Exploring Duxbury’s Round Pond

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Even after more than 18 years writing this column, I find there are still places fr me to discover on the South Shore. My latest ‘find is Round Pond in Duxbury. Sure, I was aware of it. In fact, I even walked there once, many years ago, when the North & South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) led an expedition to find the source of the South River (which is very likely a spring in the Round Pond area). But it wasn’t until last month that I finally took some time to explore this conservation area’s network of trails.

Round Pond is much more than just a pond. The property’s namesake – a 10,000-year old kettle hole -- lies at its center. Pine and oak woods surround the pond, and contain a number of intersecting, well-marked trails, some of which traverse wetlands via boardwalk. There are other surface waters nearby too – active cranberry bogs and reservoirs, other ponds, and even a small lake. The property comprises 170 acres in total.

According to Duxbury’s handy property guide (available on the town website), in the 1880s Round Pond was known as Cole’s Pond, and was the site of the Merry Family’s ice house. During the winter, ice from the pond was cut into blocks and stored nearby, with sawdust for insulation. Amazingly, this kept the ice intact into the spring and summer, when it was delivered to private homes. The ice operation continued into the 1940s, after which refrigerators rendered it obsolete.

The property’s “icy” history goes much farther back, though. Kettle hole ponds are formed by melting glaciers, and this one dates back to about 10,000 BCE. According to Samantha Woods, NSRWA’s Executive Director, natural ponds such as this are unusual in our area. Most of the South Shore’s ponds were formed “as a result of the industrial damming of our rivers, first to run saw and grist mills . . . and then (later) for factories.”

As far back as the 1890s, the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society began protecting and preserving the area around the pond, purchasing a total of almost 50 acres. The current trails were opened decades later, in 1986, the result of a joint effort by the Rural and Historical Society and Mass Audubon, which maintains the adjacent wildlife sanctuary at North Hill Marsh.

The trails at Round Pond are ideal for walking. Many of them are wide enough to accommodate two or more people. I encountered several dog-walkers the morning I was there, as well as a few runners. From the appearance of some of the secondary trails, it looks like mountain bikers enjoy the property as well (I’ve heard that the trails across the street are more appealing for cyclists, however). There is also a nicely-placed wooden bench overlooking the pond.

You can access Round Pond via Mayflower Street, where there is a good-sized parking area. There is also foot access from East Street and near the intersection of Elm and School Street and Tobey Garden Road. Dogs are welcome, provided that they are under control at all times, and cleaned-up-after. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, as are hunting and trapping.

by Kezia Bacon

November 2014 
 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Combatting Litter: One Street at a Time

All of a sudden, the litter was gone. For a couple years at least, I’d been riding my bike along a certain route in Duxbury, crossing a stream on Temple Street near the Camp Wing Conservation area. For all that time, there had been a beer can, a red and white bobber trailing fishing line, and some miscellaneous plastic junk, caught in the stream. It was far enough from the road that it couldn’t be reached easily by hand, but close enough that I could see it from my bike.

And then one day it was gone.

I wondered if perhaps some good citizen had waded into the stream and removed it. But I figured it was more likely Mother Nature – perhaps a heavy rain and increased the water flow and loosened the clot of trash, washing it farther downstream.

But then a few days later I believe my question was answered. I was riding down that same street when I noticed, coming from the other direction, two people and a tricked-out cart, not much larger than a child’s red wagon. It was a man and a woman, and they were poking around at the roadside. They were picking up litter! In fact, after I passed them, I turned back for a better look, and it was plain to see that their cart had been customized for the task. There were several compartments, probably to separate recyclable and redeemable matter from just-plain-trash. he cart also bore a little placard. It read, “DuxburyLitterPatrol.com”

When I got home from my ride, I looked it up. According to the website, Duxbury Litter Patrol is a group of “concerned citizens who have united in their desire to rid the streets of litter.” The membership currently consists of about 35 volunteers. That doesn’t sound like much, but that’s 35 people who are out there on a regular basis, cleaning up the streets of Duxbury!

