Orenda Welcomes Tom Hoppensteadt, Land Steward & Terrapin Protection Program Coordinator!

Tom grew up on Cape Cod with a lifelong passion for the natural world. He earned a B.A. in Zoology with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Montana and spent more than 16 years working in wildlife conservation, focusing on habitat protection, environmental law enforcement, and applied land management. In Washington State, he collaborated across tribal, federal, state, and private lands on major conservation initiatives, including the Timber, Fish and Wildlife Agreement, advancing habitat protections within managed forest landscapes. After returning to Cape Cod, Tom taught environmental science, ecology, and biology at Mashpee High School, earning an M.A. in Teaching Biology from Bridgewater State University. Known for his hands-on, field-based approach, he also supported local conservation efforts, including Diamondback Terrapin head-starting for the Town of Barnstable. He now brings his field expertise and collaborative conservation experience to Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, where he is dedicated to protecting local ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

Please join us in welcoming Tom to the Orenda family!