Wightman Named Conservation Agent

CHATHAM – Having served in almost every role in the field of conservation, Paul Wightman is now officially taking over as Chatham’s Conservation Agent. The announcement was made by Town Manager Jill Goldsmith last week.

“I look forward to my new duties with enthusiasm, and to working with the many talented town employees, the conservation commission, engineers, environmental consultants, companies, and professionals that make working in Chatham a joy and a privilege,” Wightman said.

A longtime Brewster resident, Wightman spent six years as a park ranger at Nickerson State Park in Brewster, and was conservation agent, a natural resources officer and assistant shellfish warden in Dennis, and also worked as conservation director in Norwell. He is a licensed attorney with degrees in law, natural resource management and park administration and wildlife management. Wightman served many years on the Brewster Conservation Commission, and was one of the driving forces behind the town’s acquisition of the Punkhorn Parklands.

He was hired as Chatham’s conservation agent in late 2015 and worked several months before taking a position with the Orleans Natural Resources Department. There, he helped implement the habitat management plan that allowed Nauset Beach users and nesting shorebirds to coexist, which boosted productivity for piping plovers. Wightman returned to Chatham and served as assistant conservation agent and conservation lands manager, collaborating with Orleans to enhance Chatham’s shorebird monitoring program on North Beach.

Wightman has been acting conservation agent since last September, and is widely recognized for his dedication to the field of conservation. As conservation agent, he will support and inform the conservation commission, the decision-making body for applying state and local wetlands laws to protect the town's natural resources.

Greg Berman, Chatham’s new director of natural resources, said Wightman’s appointment is well-deserved.

“Paul has consistently demonstrated his outstanding dedication and has played a crucial role in maintaining our Conservation Division through multiple periods of transition,” Berman said.