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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Announcements / Hellos and Goodbyes: Spring 2025

Hellos and Goodbyes: Spring 2025

April 21, 2025

A photo of a smiling man wearing a button-up fleece jacket, with snow and greenery behind him.
Tariq Abu-Jaber
Tiffany, seen from the torso up, smiles into the camera in front of a red barn wall.
Tiffany Thibodeau

Our Board is Growing

Hilltown Land Trust welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors this year.

Tariq Abu-Jaber of Williamsburg is a member of his town’s Planning Board, and previously served on the board of Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Sanctuary.

Tiffany Thibodeau of Worthington was HLT’s first Office Manager before pivoting full-time to providing grants consulting in service STEM education, youth workforce development, and college access. She serves on the Worthington Conservation Commission.

Tariq and Tiffany will both continue to serve on HLT’s Stewardship Committee in addition to
their new board roles. We’re excited for them to bring their expertise to our conservation mission!

Rus, wearing a red checked shirt, jeans, and sunglasses, is sitting in the grass at the side of a road. His dog, Percy, is seated in Rus's lap. Rus is looking into the camera and smiling.
Rus Peotter with his dog Percy

Board Chair Rus Peotter Retires

Hilltown Land Trust’s former president Rus Peotter, of Chesterfield, retired in 2024 after twelve years of board service. Rus, who led the board as president for four years, will continue with HLT in an advisory role.

Our longtime vice president Susan McAllister of Williamsburg has stepped up as our new Board president.

We’re grateful for the years of service and leadership Rus gave to Hilltown Land Trust during a period of exceptional growth and change for our organization. We look forward to continuing to receive his guidance in his new advisory role, and to working with Susan as our new president.

A photo portrait of a woman with brown hair and wearing a checkered shirt, sitting in a field.
Wendy Sweetser Ferris

Welcome back, Wendy!

Wendy Sweetser Ferris has returned to HLT’s affiliate The Trustees as vice president for the Central and Valley region. As part of her new role, Wendy will help our affiliated organizations build a stronger community of conservation and stewardship in the Hilltowns.

“I’m thrilled to be back at the Trustees helping conserve and steward vital places in this special region,” said Ferris. “Western Massachusetts will be a special focus in our new strategic plan which launches later this year. Our region will play an important role in climate resilience, land conservation, and habitat protection.”

From 2002 to 2012, Wendy worked at our Bullitt Reservation offices in Ashfield as the director of The Trustees’ Highland Communities Initiative, building community and land care capacity throughout our region. We’re delighted to have her back!

Silhouettes of the HLT logo bear and cub.

Filed Under: Announcements, Newsletter

Events Calendar

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1:00 PM - Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
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1:00 PM - Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
6:00 PM - Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
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2:00 PM - Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
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12:00 AM - Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Apr 27th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Clary Hill
  • Family Fun
  • Hike
**RESCHEDULED TO SUN. APRIL 27TH DUE TO WEATHER** Celebrate the opening of HLT’s newest trails at Clary Hill with a 2-mile hike! Explore the meadow, [...]
More Info
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 8th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
May 8th, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Partnership Event
  • Webinar
Do you have a disability, have a loved one with a disability, or advocate for accessible outdoor spaces? Our state partners invite you to join [...]
More Info
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 27th, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
May 31st, 2025 - Jun 1st, 2025    
All Day
  • Partnership Event
  • Race
Join Hilltown Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running for the sixth-annual Chesterfield Gorge Ultra and 25k Race, including the only 100 mile race in [...]
More Info
Events on Apr 27th, 2025
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
27 Apr 25
Goshen
Events on May 8th, 2025
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
8 May 25
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
8 May 25
Events on May 27th, 2025
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
27 May 25
Events on May 31st, 2025
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
31 May 25
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