What’s New at Wildlands
Shifting Lots' Shorebirds Are Counting on You!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
The Piping Plovers are back at Shifting Lots for the 2022 season! Protective fencing was installed around the birds’ nesting area at the end of March by staff and volunteers from Wildlands Trust and the Friends of Ellisville Marsh. The shorebirds are expected to begin laying their first eggs in early May, and will remain at the preserve throughout the summer months.
In preparation for the birds’ annual return, Wildlands’ staff and volunteers set up information tables at various times throughout the month of March, talking with visitors and providing informational materials about the value of wild beaches and marshes, the ways we manage the land to support wildlife, and how visitors’ actions can help to protect this important habitat. In case you missed this on-site educational opportunity, our team has created a short summary to provide you with all the “need-to-know” information about Shifting Lots Preserve and its shorebird protection.
Join Us for Opening Day 2022 at Wildlands Trust!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
Spring is in the air! Temperatures are warming, flowers are blooming, and the annual greening of the landscape is underway. At Wildlands, we are celebrating the promise of an exciting season of programming with our “Opening Day” at the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm.
Join us for this free event on Sunday, May 1 (12pm-4pm) to enjoy the beauty of our Plymouth headquarters, learn about Wildlands Trust and some of the exciting projects we have planned, and find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Gather your friends and family, and plan to spend the afternoon with us! You’re welcome to bring a picnic of your own or purchase snacks at the barn, and IndieFerm beer will be available for purchase. In addition to live music and lawn games throughout the event, there will be a guided nature walk/craft activity for children at 12pm, and an Adopt-a-Preserve training program at 1pm, for adults interested in making a monthly commitment to help monitor Wildlands’ preserves.
(*Pre-registration is only required for the two scheduled events. Visit: https://wildlandstrust.org/events/2022/5/1/opening-day for the link to the Eventbrite registration.)
7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day – Today and Every Day
Read Time: 4 min
By Kyla Isakson, Membership and Digital Media Coordinator
Friday, April 22, 2022, marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. This celebration was established in 1970 to educate the public about environmental conservation and encourage the support of legislation that aims to protect nature, wildlife, and the health of the human population. Now, it is a global event that brings together millions of people to raise awareness, make change, and contribute to environmental conservation and stewardship.
Here are 7 ways you can celebrate Earth Day – today and every day!
Go Outside
One of the easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day is to go outside! Bike, hike, paddle, and explore all that nature has to offer. Take some time to feel the warm sun or cool breeze on your face, smell the fresh spring air, and listen for signs of spring. Taking time outdoors can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health, so take a moment today to go outside!
Not sure where to go? Visit our website for trails in your area.
Choose Sustainable
There are many ways you can make sustainable choices. Many plastic products have eco-friendly alternatives — like metal straws, reusable cotton shopping bags, and insulated travel coffee cups. You can also reduce energy use and save money by switching to LED lightbulbs, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances. Going green and making eco-conscious decisions doesn’t have to be complicated, and one small change can make a big impact!
Find ways to save at MassSave.com.
Clean Up
The next time you take a walk around your neighborhood, on a local trail, or at the beach, grab a trash bag (and maybe some gloves) to pick up waste left behind. If trash is not picked up in these areas, it can end up in our waterways or be eaten by animals. Respect your local environment, and always dispose of waste properly. Remember to pick up after your pet too!
Volunteer
Taking time to volunteer with an environmental organization can be a fun way to get involved and see the results of your contributions to conservation. Organizations rely on the dedication of their supporters, working as a team to achieve their goals for the benefit of the community. A great way to provide continuous support is to join Wildlands’ Adopt-a-Preserve program, where volunteers take a couple of hours each month to walk a preserve and report back on its condition. Volunteer with Wildlands!
Support Local
Protecting agricultural land is part of Wildlands' mission to preserve the natural heritage of our region. When you purchase locally grown food, you support our region's family farmers and help keep our agricultural heritage alive. Freshly picked produce is nutritious and delicious, and purchasing locally sourced products reduces your carbon footprint. Supporting local establishments helps small businesses thrive, strengthens the local economy, and builds a sense of community among us. In a time when people often opt for the convenience and uniformity of big stores, it is important to remember to shop locally!
As a Wildlands member, you receive discounts at local farms and retailers with your valid membership card.
Encourage others
Earth Day is a terrific way to get involved in local land protection. Whatever way you choose to celebrate the day, take a moment to encourage others to join your support of environmental conservation. Invite them to a volunteer event, recommend a sustainable product, or give the gift of Wildlands! As a member, they will receive more information about our organization and what we do to protect the land we love. Gift a membership to someone today!
Give Back
Take time to reflect on how you can give back to the environment. Showing your support and donating your time, goods, talent, or money helps to maintain and improve the quality of life for people and wildlife in the community. Donating your time and talents through volunteering and offering special assistance gives organizations the capacity to do more. Donating goods and money can help provide the necessary tools and materials to sponsor youth programs that educate and connect the next generation to nature, or support trail stewardship that ensures the maintenance of valuable properties for years to come.
Donate today to help Wildlands continue to protect land and provide education and recreation for the people of Southeastern Massachusetts, now and in the future.
Sources
Wildlands Trust Awarded Planning Grant for Brockton Park Restoration
In March 2022, Wildlands Trust received an anonymous grant from a private foundation to fund the initial planning and design stages of a significant revitalization project proposed for Brockton’s 700-acre D.W. Field Park. Working collaboratively with city officials, including the Mayor’s Office, and several community-based and statewide partners, the conservation organization says the proposed project will provide much-needed improvements to the well-utilized open space and recreation area over the next 5 to 7 years.
