2012 Calendar of Events
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Saturday |
Tracking the Wildlife of Little Chauncy Pond
Think you never see any animals when you're out hiking? Think again. Janet Pesaturo of Nashaway Trackers will teach us to see the animals that are out there by the footprints, fur, and food they leave behind. Learn to find and identify the local wildlife by their tracks, sign, and habitat, and to interpret the clues of their behavior to piece together the animals' story. The areas surrounding Little Chauncy provide a wide array of habitats, from forests and fields to swamps and wet meadows, and we may see evidence of rabbits, deer, squirrels, coyote, and otters. Suitable for adults and older kids, beginner and intermediate trackers. No dogs, please. Pace will be slow as we pause to examine what we see, so dress warmly in bright-colored clothing. Waterproof boots or snowshoes may be useful. Park at Chauncy Hall Academy on Lyman Street on the right (look for the sign). Space is limited, so we would appreciate a heads-up if you are interested.
[This event was postponed from January 14.] Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Oak Bluffs Hike
Venture onto a new trail near the Assabet River. Enjoy a winter’s walk on the Oak Bluffs Trail, recently cleared by Eagle Scout Josh Saari and crew. This is a flat, two-mile trail where we may see traces of local wildlife. Dress for winter conditions with warm clothing, boots or snowshoes if you’d like. Meet in the northwest corner of Regal Cinema at Stagecoach Plaza. If inclement weather, check the website (www.westboroughlandtrust.org)
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Wednesday |
Asian Long-horned Beetle Alert
Jennifer Forman Orth of the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources explains the history, habits, and hazards of the Asian Long-horned Beetle. The Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALB) has caused the cutting of 30,000 trees in the Worcester area, and satellite infestations in Shrewsbury show they are nearer to our borders. Join us to learn how to identify the beetles and infected trees and what you can do about it. Orth will describe the spread of the ALB, the tree damage it causes, and the work to date to contain the infestation.
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
WCLT 15th Anniversary Wine Tasting Celebration
Join us for this 2012 celebratory social event for members and non-members alike, with wine provided by Julio's, appetizers by Arturo's, and music and door prizes. Proceeds will benefit WCLT and the cause of land preservation and stewardship in Westborough.
Tickets: $30 members, $40 non-members. (If you purchase two tickets for $80, you will receive a complimentary $35 WCLT membership.) Purchase tickets at Arturo’s (cash or check) or send a check (payable to WCLT) to PO Box 838 Westborough, MA 01581. Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
Live Animals: Snakes of New England and the World
Back by popular demand, the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team will introduce you to the world of snakes—from those sunning on our stonewalls to exotic snakes beyond New England. Have you caught a glimpse of a snake just as it disappeared and wished for a closer look? Here is your chance to meet and even touch local and exotic snakes close up. In this family Earth Awareness Program, the team will introduce some of their favorite snakes and talk about their lives and habits. Donations welcome. (Sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council.) See the Snakes Event poster.
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Monday |
DEADLINE FOR EARTH DAY ESSAYS & WCLT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Last day for Westborough High School seniors to submit Earth Day essays and WCLT Scholarship applications. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to the winners at graduation.
See Scholarship page for details. Contact: Annie Reid, 508-366-8429 scholarship@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
Earth Day Town-Wide Clean-Up
Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT! Early birds meet at 6:30 a.m. at West Meadow Plaza or Bellows Road. Families are invited at 9:30 a.m. to Lake Chauncy parking lot to be assigned a site to clean up. Wear gloves and sturdy shoes—trash bags will be provided. Rally your co-workers or neighbors to form a team to pick up litter and beautify our streets! See the Earth Day Clean-Up poster.