The website explains that the organization was founded by Mary Gazzola, a longtime Duxbury resident and walking enthusiast who became disgusted by the increasing amounts of litter she noticed at the roadsides during her walks. Mary began carrying a bag with her, picking up whatever trash she came across. Recognizing that the litter problem too large for one person to handle, in 2011 she organized the first Duxbury Litter Sweep, a townwide clean-up event where Mary was able to connect with like-minded fellow residents. Duxbury Litter Patrol evolved from there.

The organization operates on a “Three E’s” platform. They hope to “Educate” people about the litter problem in town, “Enforce” litter laws, and “Eradicate” litter from the community. To give the effort some teeth, Mary worked with town manager Richard MacDonald to bring a new litter bylaw to the 2012 Town Meeting. In May of that year, Duxbury residents voted in favor of making littering a fineable offense. And thus now, “No person shall dispose of rubbish, filth, hazardous materials, or litter of any kind on any street, sidewalk, or other publicly-owned area in the Town, with the exception of the Town Disposal area.”

The bylaw is enforced by the town police as well as the Health Agent, and fines start at $100 per offense. With Thanksgiving approaching, I can’t help but think of the song and the film it was made into, with Arlo Guthrie and his Alice’s Restaurant cohorts going to court on a littering charge after their illegally-disposed waste was traced back to them via an address on a discarded envelope!

But these days, people know better than to toss trash on the roadsides, right? Right? Sadly, no. Thus, education is one of Duxbury Litter Patrol’s primary purposes. They hope to teach people how litter negatively impacts the community – destroying natural beauty, harming or killing wildlife, and diminishing water quality. Even cigarette butts can cause trouble. The streets look so much better than they aren’t cluttered with empty cans and bottles, fast food wrappers, and lottery tickets. Keeping the roadsides clean seems to work as a deterrent, as litterers are much more likely to strike in areas where there is already detritus.

Eradication of litter is a never-ending task. Duxbury Litter Patrol has made it easier for kind-hearted citizens to join the effort by offering a Adopt-A-Spot program, where families and individuals can take responsibility for a certain street, corner, or park, and keep it clear of litter, committing to a clean-up every four to six weeks. The semi-annual Duxbury Litter Sweep continues as well. This past May, volunteers collected a half-ton of trash!

You don’t have to live in Duxbury to take up the Litter Patrol crusade. It’s a pretty safe bet that in any town on the South Shore, the eradication of litter by private citizens would be welcome. Even small efforts can make a difference. The Department of Public Works in each town takes some responsibility for roadside clean-up, but they can only do so much.

There is a man in Marshfield who, in his retirement, has made it his hobby to pick up litter. He has his routes – certain spots he hits on a weekly basis. He brings truckfuls of trash and recyclables to the landfill and typically finds close to $1,000 worth of redeemable cans & bottles. No, it’s not his responsibility to clean up the roads, but the litter bothers him, so he removes it. I admire that.

If you’d like to join the Duxbury Littler Patrol effort, visit the website DuxburyLitterPatrol.com for more info, or email DuxburyLitterPatrol@gmail.com. Telephone numbers are listed online as well.

Also consider the North and South Rivers Watershed Association’s annual River Clean Up Day, which focuses on the waterways of several towns each spring. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

If you’d like to do a little roadside clean-up of your own, please consider the following safety guidelines posted on the Duxbury Litter Patrol website. And thank you, in advance, for your efforts!

• Wear bright-colored clothing so that you are easily visible to passing motorists.

• Wear gloves and use a "REACHER" or "PICK STICK" tool for hard to reach items.

• Wear sunscreen and use a DEET bug spray to ward off mosquitoes and TICKS.

• Scrub exposed skin upon returning home if you may have been in contact with poison ivy.

• Needles should be brought to the Tremont Street Fire Station for proper disposal.

• Do not attempt to pick up any hazardous material or any large, heavy items yourself. Instead, email the details to us or contact the Highway Department to have the items removed.

• It is strongly suggested to walk on one side of the street, towards traffic, then crossing the street for the return trip. There are always exceptions. Please be very alert and careful.

by Kezia Bacon, Correspondent

October 2014 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Returning to Corn Hill Woodland

A new boardwalk at Corn Hill Woodland.

