April 11 Wolves Cancelled - See April 12 Eastern Cougar
Dave Small
Athol Bird & Nature Club
Field Trips & Meetings 2012
Unless otherwise noted, programs meet at
the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol.
If weather is questionable on a field trip day,
please call the trip leader at least an hour before the scheduled meeting time.
Wednesday, April 4, 7 p.m. Reintroducing the Watershed
“New Currents” – a presentation by the Millers River Watershed Council on its new website and new initiatives. At the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol.
Sunday, April 8, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. The Quest for the Eastern Cougar
The Athol Bird & Nature Club’s gift to the town of Athol in celebration of its 250th anniversary, this meeting features author Robert Tougias, who explores how officially extinct cougars can be sighted – and killed – in southern New England. At Athol Town Hall, 584 Main St. Free.
Sunday, April 15, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Tuesday, April 17, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Open to birders of all abilities and led by Joe Superchi of the Athol Bird & Nature Club. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491. Free.
Thursday, April 20, 7 p.m. Heirloom & Native Plants: A Living History
John Forti, award-winning curator of historic landscapes at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, will bring to life the living history of plants that have a defining presence in our region. Offered by the North Quabbin Garden Club in celebration of Athol’s 250th anniversary at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Free.
Sunday, April 22, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Saturday, April 28, 6 a.m. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Athol Bird & Nature Club outing to this famous spring hotspot for migrating songbirds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental, 100 Main St., Athol, for carpooling at 6 a.m. or at the main gate of the Cambridge cemetery at 7:30.
Sunday, April 29, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Invasives & climate Change Workshop
Red Apple Farm
455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston
Saturday, April 14
9am-noon
Help track invasive species and the effects of climate change on local habitats. Presenters Stacy Kilb and John O'Keefe will explain how to spot warning signs of invasives and tabulate data on the local environment. Participants will be asked to note down observations they make on future hikes and report the data back to the US Phenological Network and to Beetle Detectives.
This Citizen Stewardship Workshop at Red Apple Farm aims to train volunteers to monitor invasives and climate change. You, too, can become a Citizen Steward and help our forests by tracking phenological change and looking for invasives in your own area.
To volunteer, or for more information, contact AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Aja Lippincott, at outreach_...@mountgrace.org.
April Events for the Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376
From: Sarah Bevilacqua
Phone: 413-863-3221 On the web at: www.greatfallsma.org
Email: Sarah_Be...@fws.gov
For immediate release:
Great Falls Discovery Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted.
April 2012
In the Great Hall: Sculptures by David Flood April 1- April 29, 2012
Friday, July 8, 2012 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)GFDC Friends Coffeehouse Series: Amandla Chorus
Amandla Chorus presents songs that celebrate our natural world, the many struggles for justice, rites of passage, and the strength of community. Amandla s songs are both rousingly joyful and deeply meditative. Our goal is to enlighten, as well as to entertain .
Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7 pm. Refreshments are available. The museum and museum store open at intermission. Donations help the Friends support free programming at the Great Falls Discovery Center ($6 $12 suggested). The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month.
Saturday, April 14, 2012 (10:30 am 12:00pm)Second Saturday Family Series: Terrariums Join the Great Falls Discovery Center staff in making a terrarium - a miniature habitat that fits in a jar! This activity will begin with an investigation of the diverse ecosystems found in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and then we will make our own in miniature. We encourage you to bring any special containers, plants or rocks that you would like to include.
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (7:00 - 8:30 pm)Special Event:Karner blue butterflies- Prairie Survivors Karner blue butterflies are a federally endangered butterfly species that resides in the pine barrens of Concord, NH. For over 10 years, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has been working to restore the habitat for Karner blue butterflies as well as captive rearing and releasing this small blue butterfly. Join Lindsay Webb, Wildlife Biologist, as we learn how this recovery effort has brought this population of rare butterfly back from the brink.
Friday, April 27, 2012 (10:30 - 11:30 am)Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour: Ant
Ants complex social habits have made them a great subject for authors throughout history. Tales of African warrior ants and leaf cutters from South America are among a few of the most interesting to us. Join the Great Falls staff for story time. This program is meant for a very young audience.