Contact: earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Canoe Trip in Cedar Swamp
Paddle to the headwaters of the Sudbury River. An adventurous 1-mile paddle up the winding head of the Sudbury takes you to Cedar Swamp Pond in this 4-5 hour trip. This is the only warm-weather route to this remote pond in Westborough’s back yard. The route starts adjacent to the commuter rail line, passes through conservation property, parallels the Mass Pike, crosses under I-90 and I-495, and then heads inland into the heart of Cedar Swamp. Please bring your own canoe or kayak and personal flotation devices. Fairly strenuous trip for experienced paddlers only. Meet by the bridge on Fruit Street, about 1/8 mile southwest of Flanders Road on the Hopkinton-Southborough line. Park next to the bridge on the southwest side.
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
Cedar Swamp Hike
Westborough’s Cedar Swamp is the headwaters of the Sudbury River and covers roughly ten percent of the town, but most people have never seen it. Did you ever want to walk into the mysterious Cedar Swamp? Here’s your chance! Take an easy hike of 3 miles on a dirt road into the swamp with WCLT guides. You will have a view of Cedar Swamp Pond, old dumps of Bay State Abrasives, the TransFlo facility construction, and views across the swamp. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants, bring bug spray and water. Meet behind Steinmart in Bay State Commons near downtown Westborough off Route 30.
Rain Date: Sunday, May 6 1:30 PM Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
The Wilds of Wile Forest
Scott Shumway, Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, leads this nature hike to explore one of the wildest places in Westborough. This large tract connects with the Libbey Reservation to create an extensive 200-acre wildlife corridor. We will see traces of historic logging and vernal pools, plus abundant ferns as we walk through lush forests of maple, oak and pine. Perhaps the song of the elusive ovenbird or wood peewee will catch our ears. Meet at end of Carroll Drive (off of West Main/Kendall/Frances Dr.) for this 1- to 2-mile hike.
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
National Trails Day: Sawink Farm to Walnut Hill Trail Opening
Celebrate the opening of this trail network from Sawink Farm Reservation to Southborough’s Walnut Hill. This hike will explore the new trail that links Westborough to Southborough conservation properties. Park at Sawink Reservation. (Co-sponsored by Sudbury Valley Trustees.)
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Monday |
WCLT Annual Meeting: The Wild and Wonderful World of Insects
7:00 PM: For forty days and forty nights, naturalists Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney traveled the continent. They returned with thousands of photographs, not of Yosemite's grand vistas or Yellowstone's bison herds, but of tiny eggs stuck to flagpoles, origami made by beetles, and the artfully crafted portable houses of caddisfly larvae. The trip was field work for their new book, Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates, which won the 2010 National Outdoor Book Award for best nature guidebook. Egg cases, cocoons, galls, leaf mines, burrows, nests, and many other curiosities are illustrated in the book’s pages. In this talk, the authors will show images of exquisite invertebrate-created objects, discuss mind-boggling natural history, and share amusing anecdotes from their eccentric journeys. Professional entomologists and bug-haters alike have found themselves rolling with laughter and staring in horrified fascination during this entertaining presentation. Presentation followed by reception and refreshments.
8:00 PM: Annual Meeting Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Fascinating Fungi
Enjoy a mushroom talk and walk with mycologist Larry Millman, author of Fascinating Fungi of New England, the first-ever guidebook devoted exclusively to New England species. He will focus on mushroom ecology and mushroom identification rather than on edibility. Space is limited to 18, so please let us know if you are interested.
Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Fall Foliage Walk
Walk a loop of trails in the Headwaters Conservation Area with Marge Fisher of the WCLT stewardship committee to soak up the glory of fall in the New England woods. The route will start at Mill Pond School and proceed to the Assabet River, around Osprey Point for a view of Mill Pond, then to the Andrews Street entrance and the butterfly garden, and back to the school on a different trail.
Trail map: www.westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/hca_trail_map.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Geology Trek
Join Andy Koenigsberg on a geology walk from Veteran’s Freedom Park along the Malley Trail to the Pumphouse (round trip about 2.5 miles). During the walk, Andy will make brief stops to point out some distinctive geological features along the trail, such as the Marlborough rock formation, visible as outcrops in the park, as well as glacial features including moraines, eskers, and glacial erratics.
Trail map: www.westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/mill_pond_map.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Westborough Community Land Trust, PO Box 838, Westborough , MA 01581
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