Remembering Herb Emilson

Center: Herb Emilson. Left: Herb’s daughter, Karen McArdle. Right: Wildlands President Karen Grey. Photo by Drew Lederman.

By Karen Grey, Wildlands President

When Herb Emilson retired in 1995 as President and Chairman of the Colonial Group, he found a second career: helping others and supporting the organizations that strive to improve people’s lives. On the South Shore of Massachusetts, where Herb and his wife Paulie focused much of their philanthropy, the name Emilson is synonymous with giving.  

However, it was more than simply “giving” that motivated Herb. Having befriended and worked alongside the father of modern business management, Peter Drucker, Herb was driven to help non-profit organizations improve their management and functionality. He had a knack for sniffing out solid organizations that needed a boost, both from his philanthropy and his business acumen. When Herb wrote you a check, he believed in you and your organization. 

Wildlands Trust was honored to be among the cadre of groups the Emilsons supported over the years. Their generosity protected several parcels of conservation land, including Willow Brook Farm, one of Wildlands’ most important ecological treasures. Herb died last month, two days shy of his 95th birthday, but not before being honored in Wildlands’ anniversary book, 50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People. We will miss him very much.

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Read more about the Emilsons’ impact on regional land conservation in our 50th anniversary blog series, “The Next Remarkable Chapter”: click here. Purchase our anniversary book, 50 Remarkable Years, 50 Remarkable People, at wildlandstrust.org/shop50.

Human History of Wildlands: Shifting Lots Preserve

Ellisville men set out with their boats for a day of sea mossing, circa 1969. Sea mossing was a rite of passage for many Ellisville teenagers. Photo courtesy of Roger Janson, via Friends of Ellisville Marsh.

By Skip Stuck, Wildlands Key Volunteer

You probably would not be reading this if you were not already familiar with Wildlands Trust, its mission, the properties it protects, and the value of wild places in Southeastern Massachusetts. 

Interestingly, where we live, "wild" does not mean untouched by human hands. Just as important as our region’s natural history—our wildlife, forests, seashores, rivers, and ponds—is its human history, crafted by the many hands that have touched and shaped this special place. In fact, there are few if any places in America that offer a richer human history than right here in Southeastern Massachusetts. 

Today, each of Wildlands’ wild places has had many other lives—as hunting grounds, farms, villages, and homes, stewarded, inhabited, and explored by diverse groups ranging from Native Americans to settlers from around the world. With a well-trained eye, much can be learned about these preserves’ natural and human history from their present-day landscapes—the plant and animal life, the geology, the relics of historic land use. But missing from this picture are many of the human stories that give these lands color and context. To this end, we at Wildlands hope to increase our understanding of the human history of the landscapes we protect. 

Following, you will find a brief history of one important property, Shifting Lots Preserve in the Ellisville village of Plymouth. This account is far from exhaustive; it is a living document that we will update as we receive more information from the community. This is the first of hopefully many entries in a series about the human history of Wildlands preserves. 

Al Marsh (lower right) and his father Percy Marsh (center) working with the lobster cars in Ellisville Marsh in the 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Marsh family, via Friends of Ellisville Marsh. Read more about Al’s story in his 2020 account, “Ellisville History,” linked in the “Learn More” section below.

We need your help! We will soon be reaching out to volunteer trail monitors, property abutters, local historians, and others to paint a more complete picture of our cherished lands’ storied pasts. If you have stories to share about a Wildlands preserve, please contact Communications Coordinator Thomas Patti at tpatti@wildlandstrust.org. 

Stay tuned...

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A Brief History of Ellisville harbor and Shifting Lots 

Ellisville Harbor has been coveted for many uses by many parties (human and otherwise) dating back to pre-colonial times. As a result, conflict is a recurring theme of the area’s history, with environmental degradation frequently among the collateral damage. Protection efforts by state, nonprofit, and volunteer groups over the past three decades have begun to restore the area to its original scenic and ecological beauty. 