Saturday, April 28, 2012(1:00 pm - 2:15 pm)Introduction to Vernal Pools: Presented by Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team As the heavy rains of spring begin, an outstanding amount of salamanders, wood frogs and other amphibians begin to migrate to vernal pools. Join Rick Ross of the Cape Ann Vernal Pool Team for a fun and informative presentation about the importance of vernal pools and what species call this unique habitat home. This presentation will include live amphibians so you will get a chance to see an up-close view of these incredible species.
Saturday, April 28, 2012(10:30 am - 2:00 pm)Visit the Investigation Station at the Front Desk!: Metamorphosis Many animals undergo a form of metamorphosis. Come explore the journey of the butterfly as it matures and participate in a craft at our reception desk.
|
Worcester County Conservation District Seeks Input on Natural Resource Concerns
Hosted by Joe Smith, Forester, District Supervisor, MACD State Commission Chairman
Thursday, March 29th 3:30-5:30pm
Harvard Forests Shaler Hall Seminar Room
324 North Main Street, Petersham
RSVP by Mar.27th to Lisa....@ma.usda.gov or 508-829-0168, ext 5.
The Worcester County Conservation District is reconvening its Local Working Group to identify the County's Conservation Needs, Critical Resource Issues and Geographic areas of concern. We ask all interested people in the County be part of this group and become a ***FRIEND of the District.
The Worcester County Conservation District is a subdivision of State Government established to address Natural Resources problems within the County. Our primary vehicle for addressing the concerns of landowners and communities is through our relationships with cooperating agencies of USDA and the Mass. Dep't of Agricultural Resources and through Farm Bill Programs. We report our findings from the Local Working Group process each fall to the Mass. State Technical Committee who steer the direction of Farm Bill Programs in Mass.
Please join us in developing an inventory of what still needs to be done in our County. Help prioritize the work load and ultimately help direct Farm Bill programs and other programs toward Natural Resource Sustainability. If you are unable to attend but would still like to provide your comments on Natural Resource Concerns in your community, please write to: WCCD, 52 Boyden Rd., Holden, MA 01520 or email Lisa....@ma.usda.gov. To learn more about the District visit our website www.worcesterconservation.org
***By attending this meeting along with a final meeting in September you will become a FRIEND of the District and are eligible to receive benefits as free passes to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Fruitlands Museum and Old Sturbridge Village; Discounted passes to Mass. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries and Chance to Win Free Passes to Davis’ Farmland and Ecotarium.
Hello Friends of the Watershed,
MRWC in partnership with the new North Quabbin Trails Association (NQTA) is pleased to help with trail work along the Millers River between Athol and South Royalston.
Green Trails (on land) are a great compliment to our Blue Trails (on water), it’s another great way to discover the river!
MRWC main support will be on Saturday 3/31 as noted below. Please contact me ASAP if you wish to participate.
Trail Service days
March 27th Tuesday 9:00 AM at YMCA, Athol, In conjunction with NQTA, AmeriCorps and MRWC.
Lopping and bow work saw along Millers River from Athol to Gulf Rd./Chestnut Hill. Bring water/snack. 3-4 hrs.
Bring Tools, gloves if you can.
March 31 Saturday at 9:00 AM, South Royalston Center (country store, Pete + Henrys). Bring Tools, gloves if you can.
Lopping and bow saw, trail cleaning along Millers. Trail was cleared last year so it will be moderate work needed. Bring water/snack. 3-4 hrs.
These are great opportunities for paddlers, fishing, equestrian and hikers to get to know the new 8 mile section along the Millers from Athol to S. Royalston to Bearsden combining the Pequoig Trail and Q+M Trails.
Again, please advise if you plan to help out, thank you.
Keith Davies
Community Outreach Coordinator, MassLIFT AmeriCorps
MGLCT Community Gardens Project/MRWC
(978) 248-9491 watershed_...@mountgrace.org
Dave Small
president
Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331
