Above: SOLF shared a recap of its recent annual meeting, including recognition of a retiring board member and the recipient of the annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award. (contributed photos, logo from website)
The Southborough Open Land Foundation asked me to share a couple of news items. One is highlights from from their recent annual meeting where they gave an update on their ongoing nature preservation efforts and gave out the annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award.
They also recognized a retiring longtime board member, which leads to their second item — a call for volunteers to fill two seats on SOLF’s Board of Trustees.
(Scroll down to the bottom for more details on that.)
Before sharing these updates from SOLF, I’ll also take this opportunity to thank the organization for contributing their ongoing “The Nature of Southborough” series on the blog. (Expect a new one tomorrow!)
Southborough Open Land Foundation Annual Meeting honored Rick Ellis and Joyce Greenleaf
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) held its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 13, bringing together trustees, volunteers, and community members to celebrate another year of conservation work.
SOLF is a private, nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting Southborough’s natural resources. Since its founding in 1988, the organization has preserved 15 properties totaling nearly 200 acres of open space. Its most visited property, the 58-acre Beals Preserve, draws walkers and nature lovers year-round. SOLF is supported primarily by public donations, which fund trail maintenance and habitat stewardship.
President Destin Heilman opened the meeting by introducing the Board of Trustees and reviewing the year’s accomplishments, among them the receipt of a grant to develop a Forestry Management Plan for Beals Preserve. He also recognized the volunteers whose efforts keep SOLF’s properties thriving.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of longtime trustee Rick Ellis, who joined the Board in 2011 and is stepping down this year after 14 years of dedicated service. Rick was presented with a hand-carved wooden bluebird in appreciation of his contributions.
Trustee Sally Watters presented this year’s Elaine Beals Award to Joyce Greenleaf. Given annually to a local resident who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in environmental conservation, the award recognized Joyce for over 20 years of service and leadership on the Stewardship Committee which is responsible for the care of the 90-acre Breakneck Hill Conservation Land and the adjacent 58-acre town forest. Her commitment to the conservation values on these parcels while keeping them available for passive recreation has been exceptional. And her personal commitment to pollinator-friendly native plant gardening is a hands-on inspiration for the broader community. Joyce received a hand-carved wooden bluebird as well.
Both bluebirds were carved by Ben Keyes, a Southborough artist, musician, and Director of L’Abri Fellowship.
The meeting also included the election of trustees, with Eileen Samberg and Sally Watters both re-elected to the Board for five-year terms.
SOLF is actively seeking passionate new members to join its Board of Trustees. [Scroll down for more details.]
Following the formal program, attendees explored displays highlighting SOLF’s ongoing work, including invasive plant management, native plantings, the “Connecting with SOLF” challenge, and the popular Art on the Trails program, held each summer at Beals Preserve.
🌿 Join the Southborough Open Land Foundation Board of Trustees!
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) is a private, volunteer-run land trust protecting and preserving natural spaces right here in Southborough. You may know us best from The Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve — one of our most beloved properties and a favorite spot for walkers in our community.
We maintain our properties through volunteer efforts and professional contractors, funded entirely by donations and grants, with no town funding.
If you care about conservation, love being outdoors, and want to make a real difference locally, we’d love to hear from you. As a trustee, you’ll play a hands-on role in guiding SOLF’s work — reviewing the condition of our properties, making decisions about projects and programs, and helping shape the future of open land in Southborough.
What’s involved:
- Monthly board meeting (second Wednesday of the month) to review properties and make decisions about projects and programs
- Walking and checking in on our properties as a land steward
- Pitching in on trail work and volunteer days if able
- Helping organize events and community programs
No prior board experience needed — just a genuine passion for land conservation and a willingness to show up.
Anyone interested in joining SOLF is encouraged to reach out at info@solf.org.
To learn more about SOLF, you can also check out their website here and their Facebook page here.