1600s 

• For hundreds of years, the area was seasonally used by members of the Wampanoag tribe for shellfishing, farming, and hunting waterfowl. In the 1620s, Europeans arrived and settled the harbor area. 

• Ellisville Harbor was named after Lt. John Ellis, Commander of the Sandwich Militia, who was killed in King Philip's War. Also known as Harlow's Landing, Ellisville was the family's homestead for over 250 years. 

• Farmers and fishermen settled the natural harbor to grow salt hay, tend sheep and cattle, and harvest codfish, lobsters, and herring from the sea. 

• A natural spring that fed into the bay is still in use today. 

1700s and 1800s 

• Saltmarsh Lane was a main road north to Boston. A 1711 inn, now a private home, welcomed wayfarers including Henry David Thoreau. 

• Farming and fishing continued as the area became more settled. 

• For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, local fishing families also harvested Irish moss, a seaweed with uses in the production of toothpaste, yogurt, chocolate, and more. It was trucked from Ellisville to Scituate, the American hub of the Irish moss industry, to be processed.   

• With more use, Elllisville Harbor saw more silting in, and despite being protected by a barrier beach, periodic dredging began. 

Lobster boats moored along the Ellisville channel. Photo courtesy of Don Maricle, via Friends of Ellisville Marsh.

1900s 

• By 1900, several significant changes occurred. Plymouth and Cape Cod were becoming vacation destinations. While traditional uses continued until the mid-1900s, with the last lobstering and moss boats moving out in the early 1980s, summer visitors were increasingly attracted to the undeveloped barrier beaches. Overuse by off-road vehicles resulted in increased beach damage and littering, troubling the year-round residents. 

• In addition, the digging of the nearby Cape Cod Canal in the early 1900s changed the tidal patterns and expanded the barrier beach, often closing off the harbor outlet and increasing silting, thus requiring a breakwater. The harbor mouth moved 0.5 miles south. 

• The Ellisville Harbor area was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) by the Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs in 1980.   

• In 1991, an event that came to be known as the “Perfect Storm” closed the harbor outlet altogether, requiring the resumption of dredging. (This happened again in 2005.) 

• Also in 1991, the state purchased the Harlow property and created Ellisville Harbor State Park on the north side of the harbor. 

2000s      

• The south side of the marsh and harbor remained unprotected from development until 2003, when it was donated to Wildlands Trust and named the Shifting Lots Preserve. 

• Recognizing the importance of Ellisville harbor for nesting and the rearing of endangered birds and wildlife, regulations for preserve access and use were soon implemented. 

• In 2009, a History Channel documentary segment portraying the 1620 landing of the Pilgrims used Shifting Lots as one of its filming locations. 

Learn More: 

To learn more about the history, ecology, and importance of Shifting Lots and Ellisville Harbor, take time to visit and experience it for yourself. Also, see these resources: 

• Visit wildlandstrust.org/events to find a schedule of group hikes and volunteer opportunities at Shifting Lots and other Wildlands Trust preserves 

• Our property description at wildlandstrust.org/shifting-lots-preserve 

• The Friends of Ellisville Marsh at ellisvillemarsh.org 

• Rescuing Ellisville Marsh: The Long Fight to Restore Lost Connections by Eric P. Cody, founder of the Friends of Ellisville Marsh

• “Ellisville History” by Albert Marsh, 2020. Shared with permission from the Estate of Albert B. Marsh.

Wildlands Pilots Volunteer Training Series

Programs at the Stewardship Training Center will prepare entry-level volunteers to contribute to local conservation.

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

Volunteers donate their time, energy, knowledge, and skills to conservation initiatives across the state. Investing in their generosity is one of the most efficient and effective ways to invest in our natural and scenic lands. Who will lend these helping hands a helping hand? 

Wildlands Trust’s Stewardship Training Center aims to do just that—equip volunteers with the confidence and know-how they need to care for the conservation lands they cherish, and then connect them with opportunities to put those skills to work. 

