Welcome to the Swampscott Conservancy! Together we strive to both protect and admire, to enjoy and advocate for the natural wonder of our beloved, coastal community. Join us in discovering the diverse flora and fauna, and the tranquil, picturesque scenery in which the extensive and sometimes quirky catalog of our town’s species lives and thrives.
The mission of The Swampscott Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018, is as follows:
“To protect and enhance Swampscott’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public by: increasing awareness of, and ensuring access to, the Town of Swampscott’s public natural open spaces; collaborating with Town of Swampscott committees, boards, commissions, departments, and non-profit entities, in maintaining and improving public natural areas; engaging in educational activities including events and campaigns to increase public awareness and appreciation of natural open space; to act as an advocate and spokesperson for open space preservation.”
Organizational Structure & Leadership
Not to be confused with the Swampscott Conservation Commission (which is a town committee whose primary function is to enforce the State’s Wetlands Act), The Swampscott Conservancy is a conscientious group of interested volunteers who share a similar enthusiasm for our town’s beautiful trails, its open spaces and extensive biodiversity. The independently created Swampscott Conservancy, while working both hand-in-hand and in parallel with the Town Hall, is governed by a Board of Directors that are elected for a one-year term at the Conservancy’s annual Members Meeting in the spring. The Board is composed of area residents of varying backgrounds and is augmented by members and volunteers with additional skills and interests.
Whereas Swampscott, like any other thickly settled suburb, may not have abundant swaths of open, green space, it does have plenty of gems, both well-known and hidden – such as the Harold A. King Forest, with its 47 acres of undeveloped land, replete with natural flora and fauna and made navigable by a paint-blazed hiking trail that loops through the dense forest. In addition to promoting education and engaging in preservation efforts, another key goal of the Conservancy is to increase awareness of places such as the King Forest, outdoor properties and easements that are not only natural and open but are also accessible to the public — places that the Conservancy duly recognizes as “Special Places.”
In acting as stewards for Swampscott’s existing conservation land (which, in addition to the King Forest mentioned above, includes many other Special Places, such as Charles M. Ewing Woods, both Palmer and Muskrat Ponds, Beach Bluff Park, and several others), as well as its green spaces in general, members of the Conservancy intend to work in tandem with various Town departments, commissions, and committees, as well as with other partners, such as the local Scouts and youth-based groups, schools, and programs of the like.
The Swampscott Conservancy Board & Member Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors and enrolled members are held monthly. Notice of the date of a given meeting is provided in advance via this website, under Upcoming Events, or the Conservancy’s Facebook page, as well as through our mailing list and various other media outlets. The meetings are normally held at the Swampscott Senior Center, which is located behind the High School, and they usually start at 7:00 pm. Remember, all are invited to attend — come and see what we’re all about!
An Annual meeting of the members is held in the Spring for election of the Board of Directors and Officers and for discussions on topics of interest.
Current Directors (and Officers):
- Tonia Bandrowicz (President)
- Sierra Munoz (Vice-President)
- Erica Oberlin (Clerk)
- Sami Lawler (Treasurer)
- Rich Frenkel
- Suzanna Hale
- Colleen Hitchcock
- Sheryl Levenson
- Jim Olivetti
- Richard Simmons
Contact Us: Anyone interested in becoming a member, volunteering, or sharing ideas, should feel free to contact the Conservancy; either by sending an email to info@swampscottconservancy.org, or by mailing a letter to The Swampscott Conservancy at 432 Humphrey Street, Apt.8, Swampscott, MA 01907.