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Thanks to Hurricane Irene (2011) and the brutal snowstorms of Winter 2013, many of our local conservation properties sustained serious damage. There was a lot of clean up work to do, and it took time. These Open Space Lands are often intentionally remote, so imagine what it takes to clear scores of fallen trees or repair boardwalks in areas where there is no vehicular access.

Corn Hill Woodland, a 123-acre parcel located in North Marshfield, is one property that was hit hard. In fact, after the winter storms, one of its boardwalks was actually standing on end! Prior to the storms, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association had identified Corn Hill as a property in need of rehabilitation, and in 2012 they were given permission to begin work replacing boardwalks and clearing trails. Unfortunately, some of the work had to be redone after the storms. The project was completed earlier this year, thanks in part to Summit Landscape and Mass Audubon, as well as a team of Americorps volunteers and the town of Marshfield.

I hadn’t been to Corn Hill Woodland for years, but I headed back there this August, and I was pleased to see well-marked trails, and new sections of boardwalk.

Corn Hill Woodland is a great place for a long, peaceful walk. There are number of trails, mostly through the forest. There are three loop trails, plus a spur that heads down to the salt marsh, and three additional spurs that lead to roadside trail heads. Some of the paths are quite narrow – especially if you go in the summer, when the ferns are leafed out in their entirety . . . There are places where the ferns are so lush that you can’t see the ground at all! The blazes posted just above eye level on some of the trails are extremely helpful.

Unlike some of its more popular neighbors – such as the Norris Reservation across the river -- Corn Hill is quiet. The parking area is small, and the signage is even smaller – just a wooden post at the roadside. Not many people know about it – or if they, do it’s not their first choice as a walking destination.

My favorite section of Corn Hill Woodland is quite a ways in – the loop closest to the North River. Down there you will find several small boardwalks traversing wetlands. In the warmer months, the combined effects of the salt marsh, the ferns, and the leaves on the trees make Corn Hill feel like a sea of green. The view of the river and the marshes is also quite lovely.

In autumn, the beeches near the front section of the property are a feature worth observing. They hold onto their leaves much longer than most of our other deciduous trees, so by making a trip to Corn Hill in November, you might catch a late glimpse of fall.

There are three access points for Corn Hill Woodland. Two are on Corn Hill Lane, and the other is on Union Street. If you consult the Conservation Properties Map (2002) on the Town of Marshfield’s website, you will find a basic layout of Corn Hill’s trail network, as well as the location of the parcel itself. It’s always a good idea to bring a map along, just in case. By the time you read this, there may even be a map posted there, in the on-site kiosk that the Wildlands Trust recently provided. 

by Kezia Bacon

September 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Walking with Friends

The trails at Norwell's Norris Reservation are wide enough for two people to walk side by side.

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While attending a memorial service for a friend in August, it occurred to me how walking together – and the conversation that usually takes place while we’re on foot and side by side – tends to enhance relationships. It might be two friends, or it might be romantic partners, or it might be some other configuration, via family or work. But especially when these walks become a regular happening, when they provide a weekly (or monthly or quarterly . . . ) time to check in with one another, the two people involved not only grow closer to each other, but also gain valuable insight into their own selves.

One of the eulogists for my friend related a story along those lines. She and our mutual friend had gotten to know each other when their children were infants -- new mothers pushing their strollers together around town. In later years, they would meet for walks in the woods, or on the beach, and their “walkies” (spoken in a British accent) became a steady and reliable way to keep in touch, and help one another remain grounded as they navigated the various channels through which their lives led them. I was touched by the story, and – since I too have been fortunate to develop a number of friendships by walking together -- it got me wondering if this is universal theme.

I suspect that it has something to do with one’s mind being dually occupied. Walking requires a certain amount of energy. The conversation often fuels the steps, but at the same time, the steps fuel the conversation. It’s different from sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee together. Perhaps it’s because we’re not looking at each other – instead we’re watching where we are going. There is a sense of freedom – to let the mind wander, to try out new ideas, perhaps saying them aloud for the first time. Some of my most memorable -- and revelatory -- conversations have taken place on foot.

Autumn is probably my favorite time for walking. It’s neither too hot nor too cold. It’s neither muddy nor buggy. And the fields and forests tend to be really pretty – at least around here, as the leaves and grasses turn color and begin to fall.

