Robin Bates-Mason Hired as Executive Director of the New Canaan Land Trust

One of New Canaan’s most venerable nonprofit organizations has hired a highly respected town resident with a broad range of work and community volunteer experience as its new executive director.

Robin Bates-Mason

Robin Bates-Mason will assume the position of director of the New Canaan Land Trust in mid-June, according to a press release issued by the organization.

“Robin brings to the role a deep commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship, along with experience in nonprofit leadership,” the press release said. “A 25 year resident of New Canaan, along with her husband Carl and two sons, Robin is well known for her service on local boards and initiatives that promote sustainability and civic involvement.”

Summer Soiree for Staying Put in New Canaan. L-R: Susie Catlin, Ross Catlin, Maureen Munro, Robin Bates-Mason

She is co-founder and president of Planet New Canaan and past co-president and board member of the New Canaan Beautification League who served one term on the Town Council from 2019 to 2023 and currently serves as chair of the Conservation Commission. Bates-Mason also works as volunteer and events manager for Staying Put in New Canaan, from which she will “thoughtfully transition” in these intervening weeks, the press release said

Members of the Pollination Pathway Group hold the future plaque of the Cam Hutchins Pollinator Garden. L-R: Sarah Herring, Jill Ernst, Victor Lopez, Alice Wyman, Bill Flynn, Tiger Mann, Brian Cucchiara, Elle Smith, Chris Schipper, Meg Hely Walsh and Robin Bates-Mason. Photo by Natalie Lopez

“I’m honored to join the New Canaan Land Trust and am excited to build on the strong foundation that’s been laid by past leaders, volunteers, and supporters,” Bates-Mason said in the release. “Our open spaces are essential to the health and character of our community, and I look forward to working with residents and partners to preserve and protect them for generations to come.”

Bates-Mason has been involved in several “green” initiatives in New Canaan through her various roles.

L-R: Anda Hutchins, Robin Bates-Mason, Lauren Bromberg and Jen Cipriano of Copia. Contributed

“She was instrumental in coordinating organizations to work together to build Pollinator Pathways all through town and successfully worked with the town and the Land Trust to oversee the Bristow Bird Sanctuary’s Centennial Celebration this past September,” the release said. “In addition to serving as a team leader on New Canaan Sustainable, she successfully worked with the Chamber of Commerce to pass a plastic bag ordinance in New Canaan.”

L-R: 2021 photo of Town Councilmen Tom Butterworth, Maria Naughton, Robin Bates-Mason, Rita Bettino, Kimberly Norton, Penny Young, Steve Karl, Mark Grzymski, Luke Kaufman, Cristina A. Ross and Hilary Ormond. Contributed

With fellow Planet New Canaan co-founders Margot Bright and Katie Owsley, Bates-Mason helped oversee the launch of the popular Swap Shop at the Transfer Station, as well as pumpkin diversion, composting and Christmas tree recycling programs, among others.

Rob Fryer, president of the NCLT board of directors, said in the press release that he’s worked with Bates-Mason on several initiatives and is “thrilled” to welcome her as the Land Trust’s fourth director.

L-R: Chris Schipper, Margot Bright and Robin Bates-Mason inside the New Canaan Swap Shop on Jan. 11, 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan

“Her passion for land conservation and protecting the environment as well as her proven ability to connect with the community make her the ideal leader to guide the organization into its next chapter,” Fryer said.

She succeeds John Winter in the role. Under his leadership, the Land Trust “successfully received re-accreditation by the national Land Trust Alliance, formed an Advisory Council and acquired a new headquarters – the Grupes House, located at 1124 Valley Road, uniting it with the Browne Preserve,” the press release said. “John’s unwavering commitment to preserving open space and promoting conservation practices has served our community well and created a strong foundation for the new era ahead.”

The Land Trust, founded in 1967, stewards more than 400 acres of protected land and offers public access to nature trails, educational programming and conservation partnerships.