Last spring, Greenbelt invited community members across Essex County to share feedback on its land conservation, stewardship, and public engagement efforts through a survey sent to more than 7,000 constituents in both print and electronic formats. The survey gathered insights on overall awareness of Greenbelt and its mission, key areas of interest and knowledge gaps, satisfaction with events, and ideas for future opportunities to get involved.
More than 1,000 individuals completed the survey — a strong 13% response rate — offering overwhelmingly positive feedback on Greenbelt’s role in the community, along with thoughtful suggestions for how it can continue to strengthen and expand its impact.
“The big takeaway from the survey is that Greenbelt is a trusted and deeply valued organization," says Rachel Horgan, Director of Development and Community Engagement. “Community members feel a strong connection to our local conservation mission, public programs, and welcoming culture. They’re eager for more opportunities to engage, learn, and contribute.”
Survey Highlights
- Engagement Begins on the Land
When asked how they first learned about Greenbelt, respondents most often cited visiting a property for recreational purposes (23.5%), followed closely by seeing one of Greenbelt’s signs, word of mouth, attending an event, and reading its newsletters, publications, and website. - Protecting Local Land is Top Priority
Survey respondents consistently praised the clarity of Greenbelt’s conservation mission and its “hyper local” and “laser focus” on protecting land in Essex County. As one participant put it, “Greenbelt is protecting land right in my own backyard!” The impacts are highly visible, meaningful, and making a real difference in people’s lives. - Events Receive High Praise
Survey respondents expressed strong appreciation for Greenbelt’s events, applauding both their variety and the fact that they are offered at no cost. Art in the Barn stood out in particular, with some describing it as “an iconic community event” and “a highlight of the year.” Guided walks, property tours, lectures, film screenings, and signature events such as Tour de Greenbelt and the annual trail run were likewise recognized as meaningful opportunities to connect with others and engage more fully with Greenbelt’s mission. - Interest in Learning More
While respondents were generally familiar with Greenbelt’s mission, many expressed a desire to deepen their understanding of how land conservation and stewardship play an important role in addressing a range of environmental challenges — from safeguarding drinking water and strengthening climate resilience to permanently protecting open space and conserving critical wildlife habitat. - Turning Feedback into Action
Greenbelt is already putting the thoughtful insights gathered through the survey to work, using them to inform our communications and public event planning. In the months ahead, our print and e-newsletters will feature expanded content highlighting the many benefits of land conservation and stewardship, with a focus on topics respondents told us matter most.
To spotlight this community-informed approach, we have created a special icon (shown in the photo above) to identify stories and updates directly related to survey feedback. Watch for this symbol as we continue to listen, learn, and grow alongside our community.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey — your input and ideas are invaluable in shaping and guiding our work.
Missed the survey? We are always eager to hear from our community! Please feel free to share your feedback and insights at: ecga@ecga.org.