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Dear Greenbelt friends,
I’m writing to share the news that Kate Bowditch, Greenbelt’s President since 2018, will be retiring later this year. While we’re sorry to say goodbye to Kate, who has been a transformative leader during her tenure, we’re thrilled to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to name Chris LaPointe, Greenbelt’s Vice President of Conservation Operations, as her successor.
Kate is leaving Greenbelt in a strong position to move forward under Chris’s leadership, and the Board and staff are excited about the organization’s future. We thank and celebrate Kate for her strong leadership and many accomplishments over the past six years. As President, she has played a critical role in expanding Greenbelt’s mission across the county, raising the organization’s profile and deepening community connections at the same time. Kate’s collaborative approach and strong commitment to working in partnership with others has helped Greenbelt engage with new communities and expand our conservation role.
Some key milestones deserve notice. Under Kate’s leadership, Greenbelt completed 160 conservation projects, protecting more than 4,000 acres of land across Essex County; raised $30M for land conservation; hosted more than 185 events involving thousands of attendees; and built highly successful corporate and volunteer programs. Throughout her time at Greenbelt, she took the time to get to know hundreds of friends and supporters, ensuring that the organization stays attuned to what people in the community care about.
One of Kate’s priorities as Greenbelt’s leader was to build and support an outstanding staff, and her success in this area is reflected in the Board’s unanimous and enthusiastic support for Chris LaPointe as the organization’s new President. Chris’s extensive land conservation experience, deep understanding of Essex County’s natural resources and diverse communities, longstanding commitment to Greenbelt’s mission, and strategic vision for its future ensure that the organization is in great hands as we move ahead.
Chris joined Greenbelt in 2015 to lead land conservation efforts, and during the past decade he and his team have protected 6,200 acres of land, representing 86 percent of all the land conserved in Essex County during this period. Chris’s focus on farmland conservation, and ensuring that local agriculture remains viable, has helped Greenbelt develop one of the region’s most innovative farm conservation programs.
Chris and his team have continued to use cutting-edge tools and approaches to conservation and stewardship, developing a robust land conservation prioritization program, building the popular GreenbeltGo mobile trails app, and integrating climate data and planning across Greenbelt’s programs. Chris’s personal commitment to supporting future conservation leaders has helped Greenbelt build a tremendously skilled team and train numerous young professionals who have moved into the field.
Chris and his family have lived in Essex County for more than 20 years. His love of the outdoors and deep commitment to supporting access to nature for everyone informs his work at Greenbelt every day. As our region grapples with the challenges of a changing climate, growing demand for housing and economic development, and increased needs for access to the outdoors for all communities, Greenbelt’s work has never been more important. The Board of Directors is thrilled to have Chris taking the helm as Greenbelt’s next leader. His skills and experience, and his vision for the future, inspire all of us.
Chris will step into the position of President on September 1, 2024. Working with Kate and Chris, the Board of Directors has developed a plan to ensure a smooth transition so that Greenbelt will not miss a beat moving forward.
Please join me in thanking Kate and wishing her well, and welcoming Chris as Greenbelt’s next leader.
Betsy Shields
Chair, Board of Directors
Essex County Greenbelt Association
82 Eastern Avenue
PO Box 1026
Essex, MA 01929
e. Contact by Email
p. 978.768.7241
Greenbelt thanks the photographers whose work is featured prominently on our website: Jerry Monkman, Dorothy Monnelly, Adrian Scholes, David Alden St. Pierre & Neil Ungerleider