Happy Valentine's Day!

"Thanks for LOVING nature." -Conservation George

Here's the scoop on Conservation George:

-2ft tall

-orange eyes

-enjoys long walks on Wildlands Trust protected properties

Conservation George is an ambassador to Wildlands Trust -- helping us spread the conservation message one photo at a time.  For years he's been passed around our office, often collecting dust and feeling somewhat neglected.  But recently George has been on the go... he's visited local farmers markets, numerous Wildlands Trust protected properties, and even took a bus to NYC to visit Central Park (America's first major urban park)!

Some may ask WHY Conservation George does this and the answer is quite simple: he LOVES NATURE!  Today he was photographed outside our office in Duxbury, MA by a fence with beautiful heart-shaped metal work.  We've been watching the snow creep up and down this fence all winter.  At one point (before this recent melting), the hearts were completely buried!  It sure has been a snowy winter and we'd like to invite you to join us this Friday night and/or Saturday morning to enjoy what may be the last of winter!  These special events could be perfect outings for you and your Valentine:

On Friday night we will be leading a 2 mi guided Snow Moon Walk at our Willow Brook and Fleetwood Farm Preserves in Pembroke, MA.  And on Saturday morning we will be leading a Snowshoe Walk at the Great River Preserve in Bridgewater, MA.  Eastern Mountain Sports will be bringing snowshoes. So, if you don't have your own pair - this is an opportunity to test some out for FREE!  Click on the hyperlinks to learn more about each of the events.  Conservation George will likely be at both of them!  If you haven't met him yet, these could be your lucky chances!  

Please don't hesitate to contact our Community Outreach Coordinator at skugel@wildlandstrust.org if you have any questions & Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Wildlands Trust! <3

by Sarah Kugel, Community Outreach Coordinator, skugel@wildlandstrust.org

Save the Date!

Writing, Revising and Implementing Your Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP)


Sponsored by:

Ask all of your OSRP questions at this FREE workshop 

with Melissa Cryan, Division of Conservation Services, EOEEA

March 16, 2011, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Middleborough Town Hall

10 Nickerson Avenue, Middleborough, MA

Agenda:

1:00-1:15: Welcome and Introductions
1:15-1:45: Open Space and Recreation Plans and the Planning Process (a presentation by Melissa Cryan)
1:45-2:30: Q&A and Discussion with Melissa Cryan. Topics will include: ADA Reporting, Section 5 of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, Mapping/GIS, Goals and Objectives- Making plans practical and realistic
2:30-2:40: Break (Refreshments will be provided)
2:40-3:30: Open Space and Recreation Plan Implementation and Funding Sources. Topics will include: the Community Preservation Act, available state grants and other funding sources, plus case studies from local communities on advancing their Open Space and Recreation Plans
3:30-3:50: Moderated Discussion of Regional Open Space Planning (time permitting)
3:50-4:00: Wrap-up / Feedback / Next steps

There is no charge for the event. Please RSVP so that we can plan for handouts and refreshments: bnap@srpedd.org / (508) 824-1367/1368

Sundays are for Farmers Markets!

Photo: Live music at the Attleboro Farms Winter Market

The weekend is almost here again!  Time to relax, recreate, watch the Superbowl... and to stop by the Winter Market at Attleboro Farms!  The market, located at 491 Hickory Road in North Attleborough, MA runs from 12 noon - 4pm every Sunday through May 29th.  It features products ranging from New England seafood chowda to home-made pickles, VT cheeses and a variety of artisan products (soaps, yarn, birch beer!).

Wildlands Trust will be set up at the market giving away free Wildlands Trust memberships, t-shirts, and stickers!  We'll also have an educational display consisting of different birds' nests, a build-your-own bird's nest activity for kids, and information on agricultural preservation and community gardening.  Children and adults are invited to join us around the wood stove at 2 or 3pm when we'll read one of our favorite stories called "Pumpkins".

There will be live music throughout the afternoon!  Hope to see you there!  Kick-off isn't until 6:30pm...

