Since 2014, Sandra Pond in Westborough has been a place where I could unwind, reflect, and connect with nature. As a current senior in high school, navigating the pressures of academics and post-pandemic chaos, I have found comfort here for quite some time. Whether biking, hiking, or fishing, my time at Sandra Pond has deepened my appreciation for nature and influenced my responsibility to preserve it.

I first visited Sandra Pond for a fishing camp in the summer after second grade at Fales Elementary School. It was a surprise birthday present from my parents that I would never forget. I remember the peacefulness of the pond, its waters reflecting the surrounding woods, randomly interrupted by our group of rowdy kids throwing lines in with bait. The simple joy of fishing and being outdoors with my camp counselor and other campers, now best friends, was something I quickly grew to love. Over the years, it became more than just a spot to fish—it became a landmark that I often shared with my younger sister and friends.

Another memory I have was when I took my sister to Sandra Pond to explore the smaller “islands” around the water. We’d hop from one patch of land to the next, making up scenarios and adventures in our minds as we continued. After having so much fun, we took the time to even name two of them as our own! As the two of us grew older, the pond became a place where we’d bike, still enjoying the nature around us, spend time together as a family, and try our best to get a glimpse of any new wildlife in the area.

In addition to my sister, I began meeting friends at the pond for fishing trips. These gatherings became something I consistently looked forward to throughout these summers. One of the most memorable moments I had was during the winter season when the smaller pond near Sandra Pond froze over. My friends and I bundled up with several layers to ice fish with our dads and, on one particularly snowy day, even built an eight-foot-tall snowman in the middle of the ice. We were just passing the time and enjoying ourselves but little did we know that the rest of the town saw it as well. Turns out, our snowman was later featured in the Community Advocate, highlighting its significance to the town and making it even more special for my friends and me.

Spending time at Sandra Pond has also made me more mindful of the environment. I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to preserve natural spaces, and I now make a point to support clean-up initiatives whenever I can. Not only that, but my connection to Sandra Pond was the driving factor behind my decision to complete a research project on global freshwater sources and the wildlife in them (specifically different species of turtles). The pond has taught me that small actions, like keeping areas clean and increasing knowledge around the topic, contribute to protecting the beauty of nature.

Sandra Pond has become much more than a place, it has shaped how I view nature and my role in protecting it. It’s where I’ve grown closer to my family and friends, and it’s inspired me to be more environmentally conscious. The calmness I find there reminds me of the importance of preserving such spaces for future generations to enjoy. The deep connection I feel to nature through my time at Sandra Pond helped influence my decision to attend and compete for Wesleyan University this fall, where the surrounding natural beauty and green spaces, along with the nearby Connecticut River are a perfect fit for my love of the outdoors.

For three hundred and three years, the rolling hills of Nourse Farm have withstood the test of time. Through economic depressions, rapidly changing weather, and family turmoil, Nourse Farm has stood strong and is currently the 15th oldest continuously running family business in the US. In June of 2014, my family moved from Washington D.C to Westborough and my life has been intertwined with the farm ever since. Whether it is mending fences, moving cows, or overseeing farm-wide walks, I have spent countless hours at the farm helping to preserve its legacy. Throughout my time in Westborough my life has changed in many ways but one thing has always stayed constant: The farm.

When you look at most New England towns, they have an old church, a Milk Street, and maybe the remnants of a farmhouse or a plaque describing what the town was once like. Westborough has many old churches, definitely has a Milk Street, and has many plaques describing the historic places throughout the town. Unlike others, Westborough contains a working farm that to this day, has consistently run for 10 generations and still supplies parts of the town with their food. But in parts of the country, especially in the northeast, the farms that used to rule the plains are now fading. When I drive up to Vermont in the summer, I pass dilapidated, almost ancient looking farmhouses and barns, showing the remains of what used to rule the northeast kingdom. My grandfather constantly tells me about how when he was a kid, there were farms all throughout the town and county. He remarks how they all closed down and Nourse Farm is the one to remain, sounding very proud and almost a little surprised. For this reason, I believe it is vital to preserve the farm, as it is one of the last remaining green spaces and has, for the last 303 years, nurtured both the local wildlife and sustained our beautiful town. History is too often torn down or forgotten, which concerns me, as the only way to prepare for the future is to learn from the past. In order for us to realize what farming has really done for the town or even the country, it is our responsibility to help preserve Nourse Farm. There are simple ways to do this and I myself (and others) have already participated in multiple different ways.

Before I even moved to Westborough, I remember coming up to the farm for a vacation. It usually wasn’t much of a vacation as I remember moving the cows, sitting on the tractor while my dad and grandfather completed a project, or even just weeding the garden, all before age 7. As I have grown older, my great uncle has entrusted me with more responsibility and I have driven the tractor, helped him seed fields, and fixed machinery, among others. Nourse Farm has hosted multiple community wide events through Westborough Connects and this has been a great way to showcase the farm and has greatly fostered community engagement. In addition in 2019, my father and I constructed and placed a walking trail at the farm that spans 9 different signs (I still do the maintenance today!), all talking about different aspects of the natural heritage of the farm. People can help and do help to protect the farm by purchasing produce in the farm store, picking berries as a part of Pick Your Own, and walking the walking trail, which remains a great way to see the beauty of the farm. In addition, people hike the Charm Bracelet Trail, which starts on Nourse Street and continues throughout it. This trail is graciously maintained by the Westborough Community Land Trust and was the first trail built on the farm. Overall, the farm provides so much more to the community than just the produce grown. It is a place where people can enjoy nature and learn about history, all while helping to preserve the 15th oldest continuously running family business in the United States of America.