The list that follows includes some of my favorite places to walk with a friend. These spots feature trails that are – at least some of the time – wide enough for two (conversation can become awkward when there is a leader and a follower). And they are large enough that one can take a decent, hour-long walk without retracing one’s steps. All feature beautiful landscapes as well. Pavement – while often convenient -- has a distinctly different feel from sand or grass or the forest floor.

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary - Winslow Cemetery Road, Marshfield. Fields, forests, boardwalks through a red maple swamp, plus the Green Harbor River. Managed by Mass Audubon.

Norris Reservation - Dover Street, Norwell. Numerous views of the North River and Second Herring Brook, with both cart paths and woodland trails. Managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

Nelson Memorial Forest/Phillips Farm Preserve - Union Street, Marshfield. Wide logging trails and narrower paths through forest with views of the salt marsh and the North River. Managed by New England Forestry Foundation and Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts.

North Hill Marsh, Duxbury – Mayflower Street, Duxbury. Woodlands, wetlands and varying types of trails around bogs and a large, bird-friendly pond. Managed by Mass Audubon.

Willow Brook Farm Preserve – 99 Barker Street, Pembroke. A former farm, now mostly wooded, with boardwalks and also a meadow trail. Managed by and Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Luddams Ford/Indian Head River trails - Elm Street, Hanover. Follow the trail along a former railroad bed up one side of the Indian Head River. Take short detours toward the water for spectacular views. Managed by the Town of Hanover.

Whitney and Thayer Woods – Howes Lane, Cohasset. A huge network of cart paths and wooded trails, featuring glacial erratics (huge boulders) and some truly impressive rhododendrons. Managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

World’s End – Martin’s Lane, Hingham. This place has almost everything. Views of the ocean, the marsh, and Boston. Trails through the woods and across fields and along the shore. Wide trails, narrow trails, cart paths. Managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

Humarock/Rexhame Beach – Scituate and Marshfield. Many local beaches, due to geography, tidal restraints, or property lines, don’t permit much of a walk. But whether you enter from Humarock, near Fourth Cliff, or Marshfield, via Rexhame Beach, you will be able to cover a lot of ground.

Green Harbor/Duxbury Beach – Marshfield and Duxbury. High tide will impede your progress from Green Harbor, and without a sticker you will have to park at the inland side of the Powder Point Bridge, but if you time it right, you can walk for miles on what is probably the area’s most beautiful beach.

by Kezia Bacon

August 2014 
 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Climbing Mount Greylock

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My parents grew up in Adams, Massachusetts, in the northwest corner of the Berkshires. Adams is noteworthy for its textile mills (now mostly dormant); as the birthplace of suffragist Susan B. Anthony; and for Mount Greylock, which is the tallest mountain in the state. As a child, I enjoyed visiting its summit with my extended family, both by car and on foot.

That was back in the days when my grandparents were alive. During our visits, it seemed I was always discovering new relatives -- a seemingly endless parade of aunts and uncles and third cousins, twice removed. Our visits to Adams have tapered off dramatically now that only a handful of family members still live there.

Abel, my son, has heard about Adams for as long as he can remember – mostly through stories told by his grandparents. But other than a funeral he attended when he was 18 months old, until this summer he had never experienced it. He is now eight, and he was enthusiastic about a Family History tour, so we planned an excursion for a few days in July – my son, my parents, and me.

The idea was to tour the town and point out all the landmarks, to visit Abel’s Great-Great Aunt Florence (aka Cioci Flo), and if the weather permitted, to climb Mount Greylock. We lucked into a warm sunny day that was only moderately muggy. Not bad for mid-July.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has done a great job making Greylock accessible. I found, online, a set of recommended hikes, and was able to compare distance, duration, and level of difficulty to find a trail suitable for an 8-year old, his mother, and his grandparents. (Trail maps are also available at Visitor Centers in Lanesborough and North Adams.) We chose the Cheshire Harbor Trail, which begins in the foothills, and winds its way up the mountain for about three miles before connecting with the Appalachian Trail for the final mile to the summit.

I won’t say it was easy. It was a steady uphill climb over uneven terrain. Since it had poured buckets the night before, there were a lot of wet patches that we had to tiptoe over, or around, to avoid slipping.

