News

After retiring from her role as a computer systems administrator at MIT Lincoln Laboratory several years ago, Zena Runkel quickly immersed herself in volunteer work at Greenbelt. Now she's a GOAT!

There is no “typical” winter for the Stewardship team, so being able to adapt quickly to weather changes is essential. This year, it's all about snow removal!

Andrew Prazar is passionate about the outdoors and inspiring others to connect with nature through programs offered throughout the region, including a number at Greenbelt.

Earlier this month, Greenbelt successfully purchased 330 acres in Gloucester and Manchester, marking the completion of the DeNormandie Woods/Long Hill conservation campaign. This acquisition…

A reflection on Greenbelt’s achievements in 2024 and preview of conservation projects planned for the year ahead.

Get to know Regina Zaragoza Frey, who joined the Greenbelt Board of Directors in May 2024. New to the North Shore, she is an outdoor enthusiast who serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, and…

On December 7, more than 80 land conservation practitioners, supporters, and advocates attended Greenbelt’s Open Space Conference to connect, network, and learn from one another.

Over the past several months, student groups from LEAP for Education, Glen Urquhart School, and Harborlight Montessori School have visited Greenbelt’s Cox Reservation to learn about land conservation…

Get to know Vanessa Johnson-Hall, a dedicated member of Greenbelt’s land conservation team for nearly 14 years who has played a pivotal role in protecting a wide range of properties across Essex…

On the morning of October 29, an enthusiastic crowd of friends, supporters, and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of the 46-acre Artichoke River Woods Conservation Area in West Newbury.

This fall, Greenbelt received a $300,000 Conservation Partnership Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to help protect Hoyt Farm in Merrimac.

A spacious new off-street parking area was recently completed at Seine Field in Gloucester, greatly enhancing access and safety for visitors.

On Tuesday, October 29, from 10:30am to 12:00pm, Greenbelt will celebrate the successful completion of the Artichoke River Woods Conservation Project in West Newbury, which permanently protects 47…

On Saturday, December 7, Greenbelt will host the 2024 Open Space Conference. This free event offers a variety of workshops for municipal staff, board and committee members, and others who are engaged…

Greenbelt is working to protect hundreds of acres of forestland in Gloucester and Manchester. Once completed, the DeNormandie Woods/Long Hill Conservation Project will safeguard vital natural habitat,…

At the annual Osprey Dinner held on September 10, Director of Stewardship Dave Rimmer shared an update on this year’s Osprey season, and by all measures, it was a remarkable success.

Are you interested in helping protect the natural habitats, working farms, and scenic landscapes of Essex County? Check out our careers page! Greenbelt currently has two open positions.

One of the most beautiful seasons at Greenbelt’s Cox Reservation is Fall when the salt marsh that borders the property turns bright red.

On his first day as Greenbelt’s new President, Chris LaPointe expresses his deep appreciation for the team effort behind past conservation successes and shares a glimpse into his vision for the…

Our Stewardship team conducted grassland bird surveys at the Cox Reservation, Donovan Reservation, Castle Neck River Reservation, and Kamon Farm.

My first days at Greenbelt set the stage for what have been six truly wonderful years.

Chris succeeds Kate Bowditch, Greenbelt’s President for the past six years, who is retiring.

The Gentle Trails Program consists of 21 Greenbelt properties that are well-suited to those seeking leisurely strolls and breathtaking views.

As President, Chris has a new platform to utilize his passion and determination for the greater good.

Many are so attractive, others so widespread that we may not realize that dozens of plants common to Massachusetts are one of the greatest natural threats in the state.

You may call them by their innocent-sounding name of Doodlebug, but they are antlions – voracious predators of ants and other insects who fall into their traps.

The Common Yellowthroat is one of North America’s most widespread and abundant warbler species.

Whether a weekend recreational rider, seasoned cyclist or one seeking a more adventurous course, Greenbelt’s annual Tour de Greenbelt offers a course to fit all abilities.

The Wood Thrush is the largest of North America’s spotted thrushes.

Brown Thrashers are a beautiful bird species native to North America.

When you bite into a juicy strawberry each spring, you should not only thank the local farmer who grew it, but also pollinators, without which this delight would likely not exist.

There are 328 landowners involved and every Conservation Restriction is different. It is tailored to the property and the landowner’s wishes on how they wish to protect it. 

The Conservation Restriction ensures Lynn Woods will be forever protected against any development threat.

Every year, thousands of people come to Lynn Woods to enjoy nature among its trees, trails, historic structures, and scenic reservoirs.

Since Russ Cohen’s book “Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten” came out in 2004, interest in eco-friendly food practices have grown rapidly.

Hooded Mergansers, affectionately known as “Hoodies,” are the smallest of the three merganser species occurring in North America. The adult male Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage has a large white…

Harriers are open country birds that are found in meadows, grasslands, freshwater marshes, saltwater marshes open open fields, and agricultural fields that contain tall grasses and low vegetation.

A Belted Kingfisher is often heard before it is seen. A loud, rattling call announces it presence.

These beautiful birds are elegant in appearance and have remarkably silky-smooth plumage. Male and female waxwings look the same and both have a crest that often lies flat and droops over the back of…

The Northern Flicker is one of the most distinctive and the most widespread North American woodpecker. This large woodpecker is easy to identify by its field marks.

In his spring finery, the male Bobolink has been described as looking like a backward tuxedo with solid black upper-parts, a black face, a pale-yellow nape, white shoulder feathers and rump, and…

The adult Green Heron is a striking bird with an iridescent, greenish-blue back, greenish-black crown, rufous neck, white chin, a cream streak that extends from its throat to its belly, a thin,…

Eastern Phoebes are one of the first migrants to return to their breeding grounds in spring. This little brown and yellowish-white passerine is one of the few birds that sing its own name.

Dark-eyed juncos, one of the most abundant species of New World Sparrow, are also one of the most widespread songbirds in North America. There is considerable variation in the plumage of male…

They look the same with their colorful berries that are a true sign of fall, but can you tell these two plants apart? Both are commonly called bittersweet.

If you’ve been out for a walk near woods and wetlands in the past few weeks, you may have heard a noise that sounds a bit like a clucking chicken or duck.

They are persistent devils that attack over and over and over again as females must consume a blood meal to lay fertile eggs.

Chris Rich says his experiences on Bay Circuit Trail experiences are fantastic. We hope you are inspired enough by his wanderings to venture forth yourself.

They may look like wicked-big puddles, but the seasonal pools of water that fill with snowmelt, rain, and spring’s rising groundwater play an almost magical role in the cycles of life.

The Powwow River is an important part of the region’s colonial history, at one time powering a grist mill, bog iron works and several sawmills.

A rare celestial occurrence in January 2019 brought the full Wolf Moon, a Supermoon and a total lunar eclipse on the same night.