The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest and one of Massachusetts’ largest statewide land conservation organizations, recently recognized Trustees Greater Boston and Northeast Regional Director Steve Sloan and Meghan Kelleher, who is executive assistant to President and CEO Barbara Erickson with service awards at the organization’s annual meeting held at Naumkeag in Stockbridge.
Sloan was recognized for 15 years of service with the trustees. He manages 43 of the organization’s statewide properties, totaling 8,900 acres and with annual visitation of more than 750,000 people per year. Among the properties are Crane Beach in Ipswich, the Old Manse in Concord, Bird Park in Walpole, five community farms, and the organization’s dairy operation at Appleton Farms.
“Starting as a conservation specialist with The Trustees, Steve was assigned to the southeast and soon picked up the pace of conservation in Dartmouth and Westport,” said Wes Ward, Trustees Vice President for Land Conservation. “Applying resolute confidence and good humor, he made great progress quickly.
“Steve has been directly responsible for some of The Trustees’ most ambitious and important conservation accomplishments at The Trustees, including the Slocum’s River Conservation Project in Dartmouth and East Over Farm in Marion and Rochester.
“After being promoted to Regional Director, Steve hired Anthony Cucchi, a farmland protection specialist, and together they built the successful partnership with the Westport Land Conservation Trust that has since helped to preserve over 2,000 acres in 10 years. Steve has also played a key role in the Governor Oliver Ames property acquisition in Easton, helping to protect a significant number of acres in the town’s Historic District and overseeing its planning and stewardship as a Trustees reservation.”
Kelleher was recognized as Employee of the Year. Kelleher, who has been with the organization for eight years, works tirelessly to help Erickson connect with volunteers, donors, foundations, partners and an on-the-ground, in-season staff of more than 400.
A Wheaton college alum, she has dedicated her career to the service of nonprofits, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Boston Lyric Opera and the Landmarks Preservation Society of Illinois.
She supports the Boston arts as a subscriber to the Boston Ballet and as a Museum of Fine Arts member, as well as supporting two causes close to her heart: the Animal Rescue League and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Her free time is spent traveling, taking studio art classes, and hiking Rocky Woods with her husband Kerry Herzig and their dog, Murphy.
“Meghan is the glue of our Board of Directors and Executive Team and plays a vital role in managing the complex day-day operations of our statewide organization,” says Barbara Erickson, Trustees President and CEO. “She is a stellar professional and such a positive spokesperson for The Trustees.”