But it wasn’t super-difficult either. My son, who wasn’t quite sure he would like this thing called hiking, rose to the challenge. There were moments of boredom for sure (a four-hour uphill hike is asking a lot of a child), but there were rewards. We had been telling Abel about the Appalachian Trail (AT), which runs from Georgia to Maine, and its thru-hikers – the men and women who traverse the entire thing. Halfway up the Greylock section of the AT, we were fortunate to meet a couple of them. “Cocoa,” a Minnesota-based student at Williams College nearby, had been hiking since April with his brother, “Banyan.” After sharing with us some of the highlights (care packages) and low points (norovirus) of their journey, they bestowed upon Abel his own trail name: Dragonslayer. It was inspiring to meet these young men who had been hiking -- day-in, day-out -- for months, and still had quite a journey ahead of them.

We had set out on the trail at 10am, and by 1 o’clock we were eager to get to the top, to have lunch. As tired as we were, we knew we were close when all we could see above us was sky. Before heading into Bascom Lodge, we went up to the Veterans War Memorial Tower, and then over to an observation area, to peer down over Adams from 3,491 feet. We could see Cioci Flo’s house, as well as the homes of several other family members past and present. Then it was time to eat. Food always seems to taste better when you’ve worked hard.

After lunch, and a quick exploration of the lodge, we were ready to head back down. We were hoping it would be a quicker descent – and it was, but only by an hour or so. Those wet spots proved to be even more challenging on the down slope. When we reached the car just before 5 o’clock, seven hours and who knows how many steps after we’d started, we all felt a sense of accomplishment. Abel said he would like to do it again, and also climb other mountains, but “not this summer, okay?”

That evening, after picking up take-out dinner, we lounged in our hiking clothes on the porch of our hotel – boots off, feet bare – relishing our experiences. It had been a very pleasant day, filled with conversation, challenge, new terrain and beautiful scenery – a great way to spend time together.

The mountains here in Massachusetts are not all that tall. But especially for families with beginning hikers, they may pose a suitable challenge. Friends have recommended Sugarloaf (South Deerfield), Norwottuck (South Hadley), Wachusett (Princeton), and Mt. Tom (Easthampton), so perhaps one of those will be next on our itinerary.

 by Kezia Bacon 

July 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

No-Fuss River Excursions

The author and her paddle board at the Keville Bridge on the South River.

Every year, as spring turns into summer, I find myself drawn to the North and South Rivers. The marsh is vibrant green, the water reflects the bright blue sky, and the breezes are just right for cooling off on a hot day. Of course, actually coordinating a trip on the rivers with my canoe or kayak is another story! Weather, tides, personal schedules, and transportation are all part of the planning process, not to mention gathering my gear and making sure it’s still in working order. Occasionally everything falls into place and I find myself sitting happily in my boat, paddling up- (or down-) stream, promising myself I will not let so much time go by before the next excursion.

If you’re interested in seeing what our local rivers are all about, but maybe not-so-interested in the logistics of getting there, you might consider a guided, outfitted class or trip. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) has made such trips a part of their activity roster in the last few years. They offer both lessons and guided tours, with equipment included. It’s totally worth the cost, to have someone else provide your equipment and show you around!

Below is a listing of what the NSRWA is offering this summer. If you’d like to experience the beauty and serenity of the North or South River with a minimum of fuss, here’s your chance!

Learn To Kayak

Friday July 25, 12-2pm

Sunday, August 10, 12-2pm

Coastal Kayak Educators provides all equipment, as well as expert group instruction for children and adults ages 8 and up in this 2.5-hour course (children must be accompanied by an adult). Meet at the Union Street Bridge Conservation Area in Marshfield and learn the basics of kayaking on the North River, with an emphasis on safety. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Scenic North River Tours

Saturday July 26, 1-3 pm

Sunday, August 3 – 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday, August 23 – 12:30-2:30pm

This tour is recommended for kayakers with some experience, ages 8 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Coastal Kayak Educators provides all equipment, and leads the group on a 2-hour tour of river, beginning at the Union Street Bridge in Marshfield. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Historic North River Kayaking Tour

