Early Conservation Career Network

The Early Conservation Career Network (ECCN) (formerly Young Land Professionals) is an interest group of MLTC. ECCN was formed in 2017 to provide networking and training opportunities for those in their first 10 years of a career in land conservation. Currently, ECCN has over 150 members from a wide range of land trusts and state agencies. An organizing committee works to move initiatives forward.

We hope you'll join ECCN! You’ll be added to our email list where you’ll receive information about upcoming events and opportunities. Please email admin@massland.org to sign up.

Organizing Committee Members:
Mariah Fogg (bio), Land Trust Alliance, ECCN President  ~  Olivia Barksdale, Town of Acton (bio), ECCN Vice President  ~  Thomas Patti, Wildlands Trust (bio), ECCN Communications Coordinator ~  Alex Bates, Town of Eastham  ~  Robin Beckham (nee Austin), Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (bio)  ~  Mary Doucette, Buzzards Bay Coalition (bio)  ~  Julia Fitzpatrick, Greenbelt (bio)  ~  Jane Maloney, Sudbury Valley Trustees (bio)  ~  Johnny Robinson, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (bio)

Mentorship Opportunity for Mentees and Mentors

The ECCN mentorship program aims to foster opportunities for professional development and network-building in the Massachusetts land conservation field through regular, structured meetings between new and experienced professionals. The program was revamped in Fall 2024, when 5-7 mentor-mentee pairs were matched based on interest areas, mentorship needs, location, and other factors. 

2025/2026 program
Guidelines
Application deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025
Mentee application
Mentor application
For questions, contact Olivia Barksdale or Thomas Patti.

Upcoming Events

  • Sep18

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    ECCN Lunch & Learn: Using GIS to Identify and Prioritize Land Protection Projects

    via Zoom. Link to be sent to registrants.

    Abby Hardy-Moss (Vice President of Stewardship, Planning, and Technology) and Becca Smalley (GIS Specialist) from the Essex County Greenbelt Association will help us learn about various data layers that can be used to help identify parcels of interest and gain a better understanding of their conservation values. An overview of Greenbelt’s Conservation Prioritization GIS analysis project will be provided including a case study of how Greenbelt uses the prioritization to identify and prioritize potential land protection projects. This event is being hosted by the Early Career Conservation Network, an interest group of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition whose mission is to provide networking and training opportunities for those in their first 10 years of a career in land conservation. Zoom link will be provided in the registration confirmation email.

    Register

  • Sep18

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    ECCN Spadefoot Toad Monitoring Night with Mass Audubon

    Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, East Falmouth Ashumet Road, East Falmouth

    Join ECCN and Ian Ives and Jay Cordeiro of Mass Audubon’s Spadefoot Toad Conservation Project for an evening of amphibious adventure at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary in East Falmouth! Since 2011, Mass Audubon and its partners have translocated thousands of young spadefoot toads to restored breeding pools at Ashumet Holly from a healthy population in Barnstable. Come watch and listen for these warty wonders and get your questions answered.

    Optional: Arrive at 6:30 pm with your own dinner. We'll be eating at the site about 20–30 minutes before the tour begins.

    Learn more & register

  • Oct16

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    ECCN: Fall Foliage Hike in the Berkshires

    Basin Pond Reserve, Lee MA Meeting place provided to registrants

    Join the Early Conservation Career Network for a casual hike among the beautiful fall colors that bring thousands of tourists to the Berkshires every year. We'll start by meeting in downtown Lee and eating our meals (sandwiches or salads from Loeb's Foodtown) at the nearby park. Then, we'll head to Basin Pond Reserve, owned by Berkshire Natural Resources Council, for a hike around its 2.5-mile loop trail through boulder fields and under beautiful mixed forest canopy. A viewing platform offers a scenic vista of the pond, beaver lodges and dams, and a historic (human-made) dam.

    Register

We're planning more outings and events - stay tuned!

View Previous ECCN Events >>