Gail Ballard Hall, principal broker of Ballard Hall Real Estate, has been honored with the 2015 Bayberry Wreath Award. Presented by The Block Island Times, the honor recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of land conservation on Block Island.
What is it about Block Island that made you choose to live and do business there?
Block Island offers a natural beauty and sense of timelessness that was and is still very appealing to me. I moved here because I was so in love with what Block Island felt like to me. As a 22-year-old trying to figure out what to do in life I decided to pick [where] I would establish [a] life and find work to sustain that goal.
What led you to become involved with The Block Island Conservancy and later The Nature Conservancy and their conservation efforts on Block Island?
I started giving monetarily to Block Island Conservancy because I was so impressed with what they had accomplished and eager to become involved. It is the local grassroots organization and the only one, at the time, that offered involvement beyond making donations, and when asked to serve as a director I was honored. After eight years, The Nature Conservancy asked if I would be interested in serving as a trustee on the R.I. chapter and I readily said yes. I see it as another step in broadening my learning experience.
Why is land conservation important to you personally?
I am an active person who loves the outdoors, and if we want to see what we see today, measures have to be taken to ensure that natural outdoor habitats remain and continue to thrive. It is of utmost importance to maintain the balance between commerce and nature everywhere.
What influenced your decision to go into real estate?
I had taken a course in college to fill semester credits and found that it was of interest but did not actually plan to pursue it until I moved to Block Island. It was one of the options for a year-round job but the attraction was that I could be outdoors a lot and also at a desk utilizing some of that college education. It seemed like a perfect fit at the time and continues to feel that way. •
