Our Mission & Challenges
The mission statement of The Trustees of Reservations is to "preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts." We have played an important role in coastal conservation in our past and continue to do so today. Our coast holds some of our most iconic and popular properties including beaches, islands, 2,300 acres of salt marsh, rocky coasts, dunes–all landscapes that can change with winds, tides, currents and storms, and our changing climate.
Coastal systems are of extraordinary ecological value and home to some of New England’s rarest habitats and species. Today the accelerating potential for storms, sea level rise, flooding and erosion can impact the preservation and enjoyment of these special places. A climate vulnerability assessment done in partnership with Woods Hole Group will help guide our path forward. Together with visitors, volunteers, communities and partners, we can better care for and protect the coast–to be more resilient, to remain open and accessible to the public, and to keep fragile ecosystems thriving–for all to enjoy.
“At its core, The Trustees’ coastal strategy is about bringing a real focus in protecting and caring for the coast and engaging people and communities in the discovery, care and enjoyment of these exceptional coastal places.”