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Date: 6/14/2022
HAMPDEN/WORCESTER COUNTY – Since 2000, the Opacum Land Trust (OLT) has served as a 13-town regional land conservation organization, working to protect natural and cultural resources in South Central Massachusetts.
Laney Wilder, executive director of the OLT, said the Opacum name came from the discovery of a marbled salamander in a track of woods, which has a scientific name of “ambystoma opacum.” She explained that this is a threatened species in Massachusetts, which led to the protection of the now Opacum Woods. Prior to its protection, 200 acres of land was supposed to be developed for a golf course.
The Opacum Woods is now the “most popular place to hike,” said Wilder, with its name and mascot stemming from a “little salamander.”
Wilder said the main purpose of the OLT is to protect and conserve land. The nonprofit organization works with private landowners, towns, state and federal organizations. Wilder shared that some of their work with private landowners and the town is to create an “easement” or conservation restriction, to ensure the land is not developed on. “It’s a great option for landowners who want to keep and have protection,” said Wilder.
Once the OLT protects land, the land is protected forever.
Wilder said the OLT protects land in a variety of ways, including the protection of old homesteads and historical significance that may be discovered on the land. She continued by saying, “We help farmers keep land and afford [the land].”
Wilder said that open land is “crucial and valuable for the community.” She noted that a lot of people have used trails during the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s evident that it’s important to help physical and mental health,” said Wilder.
She added that by having open space and trails, overall air quality and water is improved.
As a nonprofit organization, Wilder said they depend on donations along with applying for private and state grants.
Currently the OLT is working on two projects that are grant funded. The first is the Forest Legacy Program Grant that is funding the Emerald Forest Border Program. Wilder said this covers 1,000 acres of land regionally. The OLT is working with private owners on this project.
The second project is the “Tree Planting Initiative,” said Wilder. In Ware and Southbridge, the OLT is planting 1,000 trees to urbanize the towns, provide shade, clean air, help with the heat island effect and more, added Wilder. While the OLT is overseeing the project primarily in Southbridge, they have partnered with the East Quabbin Land Trust, as Ware is outside their jurisdiction.
“When working on a specific project, we will do a land campaign to help with the costs,” said Wilder. She noted that as a nonprofit, they cannot afford the full-value price of a property, so they will often do a bargain sale with the landowner, along with applying for grants.
The OLT hosts fundraisers throughout the year, in addition to accepting donations online and checks in the mail.
The OLT’s biggest fundraiser, “Tour Opacum,” is set to take place on Sept. 25, said Wilder. She encourages those who enjoy biking, to participate in the region tour as they experience the hills and land. Information on the event can be found at https://www.opacumlt.org/.
Wilder told Reminder Publishing that her background is in botany, specifically working with rare plants. “It’s a very important field,” said Wilder, although she said it can be “depressing,” as she has watched plant populations become smaller and smaller.
Wilder said she worked at the Natick Plant Trust, along with botany work in Concord. When she and her husband moved to Brimfield, Wilder heard about the OLT and “felt like [she] could help with protecting these rare plant species on property or open land,” she said. After learning of an open position on the OLT, Wilder applied and received the job. She has been president of the organization for about one year.
Currently on the OLT, there are two full-time staff, including Wilder and Amy Connery, chief operating officer. Alongside them, Wilder said they have one part-time employee, a president, vice president, treasurer and clerk. The board of directors is made up of 11 volunteers.
“We’re small but mighty,” said Wilder. “We’re very ambitious and I hope we can grow even more, [and] take on more staff.”
She continued, “We are trying to be more creative and work outside the box. We want to evolve and adapt to community needs and be a community organization.” Wilder noted that the OLT wants to be more inclusive.
Leslie Duthie, president of the OLT, said she became really involved in 2007. For several years, she served as the vice president, until her promotion this year.
Duthie noted that her role from vice president to president has not changed much, although her retirement has allowed her to devote more time to the OLT.
She added that her new role allows her to be a little more “face forward” and interactive with the public. Duthie said she would like to involve and inform more people about the OLT, by hosting walks and other programs that are open to the public.
Additionally, she said she has conducted more orientation for the other board members, as they come from different backgrounds. For instance, Duthie said her area of expertise is in land acquisition and protection, as she has done this in Monson for about 20 years. “I look at the values of land, cost of protecting that land” and more, said Duthie. However, she said finance is not her strong suit, whereas for others it is.
Over the last 10 years, Duthie recognized the growth of the OLT.
“Laney has been a wonderful addition to the land trust,” said Duthie. “[We have] two younger women running [our] organization. That shows commitment to the future and greater diversity,” for the OLT.
The OLT serves Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Holland, Monson, North Brookfield, Palmer, Sturbridge, Southbridge, Wales, Warren and West Brookfield.
For additional information on the OLT, visit https://www.opacumlt.org/.