By Anne Mazar

Isabella Genova, Mendon Conservation Agent, is the 2026 recipient of the Conservation Administrator of the Year Award given by of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. This distinguished award is given annually to a person who has worked hard to protect Massachusetts’ natural environment.

Genova is a 2023 graduate of the University of Vermont where she majored in environmental science, with a concentration in water resources, and a minor in geospatial information systems. She started working in Mendon in 2023.

 “I am delighted to receive the award. I am proud to serve the residents of Mendon and to have the opportunity to start my career in my hometown,” Genova said. I hope to continue protecting Mendon’s natural resources so that future generations will have the same adventures I had, including playing in the woods and digging for salamanders in my backyard. I am grateful for the town staff and volunteers in Mendon who continue to support me in this position.”  

Lea Botta-Whiting, a Mendon Conservation Commission member, submitted the application for the award.

“Being a conservation agent, you get hit from all sides from engineers, applicants, commissioners, DEP, town officials etc. … you need to be able to juggle all of the dynamic angles and find solutions that all can agree on. Isabella does a great job at handling all of this.”

The award will be presented Feb. 28 during a ceremony at the MACC Conference at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.