ESSEX — Dave Rimmer can tell you just about all there is to know about ospreys. As director of stewardship and founder of Essex County Greenbelt’s osprey program, Rimmer has spent decades making wildlife and land conservation his mission.
After almost 25 years of leadership, Rimmer will be taking a step back from his role at Greenbelt when he retires at the end of the month. To the delight of co-workers, Rimmer has agreed to stay on part time as osprey program director, which has been a labor of love for him since 2008.
“Dave’s legacy here at Greenbelt is all about relationships – he has been a huge part of creating the culture of this organization, and he has been the consummate problem-solver, connector, and facilitator on so many issues across the county,” said Greenbelt President Chris LaPointe. “Dave has always led with a people-first approach – caring for the network of partners, landowners and collaborators that we work with constantly.”
Rimmer has spent his entire career working for land trusts and dedicating himself to conservation efforts. Growing up in Groton, he spent most of his time outdoors; as a teen, he joined his brother in birdwatching activities. While working for the Trustees of Reservations in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, Rimmer saw firsthand the impact of humans on beach sand, deer and piping plovers.
Joining Greenbelt in 2001, Rimmer did day-to-day property management as well as long-term stewardship planning. He played a leading role in Greenbelt’s most significant conservation and property enhancement initiatives, and has been instrumental in the expansion of its headquarters. Rimmer became a cornerstone of the Greenbelt community with an approach that supported both public access and the protection of public resources.
J.R. Colby of Colby Farm in Newbury has worked with Rimmer for more than 20 years and describes him as a skilled and knowledgeable bird man who understands how to communicate with farmers through open dialogue and the shared mission of continuing to support agriculture and open spaces while protecting wildlife.
“Dave is easy to talk to; he’s just a good guy. I’m sad to see him go, but he’s cultivated a good crew of people who all have good intentions,” Colby said.
Bobolinks nest in Colby’s hay fields, and Rimmer and Colby have worked together to ensure that the birds are able to fledge their young before Colby hays the fields.
Rimmer experienced what he calls a “signature moment” about 2007 when he was fishing on Chase Island near the bridge to Plum Island. He spied an osprey perched on a rickety duck blind. As he watched the platform fall and the nest disintegrate, he realized that the eggs or chicks would not survive.
“The proverbial lightbulb went off in my head,” Rimmer said.
On his own, Rimmer built a platform for the osprey, never thinking his efforts would evolve into a full-fledged program with a team of five people working to increase the osprey population.
The osprey program grew from that first platform to around 75. Now, 30 to 40 volunteers watch the nests and report back to Greenbelt about the activity on the sites. Greenbelt has 91 pairs of nesting osprey, with the bulk of them at the Great Marsh. The osprey population has grown dramatically since the inception of the program.
“I love birds, and the osprey are so compelling because they nest out in the open along the water where we can see them,” Rimmer said.
The birds always nest in pairs, they mate for life, and they return to the same nest once a pair has been established. Ospreys, also known as “fish hawk” due to their diet, are one of the most widely distributed raptors in the world, and are found breeding on every continent except Antarctica. As part of the program Rimmer founded, volunteers have collected research data and submitted more than 2,000 reports to date.
Rimmer says he’ll miss his “talented, dynamic” co-workers but is thrilled to know he will see them as he continues his work running the osprey program.
“I’m most proud of how the Greenbelt organization has grown and matured during my tenure. It’s gratifying to see the success of the work we’re doing.”
Greenbelt conserves farmland, wildlife habitats and scenic landscapes throughout Essex County, ensuring free access to nature for all. For more information about Rimmer and Greenbelt, visit www.ecga.org.