Please join us in welcoming Dave Ebitson as the Trust’s new president.
Dave has been active in the Land and Trails committee for the last several years. As a former Corporate Director for Global Product Support, Dave has added additional organizational skills to the Trust. He created a database to track and monitor the condition of our seventy-five miles of trails, eighty-one structures, trail signage, conservation restrictions and also updated the Trust’s brochure. You will often find Dave working alongside our dedicated trail stewards maintaining trails. Photo, below, by Bill Harman shows a recent trail steward crew. Dave is at the far left.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to past president Ron Gemma who will continue with us as Vice President.
Read more about Dave in his own words: “Our family moved to a quiet area in Westford in 1978 next to the O’Brien Farm. The Police Log usually contained one note concerning cows loose on Carlisle Road. It was an ideal place to raise children and enjoy the country life. I coached a soccer team on Saturday and taught Sunday school classes. I even assisted leading a Scout troop and earned my Klondike Badge for camping in ten degree weather in January.
Like many of us I was traveling for most of my working years. I failed to notice that things were beginning to change in this quaint country setting. Fortunately, a group of conservationists led by Richard Emmet, Tom Paul, Bill Harman and others had the foresight to see the changes taking place in our town. The Westford Conservation Trust was formed in 1984 to begin preserving the trails and land that many residents often took for granted.
Upon retiring a few years ago, I had the good fortune to meet two members of the Westford Conservation Trust at a neighborhood gathering and mentioned to them I had just retired. Steve Smith and Bob Shaw described how they keep busy while enjoying plenty of fresh air, exercise, and stimulating conversation while protecting the woodland and trails in Westford. Showing up at the trail head the next week, I met the most amazing dedicated group of people I have ever worked with. I am grateful for this opportunity to volunteer alongside such a diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds.
If you are sitting on the couch in need of fresh air, exercise and conversation, join the Westford Conservation Trust, you will be glad you did.”
