2009 Annual Meeting

2009 Annual Meeting Photo Album

November 4th, 2009

The Conservancy held its 11th Annual Meeting at Wheelock College’s Family Theater on November 4. The event drew an audience of over 150 including the Board of Directors, Park Overseers, Stewardship Council, government representatives and members of the general public. The reception featured informal conversation, good food and mingling before everyone moved into the theater for the program. Board Chairman, Ben Taylor, introduced new board members, John R. Cook, Jr. and Lynn A. Dale, and thanked the event sponsors MASCO, Wilmington Trust, Wheelock College, Harvard, and FedEx Kinkos.

The Annual Report was given by Conservancy President, Julie Crockford. She noted that volunteerism continues to increase, our public education program has expanded to include a course for Eldershostel and guided tours, and that progress has been made in the restoration of the Woodlands in Olmsted Park. In the coming year, the Conservancy will transform the Stonybrook Gatehouse in the Back Bay Fens into a welcome center and Conservancy office located in the heart of the Emerald Necklace. (Click here for the full text of the President’s Report).

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner, Rick Sullivan gave an update on transportation reform and assured us that the parkways not included in the reform legislation remain in the care and custody of DCR. As required by the law, DCR will prepare a report in the next year on the disposition of other parkways and the administration remains committed to maintaining the majority of these assets as part of the parks agency.

Board member, Dr. Roger Harris, shared his experiences growing up near Franklin Park as an introduction to the keynote speaker, Peter Forbes, the Director and Co-founder of The Center for Whole Communities. Peter delivered an inspiring address about finding the place that moves us and reconnecting with nature. He encouraged us to tell our stories as a means to growing a strong community.

Director of Youth Programs, Kate England, reviewed highlights of the Conservancy’s expanded summer Green Team program and introduced our first Leadership Program participants. Don Eunson, Senior Project Manager, unveiled the Conservancy’s new Emerald Necklace Map and Guide and presented our Volunteer of the Year Awards to Jill Conley for her work on the new map and Berklee College of Music’s Gracenotes for their continued work at Mother’s Rest in the Back Bay Fens. The event was then wrapped up with some closing remarks from Julie Crockford.

The Conservancy would like to thank everyone that attended this year’s Annual Meeting, as well as our sponsors and host, Wheelock College. Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you all at next year’s Annual Meeting!

10th Anniversary Annual Meeting

10th Annual Meeting Photo Album

November 19th, 2008

The Annual Meeting featured:

The President's Annual Report from Julie Crockford, including the introduction of our two new board members Monroe "Bud" Moseley, Principal at Isaacson & Miller and Linda Edmonds Turner, President of Urban College

Recognition of the Emerald Necklace Maintenance Collaborative and introduction of Governor Deval Patrick by Governor Michael Dukakis

Keynote Address made by Governor Deval Patrick

Recognition of our first Summer Youth Green Team by Youth Programs Manager Kate England

Recognition of our Volunteers of the Year by Senior Project Manager Don Eunson

Sponsored by Wentworth Institute of Technology, Kinkos, Harvard University, MASCO, and Wilmington Trust.