2023 Calendar of Events
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Sunday |
Wildlife Tracks and Signs
Have you ever come across tracks in the snow or mud, and wondered what animal made them? Or thought about what other signs animals might leave of their presence?
Bring the family and join this WCLT walk to learn how to tell what our local animals are doing in the wild when we’re not around! Led by certified wildlife tracker Debbie Gallagher, assisted by Janet Anderson. Free; no reservation required. Easy walk on woodland terrain, one small hill. Meet at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road (off North Drive) in Westborough MA. Take Milk St. to North Dr. and follow signs to the Mass Wildlife Headquarters. Before heading out, check here for weather cancellations. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
Clicking With Nature
Focus on nature photography with WCLT!
Learn tips, tricks, and go-to gear from Westborough resident and award-winning nature photographer Nancy Wright. You’ll hear the stories behind some of her favorite photos, including several that are part of her portfolio that won the National Wildlife 2021 Photo Contest. Free; no reservation required. Westborough Public Library meeting room, 55 West Main St., Westborough MA. Check for weather and Covid updates before heading out: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Wednesday |
Earth Day Essay Contest starts
WCLT Earth Day Essay Contest & Scholarships
The Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT) is offering two scholarships of $1000 each, to be awarded to the winners of its 2022 Earth Day Essay Contest, which runs March 1 – April 10. Open to graduating Westborough High School (WHS) seniors and to graduating seniors who reside in Westborough but attend a different high school. As of March 1, contest details and scholarship applications are available from the Westborough High School guidance office OR online on the Westborough Community Land Trust website (westboroughlandtrust.org). Contact: scholarship@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
Snakes of New England and the World
Bring the family and join us for our always-popular spring free live animal show!
Meet some fascinating harmless reptiles you may find while out walking in Westborough, as well as some impressive specimens from around the world. Learn to identify, respect, and protect these fragile creatures. You will be allowed to touch the animals—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. Also supported in part by the Westborough Newcomers Club. Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Saturday |
Earth Day Town-Wide Cleanup and Cleanup Volunteers’ Picnic
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Monday |
Essay & scholarship application DEADLINE
WCLT Earth Day Essay Contest & Scholarships
Earth Day essays and scholarship applications due on paper to the Westborough High School Guidance Office, OR on paper by mail (in time to be received by the deadline) to WCLT, P.O. Box 838, Westborough, MA 01581, OR electronically by email to scholarship@westboroughlandtrust.org. Contact: scholarship@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Friday |
Evening Woodcock Walk
As the sun sets in spring, the American Woodcock performs a spectacular mating ritual.
Join WCLT to walk gentle trails with Laura Lane of the Forbush Bird Club to listen for the Woodcock’s unique call and watch its amazing sky dance. Families with school-age children are welcome. Meet at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road (off North Drive) in Westborough at 6:30 p.m. Note: Walk will be canceled in case of heavy rain. For questions, contact Laura Lane at 508-480-8259 or email: pete.lane@comcast.net Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Thursday |
Early Morning Bird Walk #1
Join WCLT to walk the trails at Lake Chauncy in search of migrant warblers with Nick Paulson of the Forbush Bird Club.
This is the first of three Thursday morning walks in this very productive area. Binoculars recommended. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the very last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go down the hill, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. For questions, contact Nick Paulson at grendelpgill@yahoo.com or 508-330-4401 Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Sunday |
Plug into the Outdoors!
Turn off the devices and turn on the wonder!
Join WCLT on a family-friendly afternoon in nature, looking for and learning about the plants, trees, insects, birds, and animals right in our own back yard. The event will take place on the Gilmore Pond All-Persons Trail, so strollers and individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome! Presented as part of Westborough Unplugs week. Free, no reservation needed. Short, level crushed stone trail with integrated boardwalks. Meet at the Gilmore Pond Trail Entrance, GPS address approximately 19 Quick Farm Rd., Westborough. Park along one side of Quick Farm Road. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/upperjackstraw_trail_map.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Thursday |
Early Morning Bird Walk #2
Join WCLT early on a Thursday morning to search for migrant warblers and other songbirds along the north shore of Lake Chauncy with Nick Paulson of the Forbush Bird Club.