Sunday, August 24, 11am-3pm

For ages 8 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult), and led by Coastal Kayak Educators, this is a leisurely 8.5-mile paddling excursion. It will delve into the North River’s role in the lives of Native Americans, colonial shipbuilders, the industrial revolution, and the modern day era, and will examine how its ecology has changed throughout time. The tour begins at the Union Street Bridge Conservation Area in Marshfield. All equipment is provided, and there will be a lunch break at Couch Beach in Marshfield. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Stand Up Paddling Lessons on the South River

Thursday July 17 at 6pm

Monday Aug 4 at 6pm

Monday Aug 18 at 6pm

This 1.5 hour lesson on the South River was one of the best of my recent “new experiences,” and much easier than I anticipated. Learn to stand up paddle (SUP) with the NSRWA and Luminate Surf & Skate on the river and marsh creeks near Rexhame Beach in Marshfield. All equipment is provided. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

by Kezia Bacon, Correspondent

June, 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Science Fridays in the ‘Shed

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For those of us with school age children, summer vacation presents both joys and challenges. It can be a welcome reprieve, not having to adhere to the bus and school routine five days a week. On the other hand, the relaxed schedule can be a mixed blessing: lots of opportunities to do those things for which we haven’t had time all year, but also lots of hours to fill.

If, like me, you’re home at least part-time with your kid(s) during these 10-or-so weeks, you may be looking for new ways to spend your days. Especially mid-summer, after the novelty of not having to rush out the door in the morning has worn off, and the word “bored” is showing up in conversations, you may be wondering what’s out there. We are fortunate, here on the South Shore, to have nearly endless options.  

There are camps, there are day programs, there are all sorts of events offered through local libraries and recreation departments. Blueberry picking (Scituate, Hanson) is always a favorite of ours, as are group explorations of conservation areas where the kids can enjoy unstructured play. The places we’ve enjoyed most so far, with our crew of friends (ages 5-10) and their parents, are Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke, Couch Beach (via Couch Cemetery) in North Marshfield, and the Norris Reservation in Norwell. All offer well-shaded trails and a respite from the summer heat.

One relatively new option on the local scene is offered by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA): a series of outdoors explorations for families otherwise known as Science Fridays in the ‘Shed.

Last year my son and I participated in the very first Science Friday. We joined a small group of parents and children, along with Samantha Woods and Sara Grady from the NSRWA, and hiked out from Third Cliff in Scituate to The Spit at the mouth of the North River. Along the way, we tested the salinity of marsh creeks, learned about some of the grasses and other vegetation that grows in the zone between the land and the sea, and kept our eyes open for shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. The trip was timed for low tide, so we could spend most of our time checking out the tide pools – familiarizing ourselves with the creatures and plants that make their home among the rocks at the edge of the ocean.

This year the NSRWA has expanded its Science Friday program. There will be four trips this summer, each on a Friday morning from 10-12.

On July 11^th, you can learn about freshwater tributaries at the Norris Reservation in Norwell, through which Second Herring Brook flows as it makes its way to the North River.

On July 18^th, NSRWA returns to The Spit in Scituate for tidepooling and barrier beach geology.

On July 25^th, they will be exploring the North River marshes, via the Messer Conservation Area, off Union Street in North Marshfield.

And on August 15^th, there will be a freshwater tidal exploration on the Indian Head River, at the Hanover Canoe Launch.

All of the programs are designed to introduce children and their families to the different habitats and ecology within the North and South Rivers watershed, aka “the ‘shed.” Participants will be actively engaged in collecting field data, and will use scientific sampling gear to analyze water quality and identify plants and animals.

Pre-registration is required. The best way is to sign up online at www.nsrwa.org. The cost is $5 per person for NSRWA members, $10 for non-members, and – this is the best part – no charge for kids 12 and under.

Last year the program sold out, so if you’re interested, consider signing up right away. If your children are at all interested in natural history, ecology, or outdoor exploration, you’ll be glad you did.

 by Kezia Bacon 

May 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Lost in the Woods

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A view of the Indian Head River from the Hanover side.

 We had been walking in the forest for more than an hour. We were still on a trail, but it did not seem to be headed in the right direction . . . or in any particular direction. A few times we’d had to retrace our steps: either the trail would end in a No Trespassing sign, or in someone’s back yard, or it would disappear entirely. We were lost in the woods.

