Faces of Greenbelt: Abby Hardy-Moss, Innovator, Educator, Strategic Planner

Science and technology play a pivotal role in all decisions at Greenbelt related to conservation and stewardship — from prioritizing which properties to protect and mapping newly acquired acreage, to planning habitat restoration projects and developing wayfinding that enhances the visitor experience. These tools support Greenbelt’s long-term strategic planning as well as its hands-on land management initiatives.

Since joining Greenbelt in 2011, Abby Hardy-Moss has been leading the charge in advancing the use of science and technology across the organization. Now Vice President of Stewardship, Planning, and Technology, a role she assumed in November 2024, she is playing an ever-more important role in embedding data-driven decision-making into every facet of daily operations.

“What I love about Greenbelt is that we have a culture of innovation,” says Abby. “There’s room to experiment, try new tools, and find creative ways to solve difficult challenges. Technology is really used to support — not replace — our connection to the land. It provides the information we need to make smarter, more effective decisions.”

Over the past decade, Abby has seen the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) — a technology that captures, stores, analyzes, and visualizes location-based data — grow from a tool used by only a few staff members at Greenbelt into an organization-wide platform supporting a wide range of mapping and field data collection efforts.

“One of my goals has been to strengthen Greenbelt’s technical capacity and mentor the next generation of conservation technology professionals,” says Abby. Since launching Greenbelt’s GIS internship program in 2013, she has done just that, helping train 16 college students to date, several of whom have gone on to join the team as full-time staff members.

Beyond the internship program, Abby has helped integrate science and technology into nearly every aspect of Greenbelt’s fieldwork. Staff now use mobile apps to document trails, property infrastructure, wildlife activity, and monitor conservation restrictions in real time. This data feeds into a central system that informs stewardship priorities, while complementary tools — such as drone imagery and custom land management data platforms — help monitor ecosystem health, track climate impacts, and observe landscape changes over time.

Abby’s work at Greenbelt reflects a lifelong connection to the outdoors that began in her childhood in coastal New Hampshire. Growing up near a 100-acre conservation area, she spent countless hours exploring the woods, riding horses, and cross-country skiing through open farmland and forest — land she later watched slowly disappear to development. Those early experiences left a lasting impression and inspired her commitment to conservation as a career.

Before joining Greenbelt, Abby — who holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy & Planning from Tufts University and a Bachelor’s in Communications from Emerson College — worked in the conservation department of Norwell, Massachusetts. In this role, she worked on wetland permitting, open space planning, conservation restrictions, farmland protection, grant writing, and Community Preservation Act (CPA) projects.

Prior to her transition into land conservation, Abby spent nearly a decade in the music industry, primarily working as a sound engineer for live performances and briefly working at a recording studio in Cambridge.

Today, she is more than happy with her decision to pivot her career and channel her love for science, technology, and problem-solving into advancing Greenbelt’s mission. “I’ve always been drawn to work that combines passion, creativity, and purpose. Conservation brings all of that together — it’s grounded in science, but also deeply human.”

Footnote: One would be remiss in profiling Abby without mentioning Teddy, her loyal and ever-present sidekick. Teddy, a six-year-old hound/cattle dog/terrier mix is a beloved presence at the Greenbelt headquarters sometimes referred to as its “mayor” or “greeter.” Teddy loves making the rounds, greeting staff and visitors, and grabbing a quick snack whenever possible.