This is the second of three Thursday morning walks in this very productive area. Binoculars recommended. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the very last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go down the hill, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. For questions, contact Nick Paulson at grendelpgill@yahoo.com or 508-330-4401 Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Sunday |
The Ice Age in Westborough: How Glaciers Shaped our Landscape
Learn about how Westborough was shaped by glaciers with the Westborough Community Land Trust! Glaciers covered the land in a mile-thick ice sheet eight different times over the last million years.
During this 2.5-mile round-trip hike, leader Andy Koenigsberg will take the group along the west side of Lake Chauncy, and north to visit a glacially deposited former sand and gravel quarry. Come away with an understanding of how New England’s rocky, hilly, pond-filled landscape came to exist as we see it today. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the very last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Where that road meets the lakeshore, park and meet near the yellow gate. No reservation needed. Check for weather cancellations before setting out. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Monday |
Protecting Open Space in Westborough: The History of WCLT
The Westborough Historical Society will present a virtual program celebrating a quarter-century of WCLT's preserving open space and creating trails.
WCLT founder Tim Buckalew and current leaders will describe the history and accomplishments of the Westborough Community Land Trust. This program is free on Zoom. To register for this program, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcumoqjIvHNQu1LnSSWnAJXIzA2im_3ID |
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Thursday |
Early Morning Bird Walk #3
Spring migration is at its peak! Don’t miss WCLT’s last early-morning hike on the north side of Lake Chauncy with Nick Paulson of the Forbush Bird Club!
This is the third of three Thursday morning walks in this very productive area. Binoculars recommended. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the very last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go down the hill, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. For questions, contact Nick Paulson at grendelpgill@yahoo.com or (508) 330-4401 Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Monday |
Bird Walk at Crane Swamp and Cedar Hill
Spend a full morning birding with WCLT and Laura Lane of the Forbush Bird Club!
We will walk about 2.5 miles on the loop trail. Please note: There is occasional rough footing, and Cedar Hill is moderately steep. Participants may want to bring a walking stick. Binoculars recommended. Meet at Crane Swamp Trailhead, 360 Cedar Hill St., Marlborough Directions: From Route 9, take Lyman St. north; drive 2.8 miles and turn right onto Bartlett St. In 0.8 miles, bear right onto Cedar Hill Road, and turn right onto Forest St. to the trailhead parking area. For questions, contact Laura Lane at (508)-480-8259 or email pete.lane@comcast.net Trail Map: https://svtweb.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/Northborough_CedarHill.pdf |
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Monday |
The American Chestnut Story And Westborough Community Land Trust Annual Meeting
Did you know there is an American Chestnut tree breeding orchard in Westborough?
Learn the fascinating story behind the work that is being done there:
The sweeping Chestnut saga will be shared in this presentation, from the separation of the continents and the last glaciation to the current understanding of the Chestnut genome and advances in biotechnology. Presenter Brad Smith joined the American Chestnut Foundation in the early 1990's, upon spotting his first Chestnut in the wild after reading a National Geographic article about this new organization. He became a board member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter soon after its founding in 2000; he is a past president and remains a director. He has been involved in surveying, pollinating, planting, harvesting and crossbreeding Chestnuts for the last two decades. Brad has recently retired from teaching Latin for 35 years, and has lived in Westborough since 1988. 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. Location: St. Luke’s Parish Hall, 1 Ruggles St. Westborough MA Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
The American Chestnut Story: An Orchard Tour
Did you know there is an American Chestnut tree breeding orchard in Westborough?
American Chestnut trees once dominated North American forests. With their huge size and their ability to produce many bushels of tasty nuts per tree each year, they were a cornerstone of ecosystems and livelihoods. Chestnut blight, a fungal disease, killed most of these trees in the decades following its introduction from Asia in 1901, but exciting efforts are being made to bring this tree back to its former glory. Learn the fascinating story behind the work that is being done on this tour of the American Chestnut orchard and the surrounding property! Led by Bill Davis of the American Chestnut Foundation. Meet at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road (off North Drive) in Westborough. Free, no reservation needed. Less than 1 mile of walking on easy woodland trails with one moderate hill. This event will take place rain or shine. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Monday |
Monday Morning Bird Walk #1
This is the first of three Monday morning walks in the very productive MacCallum Wildlife Management Area north of Lake Chauncy.