Not that we were entirely lost! We had followed a very clear path up one side of the Indian Head River in Hanover. We had crossed the river at State Street in Hanson, and followed a trail back into the woods in Pembroke, with the intention of finding our way into the Wildlands Trusts’s Tucker Preserve, which wasn’t all that far downstream. But we never found it. So we sort-of knew where we were, but not really.

This was a familiar predicament. I’d walked the inviting, scenic trails along the Indian Head River before. At least once, I’d found my way back to the parking area on West Elm Street, via the 78-acre Tucker Preserve. But once or maybe twice before, I’d been similarly lost: on a trail, but not the right trail.

The landmarks were familiar – I’d been there before. But I couldn’t be sure if they were the right kind of familiar. Just because we recognize something doesn’t mean it’s what we’re looking for.

I went away recently for a long weekend: a yoga retreat at Kripalu, in the Berkshires. I spent my afternoons on the hiking trails in the mountains behind the retreat center. I’d been given a map when I arrived. It included not only the mileage of various trails, but also the level of difficulty and an estimation of the time required to complete each hike. Map in pocket, I was far from lost.

Looking out on Monks Pond.

 The first day, I chose the trail to Monks Pond. It was a steady uphill climb, and rather muddy. I really had to pay attention, so I wouldn’t slip. One of my objectives for my time away was to gain some perspective. What would I like to achieve, going forward, and what would I need to change, in order to get there? The muddy uphill path seemed like an apt metaphor. I tend to choose the more challenging routes. I make things harder for myself than they need to be. And thus over time, certain kinds of suffering become familiar. It’s like being on that trail that leads to nowhere: it’s not the right trail, but it’s familiar, so it takes me a while to figure out that I need to find a different route.

Standing in a stream, attempting to clean the mud off my boots.

Back to the Indian Head River. So we were lost in the woods. We had at least two options. One was to attempt to retrace our steps, and hope to find the trail we’d missed before. At worst, we could cross the river again at State Street and go back the way we came. Another option was to consult our smart phones. I’d been meaning to download a trail GPS app, but I hadn’t yet. However I did have several, more general, street mapping apps. Quickly we determined that while we were nowhere near the Tucker Preserve, we were quite close to houses and roads. We chose a back yard and very quickly passed through it, to the street. It wasn’t quite so pleasant, walking at the roadside instead of in the forest, but at least we knew where we were going. And twenty minutes later, we were back to our cars. I have since downloaded a map.

On the South Shore, we can get lost in the woods, but how lost are we really? We don’t have any wilderness here. Even our largest conservation parcels aren’t all that big. We follow a trail, and even if we lose your way, we eventually come upon  a house or a road. As soon as we find civilization, we can find our way back home.

I’ll be heading back to the Indian Head River soon. Now that I’ve been lost there at least twice, I am determined to get my bearings and learn the layout of the intersecting conservation properties that line its banks. Next time I’ll start on the Pembroke side, though, and walk from the fish ladder, into the woods where I know there’s a plainly-marked trailhead for the Tucker Preserve. Also next time, I’ll be sure to bring my map.

 by Kezia Bacon

April 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Learning About The Water Cycle

My son is in second grade, and each day when he comes home from school, one of the first things I do is check his backpack to see what the teacher has sent home. There is homework, of course, and often a notice from the school, and usually there is a sheaf of papers representing work recently completed in class. Needless to say, as this is work designed for 7- and 8-year olds, for me, it’s mostly review. But every so often I too get to learn something from the Second Grade curriculum.

In March, Abel brought home some worksheets about the water cycle. One night he had to cut out pictures of each phase of the cycle, and glue them to another page in the proper order. They had covered this in class earlier that day, so Abel understood the concepts. I suspect my memory is faulty, but I couldn’t recall learning about the water cycle myself until adulthood. I was so pleased that second graders were already learning basic earth science!

I’m sure I’m not the only one whose memories of Earth Science have grown hazy. Thus I offer this quick primer.

There are four phases to the water cycle: condensation, precipitation, accumulation and evaporation.

