Former MA Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Applauds Hale’s Conservation Effort at Fall Equinox Celebration

September 29, 2025

Hale Education hosted its annual Fall Equinox Celebration on September 25, featuring keynote speaker Ian Bowles, former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
 
Bowles, a Dover resident and nationally recognized leader in conservation and clean energy, praised Hale’s effort to place more than 1,100 acres under a permanent conservation restriction. Once finalized, it will become the largest privately owned CR on contiguous land in Greater Boston, protecting trails and natural spaces for generations to come.
 
“Massachusetts has an amazing history with conservation,” Bowles told the audience. “We were the first state to create the modern conservation restriction in 1969, and we’ve led the way on clean air, clean water, and renewable energy. What Hale is doing here with this CR builds on that tradition and it’s going to be the biggest privately owned CR in Greater Boston.”
 
Bowles reflected on the importance of local stewardship in the broader climate conversation, noting that Massachusetts’ progress on renewable energy and land protection shows how state and community action can complement one another.
 
He also noted that forests play a critical role in resilience as the climate changes, from protecting biodiversity to ensuring clean air and water. He highlighted the social and health benefits of access to open space, adding that protecting land close to home is essential for communities to thrive. “When you’re out in the woods and away from your phone, you’re reminded why these places matter. Conservation gives us clean air, stronger ecosystems, and a healthier society,” he said.
 
Hale’s Executive Director Aaron Morehouse explained that the conservation effort remains a central priority for the organization as it nears completion. “This CR will secure public access to the trails and natural spaces forever for the first time,” he said. “It’s the next step in fulfilling Hale’s mission.”
 
The evening brought together community members, supporters, and partners to celebrate Hale’s role in advancing outdoor learning, recreation, and environmental leadership.
 
More About Hale Education
 
Hale Education, Inc. is a private nonprofit widely recognized for its flagship camps, youth programs, family and community activities, school partnerships, and professional development opportunities. It serves several thousand children and families from 70 Greater Boston communities annually and invites visitors to enjoy its 1,200+ acres of forests, ponds, and meadows in Westwood and Dover, Massachusetts. Hale’s programs and land management practices are the legacy of its founder, Robert Sever Hale, who encouraged people to use his property in ways that were “charitable and benevolent in nature…to provide education which will develop intelligent, capable, and responsible citizens.”