We will look for sparrows, migrating warblers, and other songbirds with leader Nick Paulson. Co-sponsored by WCLT and the Forbush Bird Club. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go toward the lake, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. Pre-registration (required) opens on Saturday, September 30. Please contact Nick by 5 p.m. Sunday, October 1, to register: email grendelpgill@yahoo.com; or text or leave message: (508) 330-4401. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Sunday |
Tree ID for You and Me: Family Fall Adventure
Do you know an oak from a maple? How about a sugar maple from a red maple? And what’s so special about a sassafras tree?
Learn to identify and appreciate the trees that make up our Westborough forests. When you take a walk in the woods, it is much more enjoyable when you understand what you are seeing! Family-friendly, open to all! SVT Walkup & Robinson Property: Take Connector Road to Friberg Parkway. Take the first right into the dirt road to access the property. GPS address: Across from 600 Friberg Parkway. Free, no reservation needed. Less than 1 mile of walking on easy woodland trails with one small hill. Before leaving check westboroughlandtrust.org for cancellations. Trail Map: https://www.svtweb.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/walkup_interpretiveguide.pdf Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Wednesday |
Fall All-Morning Bird Walk
Join WCLT and the Forbush Bird Club for a bird walk at Cedar Hill and Crane Swamp in Westborough and Northborough.
We will walk about 2.5 miles on the loop trail through various habitats attractive to fall migrants as well as year-round resident birds. Note: Participants may want to bring a walking stick for occasional rough and/or steep terrain. Sturdy waterproof hiking boots are recommended since portions of the trail may be muddy. Directions: From Route 9 East, take Lyman St. North; drive 2.8 miles and turn right onto Bartlett Street. In 0.8 miles, bear right onto Cedar Hill Road. The trailhead is behind the building with Fresenius Kidney Care at 360 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough. Leader: Laura Lane Pre-registration (required) opens on Monday, October 16. Please contact Laura by 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, to register: (508)-480-8259 or email: pete.lane@comcast.net. |
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Monday |
Monday Morning Bird Walk #2
Mid-October is a great time to discover uncommon sparrows in the fields of the MacCallum Wildlife Management Area around Lake Chauncy with leader Nick Paulson.
Co-sponsored by WCLT and the Forbush Bird Club. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go toward the lake, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. Pre-registration (required) opens on Saturday, October 21. Please contact Nick by 5 p.m. Sunday, October 22, to register: email grendelpgill@yahoo.com; or text or leave message: (508) 330-4401. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Sunday |
Be Kind to the Earth: TWO Family-Friendly Events!
As part of Westborough’s Kindness Week, the Westborough Community Land Trust invites people of all ages to two events on Sunday November 5.
First, from 9-11am, take a “trail service hike,” learning about and helping with light trail maintenance at WCLT’s Libby-Wile Forest. We will pick up fallen sticks while enjoying nature. Then from 2-4pm, WCLT will host a “Be Kind to Nature” table at the Kickoff to Kindness Week event at Westborough High School. For the hike, park along one side of Carroll Drive in Westborough and meet at the trail entrance at the end of the road. Check back here for weather cancellations. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/libbeywile.php Contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org |
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Sunday |
All-Morning Birding in Westborough and Northborough
In this morning of birding co-sponsored by WCLT and the Forbush Bird Club, we will drive to several locations to explore ponds and fields around Westborough and Northborough.
Directions: Meet at the Casta Diva Restaurant parking lot, 35 Solomon Pond Rd, Northborough (Exit 30A off I-290 east) at 7:30 a.m. EST. Leader: Nick Paulson Pre-registration (required) opens on Friday, November 3. Please contact Nick by 5 p.m. Saturday, November 4 to register: email grendelpgill@yahoo.com; or text or leave message: (508) 330-4401. |
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Monday |
Monday Morning Bird Walk #3
Join leader Nick Paulson for the last of this season’s walks at the MacCallum Wildlife Management Area north of Lake Chauncy to look for waterfowl, late-migrating land birds, and early winter arrivals.
Co-sponsored by WCLT and the Forbush Bird Club. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go toward the lake, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate. Pre-registration (required) opens on Saturday, November 11. Please contact Nick by 5 p.m. Sunday, November 12 to register: email grendelpgill@yahoo.com; or text or leave message: (508) 330-4401. Trail Map: https://westboroughcharm.org/guide/maps/map_FishWildlife.pdf |
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Westborough Community Land Trust, PO Box 838, Westborough , MA 01581
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