Get out into nature to fight off the winter blahs, and join a walk at Westborough's Despres Preserve!

We'll enjoy views of hills and valleys not visible when the leaves are on the trees, and look for signs of what our local wildlife might be doing during the cold weather.

Traction devices attached to boots are strongly recommended if the temperature is below freezing.

Free, open to the public, no reservation needed.

Park in the parking lot of Fales School, 50 Eli Whitney Street, Westborough. Meet at the edge of Eli Whitney Street at the uphill (west) side of the school property.

Before leaving, check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.

Trail Map:
https://westboroughlandtrust.org/25th-anniversary-hikes/hike12-depres-conservation-area.pdf

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Have you ever seen the huge mostly-glass building that is the headquarters of MassWildlife (Formerly Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife) in Westborough, and wondered why the building looks like that, or what is inside?

Wonder no more!

We will receive a private, in-depth, off-hours tour from outreach coordinator Sue Sacco!

We’ll learn about the building’s cutting-edge “green” features, and get a look at the extensive wildlife collection housed there.

Please plan to be on time, as the doors to the building will be locked once we begin the tour.

After the building tour, we’ll finish by taking a walk around some of the MassWildlife property and talk about what happens there.

Traction devices attached to boots are strongly recommended if the temperature is below freezing.

Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.

Trail Map:
https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Bring the family and join us for our always-popular spring free live animal show!

Meet some fascinating owls you may see or hear while out walking in Westborough, as well as some impressive specimens from around the world. Learn to identify, respect, and protect these beautiful creatures.

This show is always a big hit with the young and the curious of all ages!

Plan to arrive early as seating is limited.

Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 17 Willow St., Westborough MA; parking lot in rear. There is no parking along Willow Street. Overflow parking is in Arturo’s parking lot, 54 East Main St.--Walk behind the Arturo’s building to cross directly into the rear of the KofC parking lot.

Presented by Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team.

No reservation required. Free; donations to WCLT gratefully accepted at the door.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Group/Club/Business Sign-up: February 1-March 10, 2024
Family/Individual Sign-up: April 1-4, 2024
Cleanup: Week of April 6-13, 2024

Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT!

Come on your own, or rally your family, co-workers, or neighbors and form a team to beautify our town!

Larger groups please email earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org by March 10 to sign up.

Families and individuals go to westboroughlandtrust.org/earth-day-signup between April 1-4 to sign up and choose an area to clean.

Trash bags will be dropped off at participants’ homes by the 5th, or if necessary, you can arrange to pick up.

Clean your chosen area any day or time before noon on April 13. Leave closed bags by the road in the area you cleaned, and they will be removed on April 13.

Wear gloves, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes.

There will not be a picnic this year, due to decreased attendance, but the people and wildlife of Westborough will be grateful for your efforts!

Contact: earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org

Do you ever notice interesting plants, animals, insects, or birds, and wish you knew what they were?

Field guide books are still a great way to identify native creatures, but phone apps are becoming increasingly popular.

On this walk, led byWCLT’s Sharon Dankwardt, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using apps, and learn how to use some of the most popular apps to identify practically any native creature you can find!

Before coming to the walk, please download at least one of the following apps to your phone: SEEK, INaturalist, Merlin (for bird ID), and Plantnet (for plant ID). If you don’t know how, come early and you can do it with assistance at the start of the walk.

Free, open to the public, no reservation needed.

The hike will be held at the Libbey-Wile Forest. Park along one side of Carroll Drive in Westborough and meet at the trail entrance at the end of the road, near 5 Carroll Drive.

Check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for weather cancellations.

Trail Map:
https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/libbeywile.php

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Learn all about birdsong in this fascinating presentation by Martha Gach, Conservation Coordinator and Regional Education Manager at Mass Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Why do birds sing, and when is the best time to hear them? How can we identify birds by their song?

You’ll come away with an increased appreciation for the sounds of spring!

Free and open to the public.

Presentation will start at 7 pm; WCLT Annual Business Meeting will follow the presentation at about 8 pm. Non-members are welcome to leave after the presentation.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org