Local Conservation Champions Receive Awards
at Barnstable Land Trust’s Annual Meeting
Five Active Land Projects and Two New Board Members were also highlighted
West Barnstable, MA – Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) highlighted a record-breaking five active land conservation projects, elected new board members, and recognized two local conservation champions at their Annual Meeting on July 15th held at the Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center, Cape Cod Community College. The Founders Award posthumously honored Gretchen Reilly of Cotuit and the President’s Award recognized Robert (Rob) Carey of Cummaquid. Robert (Bob) Deyo of Hyannis and Nancy Taylor of Harwich were elected to BLT’s Board of Directors.
“We are excited to recognize these outstanding individuals with our Founders and President’s awards,” says Janet Milkman, Barnstable Land Trust’s Executive Director. “Gretchen Reilly, who passed away in March 2025, was a passionate supporter of many Cape Cod nonprofit institutions including BLT. Over several decades, Gretchen made strategic gifts that gave our small organization the confidence and the resources to grow and expand, both in acres protected but also to help us engage with the wider community. And Rob Carey has been a tireless champion for BLT, serving in multiple roles on BLT’s board, most recently as Treasurer and Chair of the Land Protection Committee. Barnstable Land Trust is grateful for the leadership and support of people like Gretchen and Rob who have helped advance our conservation mission.
“We are also delighted to welcome two new members to our Board” Milkman continued. “Bob Deyo has been an active land steward volunteer since 2019 and taken on many leadership roles, and Nancy Taylor brings a wealth of financial expertise that will be vitally important as BLT navigates its next chapter of growth. Their leadership and insights will be invaluable as Barnstable Land Trust continues to preserve and protect the Cape’s natural assets.”
The Annual Meeting also highlighted five active land projects that BLT is actively working on: Highground Golf Course (Cotuit), Captain’s Woods (the Monteiro Property in Cotuit), Santuit Woodlands (Cotuit), Woodland Bog (W. Barnstable), and Mill Pond Preserve (Marstons Mills). Progress on the Twin Brooks Golf Course (Hyannis) and Wheeler Holly Preserve (Marstons Mills) was also showcased. Additional details about the individual projects can be found here.
Cape Cod 5 and Cape Cod Package Store sponsored the event, and Cape Cod Woodturners donated handcrafted gifts made from wood found on BLT properties to the Award winners. Annual meeting attendees had the option to tour the state-of-the-art STEM building at Cape Cod Community College.
BLT Executive Director Janet Milkman and Taylor Joyce accepting the Founders Award on behalf of her mother, Gretchen Reilly.
President’s Award Recipient and retiring Board Member Rob Carey with BLT President, Leigh Townes.
BLT’s Newest Board Members: Nancy Taylor and Robert Deyo
2025 Award Recipients
Gretchen Reilly
Founder’s Award: Gretchen Reilly (Cotuit) posthumously
Gretchen was a generous and long-term supporter of Barnstable Land Trust and other leading nonprofit groups on and off the Cape. In addition to supporting BLT as a member over many decades, Gretchen made milestone gifts by investing in signature initiatives including land acquisition projects, land stewardship resources, buildings (ex: BLT’s headquarters), and community outreach efforts (ex: the printing of BLT’s popular trail maps including one in Portuguese). She made an indelible impact, protecting our environment for current and future generations to enjoy.
Rob Carey and family with Executive Director, Janet Milkman.
President’s Award: Robert Carey (Cummaquid)
Over the past nine years, Rob has served in multiple roles on the Board of Barnstable Land Trust, most recently as Treasurer and Chair of the Land Protection Committee. He brought a pragmatic perspective to nonprofit budgeting while supporting the organization’s growth and commitment to its mission. His deep local knowledge and strong dealmaking skills have been valuable assets to the Land Protection Committee. A lifelong Cape Codder who loves exploring local natural treasures, Rob looks forward to spending more time with his young family.
New Directors
Robert Deyo (Hyannis) was the founder and president of Arbitrage Adjusting Services, Inc., with offices across New York and South Carolina. After selling his business and retiring in 2019, he joined BLT as a land steward volunteer which led to leadership positions on the Land Stewardship Committee.
Robert Deyo
Nancy Taylor (Harwich) joined Cape Cod 5’s Trust and Asset Management Team as a Senior Investment Officer in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in fixed income portfolio analysis, investment research and trading. Nancy also serves on Cape Symphony’s Board of Trustees and has been a member of BLT’s Finance Committee since 2024.
Nancy Taylor
More extensive bios can be found here.
Land project details can be found here.
Watch a recording of the Annual Meeting here.
####
Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected over 1,250 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. Recognized as a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy, BLT leverages its conservation expertise to inform local public decisions as they impact our ecosystems, community health, well-being, and quality of life. To learn more about the organization, see the full calendar of events, or to access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide – English and Portuguese versions, Cape Cod Pathways/Barnstable Trail Guide, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit http://www.BLT.org or call 508-771-2585.