Last July, Wildlands convened a focus group of 12 municipal conservation professionals to assess training needs for local volunteers. The consensus was clear: volunteers bring a wide range of skill sets to land stewardship projects. Developing a standardized training program would not only build cities and towns’ stewardship capacity, but also help them evaluate that capacity and plan projects accordingly.  

“Over a quarter of Massachusetts is protected conservation land, and we need to grow our capacity to care for it,” said Wildlands President Karen Grey. “A corps of committed volunteers can play a significant role, which is why we’re offering programming at the Stewardship Training Center to create a critical mass of trained volunteers to help municipalities and land trusts steward their properties.” 

Enter Wildlands’ Tier 1 Volunteer Training Series, a pilot program this winter and spring at the Stewardship Training Center. After completing four two-hour modules, volunteers will return to the trails with proficiency in core stewardship areas: 

• Feb. 24: Basic First Aid & CPR 

• Mar. 7: Public Advocacy & Challenges 

• Apr. 18: Hand Tool Use & Maintenance 

• May 9: Trail Monitoring & Maintenance 

Except for Basic First Aid & CPR, these programs are free to all current and prospective volunteers. No experience is required. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend all four modules and receive Tier 1 certification, detailing the skills they learned from experienced Wildlands staff and partners. Wildlands will offer these modules again in the future. 

"There is a significant community of enthusiastic volunteers just waiting for us to bring them in on advancing local and regional land conservation,” said Wildlands volunteer Rob MacDonald, who played a key role in the conception of these programs. “The Tier 1 Training Series will help connect this base to towns, cities, and nonprofits that need their help.” 

All current and interested land stewardship volunteers are welcome. In addition to skill-building, these sessions will offer an avenue for physical activity, scaled to individual ability. They will also introduce trainees to a tight-knit community of like-minded peers and to new ways to get involved with local conservation efforts. 

To learn more about the Tier 1 Volunteer Training Series and other opportunities at the Stewardship Training Center, visit wildlandstrust.org/training or contact Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski at trainingcenter@wildlandstrust.org. 

VolunTuesdays Build Wildlands’ Stewardship Community

Volunteer trail work day at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater.

Editor’s Note: Due to inclement weather, our January VolunTuesday projects have been pushed back by one week. The dates below have been updated to reflect this change.

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

On December 5, the United Nations recognized its 38th annual International Volunteer Day. Also on December 5, Wildlands Trust embarked on a volunteer initiative of its own. But whereas the UN grants volunteerism a day of the year, we’re giving it a day of the week. 

This fall and winter, the power of volunteerism was on full display when dozens of local nature appreciators joined Wildlands staff for a trail-building project at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater. As those Tuesday work days (temporarily) drew to a close, we couldn’t help but wonder: why can’t every Tuesday be as volunteer-ific as these? 

“We were so humbled by the turnout and enthusiasm of our friends and neighbors at North Fork,” said Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski. “We realized there was a lot of momentum and energy behind these weekly opportunities and wanted to continue convening our community beyond this project.” 

Volunteer gardening day on December 12, 2023, at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth.

Enter VolunTuesdays, Wildlands’ new series of weekly volunteer projects intended to boost our land stewardship efforts and, even more importantly, build a community of natural guardians throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. Occurring every Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm at a different Wildlands preserve, VolunTuesdays train volunteers in trail-building, gardening, amenity repairs, and more—all while leaving plenty of time before and after the hard work to share stories and laughs over coffee and snacks. 

Fittingly, our first two efforts to germinate the seed of a weekly volunteer day took place in the garden. On December 5, our first official VolunTuesday saw pioneering volunteers help Wildlands staff restore the garden at Great River Preserve in Bridgewater. The following week, volunteers joined us at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth to get the Community Garden ready for winter.  

“Our VolunTuesday projects have been a huge success so far,” Zoë added. “Already, volunteers have made a real impact on our stewardship capacity. But beyond that practical value, building relationships between our organization, the communities we serve, and their natural resources promotes the reciprocity that land stewardship depends on. We hope these opportunities continue to engage our communities for the benefit of our region.” 