Snow Moon Walk

Photo: Giant "Moon-sized" Snowball at Willowbrook Farm Preserve

Ever heard of a Full Snow Moon?  Native American tribes referred to the February full moon as the Full Snow Moon since the heaviest snowfall usually accumulated that time of year.  Join the Wildlands Trust staff and AmeriCorps volunteers for a guided Snow Moon Walk on Feb. 18th at 8pm.  Guided by moonlight (+ headlamps, lanterns, and flashlights) we'll walk a 2 mile loop at the Willow Brook and Fleetwood Farm Preserves located in Pembroke, Ma.


Plan to meet at the preserve parking area just off Rt.14 at 7:45pm and we'll begin the walk at 8pm.  Overflow parking will be available just down the street - we will direct you there and provide a quick shuttle service back to the main parking area and trail entrance.  This event is a totally FREE and open to both members and non-members!  Please rsvp to skugel@wildlandstrust.org.  There is space for 25 participants and we hope that you will join us!

The following apparel/supplies will make your walk safe & enjoyable:

-Waterproof boots, gaitors and/or snowpants

-Multiple clothing layers (remember that nights are much cooler)

-Warm mittens/gloves and a hat

-Flashlight, lantern, or headlamp

-Water and a snack

Optional supplies: Snowshoes, hiking poles, camera, binoculars, a small fanny or day pack to carry your supplies.

Friday Morning Walking Series

Photo: Sarah Kugel, WLT Community Outreach Coordinator, MassLIFT AmeriCorps volunteer,
posing at the Willow Brook and Fleetwood Farms Preserve kiosk

For those of you eager to hit the trails, we'll be hosting the first of our Friday Morning Walking Series this Friday, Feb. 4th!  The walk is FREE and will be held at the Willow Brook and Fleetwood Farms Preserve in Pembroke, MA.  Meet at the parking area off Rt. 14 at 9:15am.  We'll head into the woods for a 1.5 to 2 mile walk at 9:30am and will be back to the parking area by 11am.  With all this fresh snow, and more in the forecast we suggest you bring your snowshoes, cross country skis, or tall waterproof boots, gaitors and/or snowpants!

The event is intended to be family friendly, so all are encouraged to attend!  RSVP to skugel@wildlandstrust.org.  Check our Facebook Page or Twitter account to receive notice of a cancellation due to icy roads or trails. We'll reschedule if that's the case!

The new Friday Morning Walking Series will be ongoing, on various Fridays throughout the year, and will be held at different WLT properties throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.


by Sarah Kugel, Community Outreach Coordinator, email: skugel@wildlandstrust.org

BYOSnowshoes

Photo: Allison Gillum, WLT Regional Conservationist, MassLift AmeriCorps volunteer

Living in Southeastern Massachusetts, most of us have learned that we must embrace winter.  With that said, we are excited to announce our first ever organized snowshoeing event.  We have partnered with the Plymouth Eastern Mountain Sports for a 3 hour event on Feb. 19th from 10am to 1pm.  We will learn about winter travel from the EMS staff, covering important topics such as traction, hydration, trail snacking (with samples of course!!), what to pack in your day pack, and what to do in emergency situations.  Then we'll set off for a brisk 1.5 mile hike through the Great River Preserve at Conihasset, just off Auburn Street in Bridgewater, MA.  The hike will follow along the edge of a scenic field, the Taunton River, and through the snow covered woods.  View a Google map of the snowshoeing site here!  And watch this video about the Great River Preserve at Conihasset and the Snowshoeing event!

You can either BYOSnowshoes or enjoy a FREE rental provided by Eastern Mountain Sports.  Email skugel@wildlandstrust.org if you'd like to reserve a space.  Please include the following information: name, sex, weight class if you need rental snowshoes  (<140 lbs,  140 - 180 lbs,  or >180 lbs)*, and if you are a Wildlands Trust member**.

Lastly, don't forget to wear/pack the following items to make for an enjoyable experience:

Required- waterproof footwear, 3 or 4 clothing layers depending on the temperature, 1 liter of water or liquid for hydration, a snack.  Optional- trekking/hiking/or ski poles, waterproof pants or gaitors, a camera or binoculars, and a small day or fanny pack to carry you water, snacks, camera, etc.

*18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  There are 3 pairs of childrens shoes available, so please specify if you're bringing a child who needs a pair!

**Wildlands Trust members will have priority registration for this event.

by Sarah Kugel, Community Outreach Coordinator, email: skugel@wildlandstrust.org