News

On Saturday, May 2, starting at 9:00am, Greenbelt will host its sixth annual Gravel Bike Meetup at Vineyard Hill Reservation in Hamilton. The event is free and welcomes riders of all levels;…

Whether you’re hiking, running, biking, dog walking, or horseback riding, we all share responsibility for protecting the environment and respecting fellow trail users. Check out our new trail safety…

Over the past three years, Laurie Hark has built something of a loyal fanbase as the organizer and walk leader for Greenbelt’s Senior Strolls Series and with good reason.

This spring, Greenbelt is making a final fundraising push to protect the 125-acre Streeter property in Wenham, also known as “Old Farm.” A site walk is scheduled for April 16.

Over the winter months, Greenbelt staff and community members alike have noticed an uptick in bald eagle activity on the North Shore and Cape Ann. So what’s behind the increase?

Last spring, Greenbelt surveyed more than 7,000 Essex County constituents to gather feedback on its conservation, stewardship, and engagement efforts. The results reflected overwhelmingly positive…

This winter, Essex County has been measuring snow by the foot, not the inch — a sharp contrast to the relatively mild winters of recent years. While it may be beautiful to behold, the snow also…

On Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00–8:00pm, Greenbelt, Essex County Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust will host “Planning for the Future of Your Farm,” a free, interactive workshop for Essex…

Greenbelt’s new NextGen community brings together young go-getters and changemakers who care deeply about land conservation, the environment, and ensuring equitable access to nature across Essex…

Mary Catherine Kingsley of Gloucester joined the Go-Getter Trails Challenge in June of last year, just a few months after hip replacement surgery. The timing proved perfect!

Chris LaPointe reflects on the many accomplishments of 2025, all made possible by the generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners, and friends throughout the community.

This November, Greenbelt’s Stewardship team completed a series of property enhancements at Dodge Farm in Wenham to improve accessibility.

After a rigorous four-month fundraising campaign, Greenbelt has raised the $3.7 million needed to permanently protect 66 acres of ecologically significant land at 133 Essex Street in Hamilton,…

An active and enthusiastic member of the community, Linda McDonald generously gives her time and energy to a wide range of Greenbelt programs and initiatives.

On Wednesday, January 28, from 6:00–8:00pm, Greenbelt and the West Newbury Open Space Committee will host “Deciding the Future of Your Land,” a free conservation workshop for local landowners.

The latest issue of Greenbelt’s print newsletter is out, highlighting our conservation, stewardship, and community engagement initiatives across Essex County.

In early 2026, Greenbelt will launch a campaign to permanently protect approximately 125 acres of forest, farmland, wetlands, and trails in Wenham.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration this fall — or any time of year — to get outside and explore the trails of Essex County and beyond, look no further than the Instagram account of Marc…

John Hess has earned the reputation for being a completionist — and with good reason. Not only did he finish Greenbelt’s Go-Getter Trails Challenge by hiking all 55 listed properties, he added five…

Earlier this month, our Stewardship team received some welcome assistance on a new habitat restoration project at Castle Neck River Reservation in Ipswich.

Since joining Greenbelt in 2011, Abby Hardy-Moss has been leading the charge in advancing the use of science and technology across the organization.

At Wheatland Field in Topsfield, Greenbelt’s Stewardship team is engaged in a long-term effort to remove black swallow-wort, an aggressive invasive vine that threatens native plants and pollinators.

Janet Ritter Yeager has visted an impressive 51 properties over the past four months as part of our Go-Getter Trails Challenge. Go Janet!

Laura Reinoso-Graham moved to Lynn this past January from her native Colombia and has been an active and enthusiastic Greenbelt volunteer ever since.

A total of 92 breeding pairs were documented north of Boston this year, producing 115 fledglings overall; more than 40 volunteer nest monitors helped collect data.

As you explore trails across the region this time of year, remember that deer hunting season (archery only) opens in Essex County on October 7 and closes on November 27.

Learn more about Merrimac artist and creative placemaker Jenn Houle, whose Glow Mural Project is currently on display at four Greenbelt locations through October.

Greenbelt has reached an agreement to purchase and permanently protect 66 acres of ecologically significant land at 133 Essex Street in Hamilton, adjacent to Chebacco Woods.

Since 2001, Dave Rimmer has been a cornerstone of the Greenbelt community, leading land stewardship with a thoughtful, balanced approach. In this reflection, he honors the people who made his work…

Colleagues past and present reflect on Dave Rimmer's lasting legacy after nearly 25 years of exceptional leadership at Greenbelt.

The Glow Mural Project, a unique nighttime art experience that blends glow-in-the-dark murals, hands-on community science, and native plant restoration, now on view at four Greenbelt properties.

In June, Greenbelt successfully acquired Hoyt Farm in Merrimac, one of the largest remaining unprotected farms in the Merrimack Valley.

Emerson Dahmen has been a dedicated Osprey monitor for more than a decade and also contributes his time and expertise to Greenbelt in many other ways.

A curious and enthusiastic group of fifth graders from Glen Urquhart School in Beverly are well-versed in all things invasive — as well as a variety of other topics related to land conservation and…

Jessica and Michael Tomlinson live just across the street from the trailhead to the Viburnum Woods conservation area, which officially opened in early June. Residents of Haverhill’s Parsonage Hill…

Check out Greenbelt’s 2024 Annual Report — an overview of the year’s conservation milestones and a heartfelt thanks to the supporters who made it all possible!

As Greenbelt’s Seasonal Stewardship Ranger, Phil McGowan's job is to visit all of our public properties across Essex County to ensure they are safe, clean, and welcoming.

Henry Siedzik, a 15-year-old Hamilton resident and Beverly High School sophomore, recently completed a community service project at Dodge Farm.

It's nesting season for several ground-nesting grassland birds, and a leash policy has been implemented on several Greenbelt properties through July 15 to help protect these vulnerable species.

More than 80 members of the Greenbelt community came together on May 15 for our Annual Meeting — always a wonderful opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate our shared achievements from the past…

Dan Tieger and Noah Leavitt are devoted gravel riders who launched Greenbelt’s Gravel Bike Meetup, now in its fifth year. This year's event will take place Saturday, May 3, starting at Vineyard Hill…

In this new video, Greenbelt’s Director of Land Conservation, Vanessa Johnson-Hall, shares why conserving Hoyt Farm goes far beyond preserving working agricultural land.

Jim Comeau has dedicated his entire professional career to land conservation. Over a period of nearly four decades he has played a pivotal role in the permanent protection of countless natural…

This spring, Greenbelt will host a series of free guided walks in the DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area, an environmentally rich 330-acre property that spans Gloucester and Manchester. The walks…

Learn more about Greenbelt's farmland conservation efforts and the many benefits of protecting these vital landscapes.

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.