Volunteer gardening day on December 12, 2023, at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth.

Designed to be flexible, hassle-free, and welcoming to all, VolunTuesdays are drop-in style, meaning volunteers can come and go as they please within the timeframe of the program. No registration or experience is required—just bring work- and weather-appropriate clothing and a can-do attitude! 

After a short break caused by inclement weather and the holiday season, VolunTuesdays are back! Join us on Tuesday, January 23, at Great Neck Preserve in Wareham to re-route a section of trail. On January 30, help us repair the boardwalk at Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke.  Stay up to date on the latest volunteer opportunities at wildlandstrust.org/volunteer.

To our volunteers: thank you for the time, knowledge, dedication, and joy you bring to Wildlands. See you on Tuesday! 

Volunteer Trail Work day at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater.

If a Tree Falls: Wildlands' Storm Damage Response

By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator

Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski removes a fallen tree at Delano Memorial Forest in Rochester.

If a tree falls in a storm, does it make a sound? 

If that tree crosses a Wildlands trail, then yes. If not heard directly, the crack and boom of the tree’s descent will reverberate along a systematic chain of communication between Wildlands’ stewardship staff and volunteers, ensuring its prompt removal for the safety and convenience of preserve visitors. 

While many fret over the risks that high winds pose to their homes and property, few may consider how their favorite woodland trail remains timber-free, storm after storm. But at Wildlands, every severe storm is an all-hands-on-deck event that relies on the generosity and dedication of volunteers in the communities we serve. 

Tree work at Stewart/Person Preserve in Kingston.

When a potentially destructive storm enters the forecast, one of our stewardship team’s first orders of business is to enlist our trusty reserve of Adopt-a-Preserve (AAP) volunteers. In times of climatic peace, these brave individuals make monthly visits to Wildlands preserves, reporting any signs of disturbance to our staff. But when a powerful storm brews, their reports become even more critical.  

“We have far fewer land stewards on staff than we have preserves that need attention after a storm,” said Owen Grey, Wildlands’ Stewardship Operations Manager. “Our AAP volunteers help fill that gap.” 

By documenting the severity of storm damage at a given property, AAP volunteers help Wildlands prioritize the places that need the most immediate response. For safety’s sake, a tree hanging precariously over a trail warrants faster attention than a tree resting on the ground. More frequently visited preserves claim priority over less visited ones. Preserves with a history of significant storm damage also receive early consideration. It’s tree triage. 

Wildlands stewardship staff cuts down an overhanging tree at Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke.

There are certain steps an AAP volunteer can take to maximize their contribution to this mission. Photos help Wildlands staff visualize the extent of storm damage. Pairing these photos with exact locations helps our stewards respond and move on to the next property as quickly as possible. (Volunteers can geo-reference their photos by taking a screenshot of their location on Avenza, a free mobile app that tracks visitors’ routes on Wildlands trails.) Volunteers should not chainsaw or take on other dangerous tasks on their own—not only is this unsafe, but it violates Wildlands policy and often costs our stewardship team extra time in the field. 

When it’s time for the Wildlands stewardship staff to respond to storm damage, preparation is key. Plans are written. Routes are mapped. Equipment is tested and fueled. At least two, but often more, stewards attend each site visit.  

Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski removes a fallen tree at Striar Conservancy in Halifax.

As a result, these efforts take time. Under perfect conditions, Wildlands can respond to about four properties per day. Therefore, we appreciate visitors’ patience in the days and weeks following a major storm. Please know that we are responding to our preserves as efficiently as we can while ensuring the safety of our staff and visitors.

To our Adopt-a-Preserve volunteers: thank you for your dedication to our work. Your contributions are essential to our mission of safeguarding the special places of Southeastern Massachusetts! 

Interested in joining our ranks? Several Wildlands properties are in need of monthly monitors, including Crystal Spring Preserve in Plainville. Adopt a Preserve today at wildlandstrust.org/volunteer.