Manchester Essex Conservation Trust

“The organization has members.”

“The members elect trustees and officers on a rolling basis at the annual meeting each year in november.”

“The form 990 is provided to the board of trustees for review before filing.”

“Each board member signs the conflict of interest policy annually at the beginning of the year.”

“The salaries of all employees are evaluated and changes approved at the end of the year by the executive committee with input from members of the board. Comparative research on a cost of living adjustment was made in light of the current inflationary cycle.”

“Documents available upon request.”

“Manchester essex conservation trust preserves in perpetuity the natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and open space resources in our two towns and adjacent communities. We protect this land through acquisitions, conservation restrictions, donations and engagement with the public. Through sharing this land, we encourage and support exploration of nature, education, and scientific study.”

“Volunteers continue to contribute to mect's effectiveness, including trail clean-ups and blazing, planning and leading hikes, fundraising, trail stewardship, deed research, and monitoring easements. Twelve trustees, three officers and numerous volunteers contribute thousands of hours.”

“Mect conserves land through acquisitions of fee interest and conservation restrictions in essex and manchester ma. In 2024, we acquired several parcels for a total of approximately 20 acres. We partnered with essex county greenbelt on two state grants, acquiring over 100 acres in conservation restrictions in essex and gloucester. We are conducting intense deed research in several areas to determine ownership for conservation acquisition purposes, including a 30+ acre parcel in essex, which will be a donation. We continue to work with sellers and to monitor our holdings. We have continued to pursue our capital campaign goal of 5m for land acquisition and defense. We continued to defend our conservation land from a proposed development at our borders, and filed an appeal at ma superior court to further these efforts.”