Garry Kessler, nature photographer and past president of WCLT, will talk about local butterflies and share his beautiful photographs demonstrating survival strategies and unexpected feeding habits. He’ll also talk about the effects of globalization and climate change and how these affect a project to establish a colony of Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies at the Broad Meadow Brook Audubon Sanctuary.

The event will be held at the Tatnuck Bookseller’s meeting area, 18 Lyman St., Westborough MA. No reservation required.

Contact: This winter take a butterfly interlude... events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Dr. Mark Pokras, a Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarian at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss his experiences and lessons learned from his work studying loons and the threats they face. Dr. Pokras's research and expertise lie in how environmental contaminants such as lead affect wildlife species and conservation medicine.

The event will be held in the meeting room of Westborough Public Library, 55 West Main St., Westborough MA. No reservation required.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Everyone loves owls, yet how often do you get to see an owl up close?

Meet some fascinating owls you may hear or see in Westborough, as well as some impressive specimens from around the world. Learn to identify, respect, and protect these handsome creatures, and get some hooting lessons while you're at it! Bring the family--our popular spring live animal 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. Overflow parking is in Arturo’s parking lot, 54 East Main St., and walk around behind the Arturo’s building to cross directly into the KofC parking lot. Please do not park along Willow Street. Presented by “Eyes on Owls.” No reservation required.

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. Supported in part by Westborough Newcomers Club.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Please join us in celebrating WCLT's 20^th anniversary!

The evening will include wine tastings provided by Julio's Liquors, the delicious offerings of Chef Dom and the Arturo’s kitchen, live music, and door prizes!

We'll celebrate what WCLT has accomplished and launch into the next 20 years and beyond.

Don't miss this exciting and satisfying fundraiser event. All are welcome!

Tickets $40 per person. Online purchasing and more details can be found here.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT, and enjoy an Earth Day picnic lunch afterwards!

Early birds meet at 6:30 am at West Meadow Plaza or Bellows Road.

Families are invited at 9:30 am, at our NEW LOCATION on the Bay State Commons Green.

New this year: Online signup! Visit westboroughlandtrust.org/earth-day-signup to choose your cleanup location in advance and avoid the lines. (Online signup is not required)

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

Then at noon, volunteers will be treated to pizza, healthy side dishes, beverages, and dessert at the Bay State Commons Green gazebo, courtesy of Arturo’s Ristorante, Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 9, Roche Bros., and both Stop & Shop stores.

Volunteers also get a free bouquet courtesy of Mugford’s Flower Shoppe!

For the cleanup, wear gloves, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Trash bags and rubber gloves will be provided..

Contact: earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org

Start Memorial Day weekend with an early morning walk to look for colorful warblers such as yellow warblers and American redstarts, as well as other spring migrants. This walk will go along the shore of Lake Chauncy and in the nearby fields, led by Mike Bellows of the Forbush Bird Club.

Bring binoculars and favorite bird guides if you have them.

Meet at the former Westborough State Hospital grounds on Lyman Street, at the trail gate on the lake shore behind the soccer fields. No reservation required.

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

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Jon Way, PhD, will share his research showing that the eastern coyote is really a hybrid between western coyotes and wolves, and tell about this unique animal’s ecology and behavior. He is the author of two books: Suburban Howls, an account of his experiences studying eastern coyotes in Massachusetts, and My Yellowstone Experience, which details the spectacular nature of the world’s first national park. Jon founded and runs Eastern Coyote/Coywolf Research, where he continues to study these fascinating animals.

Program will run from 7-8 pm; reception and Annual Meeting to follow.
Trail Map:
http://Find out about the eastern coyote...

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy open-air live music! A collection will be taken with all proceeds to benefit WCLT.

****** Unfortunately, due to weather, the concert will be held indoors and will only be open to Willows residents.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Where was Westborough’s amusement park? The honeymoon hotel? The first state reform school in the nation? Celebrate Westborough’s 300th anniversary by learning about its history!

Kris Allen, author of On the Beaten Path: Westborough, Massachusetts, will lead a walk along the shore of Lake Chauncy and reveal the secrets of the area from prehistory to the present day.

Meet at the Lake Chauncy boat ramp parking lot on Chauncy Street, just east of the Westborough Tennis and Swim Club.

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

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Don’t miss this wine and cheese reception to open the WCLT Art and Photography Exhibit. Come for the exhibition, the free refreshments, and the good company, and perhaps go home with a work of art or other item to start your holiday shopping!

Sales benefit the Westborough 300th Anniversary celebration.

The 1717 Shoppe is at Julio’s Plaza, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough.

Learn about Westborough before the arrival of Europeans in this fascinating exploration of pre-history. Cedar Swamp was used by Native Americans for thousands of years due to its unique location at a crossroads of waterways and trails leading from Canada to all over New England and beyond.

Walk leader Michelle Gross, with degrees in Archaeology and Anthropology, has worked on digs in Cedar Swamp and many other locations in Westborough. We will find out how the evidence uncovered has given us a wonderful picture of Native American life.

Meet at 57 Flanders Rd (where a stature of a lady holds the mailbox). Follow the driveway about 1/2 mile back and take the left fork to a parking area.

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Come on in and see the amazing work of some of WCLT’s most creative nature artists and photographers. While you’re there, maybe even take home a piece to decorate your own home, to benefit the Westborough 300th Anniversary celebration!

Two walks will start at the same time from one location.

On the first, co-sponsored by the Westborough Public Library, explore the life and writing techniques of Henry David Thoreau, who was born 200 years ago this year. Author and educator Corinne H. Smith will lead participants in doing their own nature observations and writing near Gilmore Pond, in a walk of less than one mile on easy terrain. For this walk, preregistration through the library is required and participation is limited to 15 adults.

On the second walk, a longer, 2 hour hike, enjoy fall colors near Gilmore Pond, along Jackstraw Brook, and into the Bowman West reservation. No preregistration is needed for the longer hike.

Both hikes meet at the Gilmore Pond entrance on Quick Farm Road.

Trail Maps:
http://www.westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/upperjackstraw_trail_map.pdf
http://www.westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/bowmanwest_trail_map.pdf

Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org