During what members described as a “perfect night,” the Wareham Land Trust held its annual meeting on a sunset cruise aboard the Viking,  a Cape Cod Canal Cruise.

The meeting lasted approximately 15 minutes with an introduction by president Kevin Bartsch, but the content of it was worth celebrating.

With new members coming in constantly and future project prospects looking bright, Bartsch congratulated all of the volunteers that made the year’s successes possible.

“Every year, we meet on this cruise to give you an opportunity to interact with the board,” said Bartsch. “This was a great year.”

Bartsch listed a number of events and projects the Land Trust put together in the past year including the Native Land Conservancy, a photography contest, a photography workshop, and the Itty Bitty Explorers program.

For MASSLift/AmeriCorps employees, Tanya Creamer and Kari Amick, their year  of service ended with the cruise. They reflected on their time with the Land Trust over the past year.

“I don’t think anything can compare to this year and how highly successful our programs were,” said Creamer.

Creamer and Amick hosted programs with children in school programs, along with the Itty Bitty Explorers. Throughout the year, they said they’ve gotten to know Wareham well. Both will head into youth education and will be replaced by two new MASSLift members.

The Land Trust currently has its hands in a few projects, including the conservation of 54 acres of land in West Wareham. Bartsch said that’s how things have to be done.

“Put nine out of ten irons in the fire and hope that one of them comes out,” he said.

Since the Land Trust was established 15 years ago, it has secured 31 properties totaling 600 acres of land and 360 members signed up. According to member Kathy Pappalardo, membership has been “growing and growing and growing.”

“More people are aware: clean water, clean air, and getting people outside,” she said.

The members enjoyed all three aboard the cruise which ventured down to the Sagamore Bridge and back into Onset Harbor just as the sun set.