Mary Wilson Community Conservation Award
Owner of Jacob Hill Farm, Mary Wilson founded the Seekonk Land Conservation Trust in 1967 and was president for its first 20 years. The award was established in 2005 to honor her legacy, and is presented annually to an individual, organization or business that has significantly contributed to the protection and appreciation of nature and open space in Seekonk.
Mary Wilson with her beloved horse Max.
Recent Awards
Past Recipients
2023: The Medeiros Family
Members of a longtime Seekonk family. Enabled the Town to purchase 40 acres of their historic chicken farm on Lincoln and Elm Streets, which will be used for recreational fields, hiking trails, and historic preservation.
2022: Robert and Julia Emlen
Longtime supporters of the SLCT. Placed a Conservation Restriction on their Prospect Street property to protect the Runnins River.
2020–2021
No awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019: The Pray Family
Members of a longtime Seekonk family. Placed an Agricultural Preservation Restriction on Oakdale Farm held by the family for five generations.
2018: Matthew Wills
Seekonk High School Biology teacher. Conducted fieldwork with his students studying the biology of the Runnins River.
2017: Kelley Whitmore
Land conservation specialist working for the SLCT. Instrumental in passing the Community Preservation Act in Seekonk and in acquiring land for the SLCT.
2016: Bill Clark
Longtime member of SLCT. Developed educational mini-grant program in Seekonk schools and co-planned Nature Days. Took photos and produced artwork and graphic design for pamphlets, posters, t-shirts, and publicity. Co-president from 2003–2005 with Elizabeth Paquette.
2015: Boy Scout Troup 28 Providence
Organized clean-ups on three Land Trust properties and constructed benches for the Brackett property and Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge.
2014: Charles and Susan Waddington
Longtime supporters of SLCT. Placed a Conservation Restriction on their Read Street farm.
2013: Arthur Yaghjian
Member of a longtime Seekonk family. Placed an Agricultural Preservation Restriction on his family farm.
2012: Elizabeth Paquette
Longtime member of SLCT. Emphasized stewardship work and co-planned Nature Days. Diligently maintained “Green Books” property records. Co-president from 2003–2005 with Bill Clark.
2011: Nicholas Croninshield
First Seekonk High School student appointed to the Land Trust board. Created the website for SLCT and continued to maintain the website as a sophomore at URI while also holding a part-time job.
2010: Nancy Messinger
Protégé of SLCT founder Mary Wilson, member since 1978, and President from 1993–2003. During that time, the Land Trust acquired over 200 acres of land including the Edna Martin Wildlife Preserve. Established the mini-grant program to support environmental education in Seekonk schools. Oversaw plan to preserve 125 contiguous acres along Runnins River which was completed in 2010.
2009: Anne Jencks
Longtime supporter and advocate for the preservation of open space, the importance of vernal pools, environmental education in schools, and the dangers of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
2008: Richard Wallace
Chairman of Seekonk Conservation Commission and tireless preserver of open space in Seekonk.
2007: Angela Cunard
AP Biology teacher at Seekonk High School. Led students in an ongoing study of water quality of the Runnins River and Burrs Pond at the Martin Wildlife Refuge.
2006: Dave Sweet
Local arborist, American tree expert, and lover of nature. Volunteered his services wherever he saw a need.
2005: Bernadette DeBlander
Seekonk Conservation Agent. Identified prospective conservation land, led clean up of Allen Avenue property, and wrote grants creating environmental education experiences for public school students in town.