conservation groups, and environmental agencies gathered on March 25, 2002 at Worcester Academy for the thirteenth annual Massachusetts Land Trust Conference. An annual event, the Conference is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition and The Trustees of Reservations.
In his keynote address, Congressman Jim McGovern, of the 3rd Congressional District, brought Conference participants his view of the prospects for federal funding for land conservation projects in this Congressional session. He was introduced by Bob Durand, Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and by Bernie McHugh, Chair of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition. Secretary Durand joined the Congressman in stressing the importance of the conservation work being done by the Commonwealth's non-profit land trusts.
Land trust representatives were offered introductory and advanced workshops throughout the day, ranging from "An Introduction for the Community Preservation Act" to "Membership and Fundraising" and "Land Management Challenges." Presenters were drawn from state and federal agencies, large national and statewide conservation organizations, and local volunteer land trusts.
An important feature of the Conference was the opportunity for participants to share successes and challenges with colleagues from across Massachusetts and to learn from each other's experiences.