Black History Month

Three Cantabridgians in Environmentalism – Past and Present

Published February 24, 2026

Robert Alexander Gilbert lived in Inman Square.

At a time when Black Americans were largely shut out of the sciences, he worked alongside William Brewster, the first president of Mass Audubon, in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Experts believe Gilbert took more than 2,000 photographs once credited to Brewster. His images helped document bird species and habitats across the region.

Read a Mass Audubon story about Gilbert here, and another by James Spencer of the Cambridge Black History project here.

Lyn Huckabee has worked for the state on energy policy and efficiency for 20 years.

She’s served on the Cambridge Climate Committee since 2011, and helped develop the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance, a City policy requiring large building owners to track and report their energy use – a step the state later adopted.

“What a privilege that we're able to do these really big swings to the fences and to prove the concept for Massachusetts, who is now implementing something at least similar to what Cambridge started,” she said. “That's amazing.”

Conrad Crawford has helped expand green spaces, protect watersheds, and shape a more sustainable and equitable region through roles in City of Cambridge initiatives, conservation groups, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, and as chair of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.

“We're fortunate – this is an aberration in Cambridge, in terms of civic capacity, and partnerships and residents. I feel honored and proud that I've been able to do this,” he said. “I love my job and what I do.”