About OLT


Frequently Asked Questions about Land Trusts: WHAT IS A LAND TRUST? A land trust is a nonprofit, voluntary organization that works hand-in-hand with landowners who want to protect their property. Land trusts use a variety of tools, such as conservation easements that permanently restrict the uses of the land, land donations, purchases and strategic estate planning, to protect America's open spaces and green places which are increasingly threatened by sprawl and development. Local, regional and national land trusts, often staffed by volunteers, are helping communities save America's land heritage without relying exclusively on the deep pockets of government.
WHAT KIND OF LAND DO THEY PROTECT? Land trusts protect open space of all kinds- wetlands, wildlife habitat, shorelines, forests, scenic views, farms, watersheds, historic and prehistoric sites, and recreational areas- land of every size and type that has cultural or ecological value. WHEN DID LAND TRUSTS START? The first land trust was founded more than 100 years ago in New England, the region that still boasts more than a third of the nation's land trusts. The first American conservation easement, which permanently limits development of land, was written in the late 1880's to protect parkways in and around Boston. There are currently more than 1200 land trusts in America, 63% more than in 1988. Land trusts operate in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.		A Vernal Pool in Early Spring. Photo by J. Ohop
ARE LAND TRUSTS SUCCESSFUL? Absolutely. Local and regional land trusts have protected approximately 4.7 million acres of land with many forms of conservation value.
*Opacum Land Trust*	Formed in January 2000, Opacum Land Trust works to protect natural and cultural resources which include historic and prehistoric sites, fertile farmland, lush green forests, river corridors, wetlands and watersheds, vernal pools, scenic vistas and endangered animals and plants in Southwest Worcester and Southeast Hampden Counties. For more information, please contact us at 508 347-9144 or e-mail. Thank you for your support!

What is an Opacum? Aside from an "Opacum" meaning a supporter of Opacum Land Trust, the word "opacum" comes from the scientific name for the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species listed as threatened Massachusetts. Reasons for this species being listed include fragmentation and destruction of habitat, pollution and acid rain. There are 70 recorded observations of individual marbled salamanders within the state, and only 38 known breeding sites (A Field Guide to Vernal Pools, by Leo Kenney and Matt Burne, 2001).
Marbled salamanders are members of the mole salamander family, which also includes the more familiar yellow spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. These species are both fossorial, meaning they spend most of their lives burrowed under roots and leaf litter in the upland forest.		Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum
Unlike the spring breeding spotted salamanders, these 3" - 5" long creatures migrate to vernal pools in early autumn to lay their eggs (which is why we use autumn leaves on our website year-round). The females dig a nest and remain with their eggs until the pool fills and the eggs hatch. Marbled salamander larvae are the only salamander larvae that can be found under the ice covered pools in winter. In early spring, those larvae that made it through the lean winter months will have grown to an inch in size, giving them a head start when the pools come alive with the arrival of wood frogs, spotted salamanders and a host of other creatures that are dependent upon these temporary ponds for survival. If you would like to learn more about vernal pools, please visit www.vernalpool.org

Jennifer Ohop Holland, MA Vice President, Clerk Director, Webmaster Click on the Opacum to e-mail	Volunteer Vice President and Director, Opacum Land Trust Staff Naturalist, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, Monson, MA 1998-present. Duties include natural history programs for adults & children; GIS mapping; Environmental research, data collection & monitoring. Bachelor's Degree in Biology, summa cum laude Framingham State College, Framingham MA Born and raised in Sturbridge, MA. Volunteer experience includes Moose & Wolves Earthwatch Project, Isle Royale National Park; Yellowstone Wolf Project; Mass Audubon Christmas Bird Count; Keeping Track. Interests include birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large predators.
Jennifer V. Morrison Sturbridge, MA Treasurer & Director Click on the Opacum to e-mail	Volunteer Treasurer and Director, Opacum Land Trust President & Director of Operations of Sterling Engineering; responsibilities include finance and accounting, contract negotiation, risk management, client development, personnel, strategic planning and IT Member of the Sturbridge Planning Board B.A. Liberal Arts, Cum Laude; Double Major in Psychology-Based Human Relations and Religious Studies; Connecticut College, New London CT Volunteer Class Agent & Alumni Council, Worcester Academy, Worcester MA
Alan F. Smith Worcester, MA Director Chair, nominating committee Click on the Opacum to e-mail	Volunteer Director, Opacum Land Trust Bachelor's Degree: Geology, Clark University, Worcester, MA Archaeologist, Naturalist Has volunteered for environmental causes for over 30 years; on-call with Tri-State Bird in Newark, which rescues and treats birds & other wildlife endangered by oil spills. Chair, Northern Worcester Resource Preservation Society; Trustee w/MA Archaeological Society; has received numerous environmental awards over the years.
George Miller East Brookfield, MA Director Click on the Opacum to e-mail	Volunteer, Director, Opacum Land Trust Chairman, East Brookfield Bylaw Review Committee since 2000 Chairman and founder of the East Brookfield Master Plan Committee East Brookfield Planning Board since 2003 Active in conservation land purchases, vernal pool and rare species certification, and promotion of large landowner conservation efforts within East Brookfield Active member of the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, Trustees of Reservations, Rails to Trails, and Appalachian Mountain Club 20 year marketing executive with extensive expertise in direct marketing, CRM and product management
Leslie A. Duthie Monson, MA Director Click on the Opacum to e-mail	Volunteer director, Opacum Land Trust. Staff Horticulturalist at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary for over 25 years. Duties include propagation of a variety of native plant species, field ID, adult programs and maintenance of habitat gardens. Chair, Town of Monson Conservation Commission Volunteer for New England Plant Conservation Program. Active in conservation land purchases, member of the Community Preservation Committee, and promotion of conservation efforts within Monson. Covert Forestry Program cooperator All around mom.