Help SVT Support the Playscape at Ripley

Volunteers place reeds in a trench. Photo: ripleyplayscape.org

Volunteers are being sought for a pair of work days in early June, to help manage invasive species along a new path in Concord. SVT has been proud to help support the Concord Children’s Center and the Friends of the Playscape at Ripley in their efforts to create the Playscape at Ripley, a nature park for all ages and abilities being built adjacent to Gowings Swamp in Concord. You can join them to help pull invasive plant species, plant native species and spread mulch on Saturday June 1st from 9:30-11am and again on Sunday June 9th from 9:30-11:30am. To register, contact Pat Nelson, Executive Director of the Concord Children’s Center at 978-369-3747.   

SVT owns a portion of Gowings Swamp where trails pass through and connect to additional conservation lands, including a newly protected Concord Land Conservation Trust property and open space associated with the Meriam Close neighborhood. You can learn more about the area under our Stewardship Projects section.  The page includes a Historical Survey and Botanical Inventory that was written by Concord resident Cherrie Corey and was funded by the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest.

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Wild (and Hairy!) Suburban Teenagers

A black bear at Memorial Forest in Sudbury, photographed by Craig Smith.

By Lydia Rogers, SVT Member and Local Naturalist

Have you heard the reports about black bears in Lincoln, Acton, Sudbury, Concord and other towns? Not only are the stories true, but also remote photography has captured images of our bruin visitors. A little background in bear biology will explain why black bears are making the news. Bears mate in spring and early summer; young (weighing about half a pound) are born in January. The cubs (usually 1 to 4 per litter) grow rapidly on mother bear’s incredibly rich milk and are ready to greet their world in spring. Then at the age of 16 (months, not years, that is) males get the message that it is time to explore the unknown and find their own space (Momma bear is usually more tolerant of her daughters, who usually settle down close by.) Before berries, nuts, or other foods are ready to eat, bears will feed on newly emergent grasses, sedges, leaves, immature insects and whatever else they can find. Sometimes what they find is the problem. Black bears don’t need a GPS to find and remember food sources. If a bear scores an easily procured meal from a bird feeder, dog dish, or crusty barbecue, he will register the location for future forays. This can be an exciting event for the human observers but it can lead to bad outcomes for the bear.

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DRUMLIN FARM SUMMER CAMP AT WOLBACH FARM

DRUMLIN FARM SUMMER CAMP AT WOLBACH FARM
Drumlin Farm is known for their incredible summer camps focusing on building a connection between young people and the land through hands-on farm and nature activities, games, and crafts. SVT is thrilled to be teaming up with Drumlin Farm to offer their programs at SVT's headquarters at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury.  This year's Drumlin Farm's Summer Day Camp includes week-long sessions at Wolbach Farm.  There are six one-week programs, two each for grades 3-5, 1-3 and preschool - 1.
Drumlin Farm Summer Day Camp helps campers develop an appreciation of nature. Campers gain confidence and comfort being in the natural world and understand the interconnectedness among people, land, and wildlife. 
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Statewide Open Space Conference, June 8

MA Open Space Map, November 2010
On Saturday, June 8, 10:00am - 3:00pm at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham, SVT is co-sponsoring the 2nd Statewide Open Space Conference.  This event is designed for municipal volunteers from Massachusetts involved in open space protection.  This year’s conference will include nine different breakout sessions with topics ranging from managing town land, creating a town forest, starting a trails subcommittee, promoting CPA, planning a Woods Forum, and writing an Open Space & Recreation Plan. A lunch will also be provided at this free event.
Conference workshops and speakers will run from 10:00am - 3:00pm (9:30am Registration and Coffee + Pastries).  To RSVP or for more information please contact Andrea Buglione @ 978-248-2055 x21 or conservationist_americorps@mountgrace.org.
For more information on break out sessions go to: http://mountgrace.org/open-space-conference-68
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Trail Access at Garfield Woods

We are disappointed to announce that we have closed access to the trail at Garfield Woods Reservation in Berlin.  It came to our attention that the trail from Lancaster Road has had no official crossing agreement with the active railroad at the site.  The trail crossed private railroad property, and because of this SVT must not encourage its use.  We are saddened by the need to take these steps, especially given the amount of work that SVT has received from volunteers along the trails there over the years.  We know that this land is a favorite to visit for many of our neighbors in Berlin and SVT members there and in surrounding towns.  Because of this, we will be working this spring to locate and build a trail that doesn’t require crossing the railroad.  We will also continue to look for a safe way of providing access to the heart of Garfield Woods Reservation and the neighboring Forty Caves and Musche Woods conservation lands that are cared for by the Town of Berlin Conservation Commission. 
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Sudbury Valley Trustees
is a regional land trust that conserves land and protects wildlife habitat in the Concord, Assabet, and Sudbury river basin for the benefit of present and future generations.