Founders and President’s Awards go to Three Local Leaders
Barnstable Land Trust Celebrates 40th Anniversary at Annual Meeting
West Barnstable, MA – Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) recognized three local leaders at their Annual Meeting on July 11th held at the Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center, Cape Cod Community College. The Founders Award honored Cotuit resident Brendan Annett of the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the President’s Award recognized both John Miller of Mashpee and Beth Odence of Cotuit.
President’s Award Recipients John Miller and Beth Odence, and Founders Award Recipient Brendan Annett
“We were excited to recognize these outstanding individuals at our 40th Anniversary celebration and Annual Meeting of the Members,” says Janet Milkman, Barnstable Land Trust’s Executive Director. “Brendan has been a passionate steward and leader, protecting and preserving our region’s natural resources. John has been a tireless BLT champion over the years, serving in various board and committee positions including Chair. And Beth’s creative vision and perseverance were essential to the success of our renovated (BLT) Conservation Center and the Michael R. Kramer Center at Fuller Farm. Barnstable Land Trust is grateful for the leadership and support of people like Brendan, John, and Beth, who are essential to our conservation mission.”
Brendan Annett
John Miller
Beth Odence
Brendan Annett (Cotuit) is the Vice President of Watershed Protection at the Buzzard’s Bay Coalition. He came to Buzzards Bay Coalition after serving as the land stewardship director and then reserve director at the Waquoit Bay National Marine Estuary Reserve. A Cotuit resident, Brendan is a former BLT board member and currently serves on its Land Protection Committee. An active advocate for conservation on Cape Cod, each year he runs the convocation of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts and works with the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition on policy and legislative issues. He also serves as a mentor to many practitioners on the Cape and SouthCoast.
John Miller (Mashpee) is the founder and owner of J Miller, Pictureframer & Gallery in Mashpee, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. A Cape Cod resident for 50+ years and a committed volunteer, John has served on numerous nonprofit boards including as past chair of the Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation. John has also been a long-standing member of BLT’s Finance Committee and served as chair of Barnstable Land Trust when the organization was undergoing a period of significant transition, leadership change, and growth. In 2021 he was named Mashpee's Citizen of the Year, and currently serves as the Town Moderator in Mashpee.
Beth Odence (Cotuit) an experienced local businesswoman with strong marketing, fundraising, small business development and networking skills, including extensive experience in renovating historic properties and designing new construction. A seasoned volunteer leader on and off Cape, Beth spearheaded significant projects for Barnstable Land Trust including a role in the renovation of the BLT Office and Conservation Center and vision for the barn (the Michael R. Kramer Center) and agriculture at Fuller Farm. Her leadership on BLT’s Building and Grounds Committee, as well as her most recent role chairing the Development Committee, has been invaluable in helping to preserve and protect Barnstable’s natural resources.
At the meeting, three people were also elected to join Barnstable Land Trust’s Board of Directors including Michael Cohen (Cotuit), Lisa Drake (Mashpee), and Jill McCleary (Hyannis). Annual meeting attendees had the option to tour the state-of-the-art STEM building at Cape Cod Community College and heard a special proclamation read by Town Councilor Kris Clark declaring July 11, 2023, as “Barnstable Land Trust Day.” Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC, Cape Cod 5, and Cape Cod Package Store sponsored the milestone event.
New Board Members Jill McCleary, Michael Cohen and Lisa Drake
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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 1,100 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023, BLT is a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy. BLT also 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 BLT’s special 40th Anniversary events including the Hike Barnstable Challenge and the first-of-its-kind 2-day live Readathon of Thoreau’s Cape Cod( (October 7 & 8, 2023), BLT’s trailside poetry initiative Words in the Wild, or access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide - English and Portuguese, Cape Cod Pathways, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit http://www.BLT.org or call 508-771-2585.