About GWLT
The Greater Worcester Land Trust is a small non-profit organization created in 1987 to purchase, hold, advocate for, preserve or transfer, critical open space parcels in the Greater Worcester area. The Land Trust is run by a board of trustees, volunteers, and a small office staff.
We endeavor to acquire and maintain land for preservation of wildlife so that current and future generations can enjoy the mental and physical well-being wilderness and our natural environment provides.
We achieve this by:
- Working with local and state officials in the coordination of conservation efforts and the securing of grants
- Purchasing land of conservation interest
- Accepting gifts of land
- Securing and enforcing conservation easements
- Pursuing limited development ventures where appropriate
- Advising landowners regarding techniques and estate-planning benefits of land preservation
Read our brochure
Our Crew
GWLT Board
Allen W. Fletcher
President
Allen W. Fletcher is the retired chairman of Worcester Publishing Ltd., a publisher of numerous business and general interest periodicals. A native of Worcester, he is a founding member of the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
George L. Dresser
Secretary
George focuses his practice on land conservation. He provides general counsel to a number of conservation land trusts and has extensive experience in drafting conservation restrictions. George is one of the founders of two local conservation land trusts: the White Oak Land Conservation Society, Inc., based in Holden, and the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Inc., based in Worcester.
Frank Callahan
Treasurer
GWLT Staff
Colin Novick
Executive Director
Colin is a Worcester native and an alumnus of the University of Chicago. Serving as the Executive Director of the Greater Worcester Land Trust, he has pursued conservation for the past two decades. Colin has also served the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (as Secretary, Chair, and Chef) and worked with the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Bolton Land Trust, and the Regional Environmental Council. He serves as a deacon for the Cathedral of Saint Paul in the Diocese of Worcester.
Olivia Houde
Stewardship Coordinator
Lea C. Deschenes
Operations & Development Assistant