By President & Executive Director Karen Grey

We sadly share with our members the news that our beloved outreach and education manager, Rachel Calderara, has left Wildlands for a new opportunity. On October 31, 2020, after learning of Rachel’s plans, Wildlands’ president, Karen Grey, sent the following letter to the board and staff:

Dear Wildlands Board & Staff—

I learned yesterday that Rachel Calderara will be leaving Wildlands Trust to take a position working with students at Brockton High School. Rachel is, hands-down, one of the best employees I have ever managed and she will be missed very much.

As the leader of our youth work and public programming over the past four years, Rachel’s impact at Wildlands has been enormous. Having come to us as an Americorp Member in 2015, Rachel instantly stood out with her congenial personality, enthusiasm for our mission, and a professional skill set not usually seen in a 25-year old. During her 11-month Americorp term, she led programs and helped to establish the Brockton High School Envirothon Team, which has become our flagship youth program and a model in the State for other land trusts looking to develop youth programming in environmental justice communities.  Rachel went on to pursue a fellowship in environmental education at the end of her Americorp term, but I knew I wanted to hire her when the opportunity arose. That occasion came in 2016 when Wildlands relocated to the Davis-Douglas Farm and I invited Rachel to come back to develop, launch and run our first ever outreach initiative at Wildlands. In just four short years, she has built a program that is a cornerstone to our membership and fundraising growth. 

Working with youth is first and foremost her calling and she will undoubtedly take Brockton High School by storm. Her energy, creativity, camaraderie and penchant for hard work will be greatly missed at Wildlands Trust. Please join me is wishing Rachel well in her next chapter.