Read Time: 4 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
This week, Wildlands Trust received an anonymous grant from a private foundation to fund the initial planning and design stages of a significant revitalization project proposed for Brockton’s 700-acre D.W. Field Park. Working collaboratively with city officials, including the Mayor’s Office, and several community-based and statewide partners, the conservation organization says the proposed project will provide much-needed improvements to the well-utilized open space and recreation area over the next 5 to 7 years.
“I am extremely grateful to this private foundation for its generous investment in D.W. Field Park – a park that is frequented by a wide number of patrons from all over the Commonwealth,” said Mayor Robert F. Sullivan. “I am a strong advocate for collaboration with organizations who can help make the City of Brockton better, and I look forward to witnessing the final product of this important revitalization project.”
“I very much look forward to working with Wildlands Trust on this project,” said Superintendent of Parks Tim Carpenter. “It marks an investment in D.W. Field Park, both by making immediate physical improvements and, perhaps more importantly, it marks an investment in the future of the park through community engagement and creating an understanding and passion for the park for years to come."
The expansive green space of D.W. Field Park is very important in the densely populated City of Brockton. With seven miles of paved road for walking, running, and biking, several ponds, trails, and a 65-foot stone observation tower, it has been a valued resource for residents for nearly 100 years. However, the park has suffered considerable decay over the years, and is in need of costly repairs and maintenance.
“Having grown-up in Brockton, I have a very strong sense of how important the park is to the people of this city,” said Karen Grey, President of Wildlands Trust. “Wildlands is well-positioned to convene the partners, conduct the planning, and leverage the funding to restore the glory of Field Park.”
“Over the years, Wildlands Trust has made significant contributions to the Stone Farm Conservation Area” said City Planner Rob May. “They have been tremendous partners to the City of Brockton, assisting with overall maintenance efforts throughout the park. I am excited for them and look forward to collaborating with them on this crucial revitalization project."
The main goals of the proposed project are to improve ecological functioning within the park, address deteriorating infrastructure, upgrade recreational amenities, and provide education and outreach for youth and adults in the community. According to Wildlands Trust’s project manager Rachel Calderara, “We are embarking on a truly collaborative process that will help us create plans that reflect the community’s values, wants, and needs. This park is a pillar of life in the city, and we want all Brockton residents to feel that it is accessible and valuable.”
Wildlands Trust has been invested in the City of Brockton for over a decade, protecting and restoring 250 acres of open space at the Brockton Audubon Preserve and Stone Farm Conservation Area, coaching more than 125 Brockton High School students in the Massachusetts Envirothon program that introduces high school students to environmental issues and related career opportunities, managing community outreach for the city’s urban tree planting program (Greening the Gateway Cities), providing Brockton youth with paid service-learning positions on supervised natural resource projects, and advising community gardening, church, and neighborhood park groups interested in furthering environmental progress in the city.
Wildlands Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conserving land and preserving the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts. The organization works to permanently protect and steward essential habitats and landscapes, including woodlands and fields, ponds, coastal areas, farmland, and river systems. Founded in 1973, Wildlands Trust is among Massachusetts' largest and oldest land trusts, whose work has led to the protection of 13,000 acres of land across a 1,500-square-mile coverage area, with over 100 miles of conservation trails for public enjoyment. Wildlands Trust is committed to establishing and improving access to nature for all people, responding to the needs and interests of cities and towns they serve. Wildlands Trust’s programs and services have been supporting equity and inclusion in the City of Brockton since 2012.
Indian Head River Coalition Completes Work on Multi-town Hiking Trail Loop
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
Read Time: 2 min
The Indian Head River Trail, a popular recreational trail system spanning the towns of Hanover, Hanson, and Pembroke, just received a 3-year makeover and it's ready for spring hiking season! The latest improvements welcome new and returning visitors with an enhanced trail experience for all.
In 2017, a group of landholding entities—the Pembroke, Hanover, and Hanson Conservation Commissions, Plymouth County, North and South River Watershed Association, and Wildlands Trust—formed the Indian Head River Trail Coalition (IHRTC) to preserve the historic and natural qualities of the Indian Head River and its surrounding lands, while also encouraging passive recreation in and around the river.
In 2018, the coalition was awarded a 3-year Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Recreational Trails Program grant to expand and improve the Indian Head River trail system. Following completion of this work in late 2021, the area currently boasts six continuous miles of trail, connecting 325 acres of conservation land along the river. The neighboring trail systems of Wildlands Trust’s Tucker Preserve and Hanover’s Iron Mine Brook are now linked with the Indian Head River Trail, offering one complete loop incorporating the various conservation properties around the river.
The DCR funding supported both trail blazing and maintenance of existing trails to create the loop. In addition, it allowed for the installation of several new features, including: map holders and trail markers to improve navigability; signage providing ecological and historical information; 800 feet of “bog board” walkways over areas of trail deterioration; benches at scenic viewpoints; informational kiosks to welcome visitors at several entrances to the trail; and printed trail maps reflecting the newest changes to the expansive trail system.
In conjunction with the Indian Head River Trail Coalition, local volunteers provided critical assistance throughout the project. Led by Wildlands Trust’s director of stewardship Erik Boyer, volunteers from The Town of Hanover, Wildlands Trust, REI, the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), and a Hanover boy scout troop assisted with trail clean up, installation of trail enhancements, ongoing trail monitoring (through Wildlands’ Adopt-a-Preserve program), and guided hikes to introduce new visitors to the trail system. Assistance with historical content pertaining to the Mattakeeset Tribe was provided by Dr. Larry Fisher.