• Condensation, aka Forming Clouds - There is water vapor in the air. When it rises and meets cooler air, it turns into water droplets that form clouds.

• Precipitation, aka Water Falling to the Earth – The clouds gather more and more water as they are moved by the wind. This liquid is constantly forming and evaporating within the clouds, and when the conditions are right, it will fall to earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail.

• Accumulation, or Forming Bodies of Water – The water that falls to the earth via precipitation collects either as surface water (oceans, rivers, lakes, puddles) or groundwater (filtered through the land, and stored within the ground).

• Evaporation, or Forming Water Vapor – The warmth of the sun converts both surface water and groundwater to water vapor. These tiny droplets are carried up into the sky by rising warm air. As they reach the cooler air, condensation begins, and the cycle continues.

To drive these concepts home, Abel’s school brought in the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) for a program known as “Water All Around You.” The NSRWA set up six stations in the school cafeteria, each one addressing a different aspect of the water cycle.

There was a station at which students answered the question “Where in the watershed are you?” A watershed is an area of land in which all of the water that falls will drain to a specific place. For example, Abel’s elementary school is within the South River watershed, so all the rain that falls within that area eventually drains to the South River. The students looked at topographic maps of the town and learned how and where the water flows after it falls from the sky.

They also learned about water quality – finding out about what causes pollution, as well as the natural processes within the earth that clean the water, and the manmade processes (wastewater treatment plants) that are equally essential. Through a see-through acrylic groundwater simulator, they saw how contamination from something like a faulty septic system might flow through the land and into the groundwater. They even got to create mini filtration systems, with plastic bottles and coffee filters, to see first-hand how swamp water can be filtered clean.

In addition, they learned how water flows over the land. Using a model of a storm drain, parent volunteers demonstrated how things like motor oil, fertilizer, road salt, animal waste, and cigarette butts all get washed into the road and eventually flow, untreated, into the nearest body of water.

Abel’s favorite station was the taste test. He and his classmates sampled tap water, distilled water, and bottled water, to see how they varied in flavor. They made note of their observations and then discussed which water source would be the safest to drink. As for taste, the general consensus was that Marshfield water tasted best.

A final station educated the second graders about managing water quantity, and explained to them how they could conserve water in their everyday lives. They were asked to figure out how many household tasks they could complete, using 65 gallons of water per day (the state-recommended maximum consumption, to ensure that there is enough water for public safety and household usage). Practicing their math skills, the students found that they couldn't water their lawns, which can take thousands of gallons a day. 

The NSRWA offers “Water All Around You” to towns that participate in its Greenscapes program, which educates citizens, young and old, about water conservation. To date, more than 12,000 of students across the South Shore have participated, either at the second grade or fifth grade level. The program is a success because so many local towns have participated.

NSRWA Executive Director Samantha Woods says, "We need to change our water consciousness. The majority of our citizens don't know where their water comes from, what is the most common source of water pollution or what the term ‘watershed’ means. Upcoming generations will be faced with more water challenges than ever before. ‘Water All Around You’ is meant to remedy this lack of knowledge by bringing water to the classroom and when possible to get children into their watershed. Our goal is to ensure that every child in the South Shore region, at least once in their school career, learns what a watershed is, how we can protect it and where their own water comes from."

by Kezia Bacon

March 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A Sure Sign of Spring

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Red Winged Blackbird (male).

 Which bird do you associate with the arrival of spring? The robin, right? It turns out that the appearance of a robin here on the South Shore is not an indication that spring is on its way. However spying a red-winged blackbird at your feeder: now that’s a different story.

Usually in early March, male red-winged blackbirds return to their breeding grounds, to prepare for the arrival of the females. Their aim is stake out, and guard, the best territory, so as to attract the most appealing mate.

My father likes to tell a story about a city-dwelling friend, who after hearing my dad’s excitement about the arrival of red-winged blackbirds on our deck, inquired “What do they look like?”

“Well,” said my dad, stating the obvious, “They are black birds, and they have a patch red on their wings.”

So yes, the name of the red-winged blackbird is indeed an apt descriptor. It is a medium-sized bird, just under two ounces in weight, and about 8.75 inches in length, with a 13-inch wingspan. Males are glossy black in color, with red and yellow badges, or “epaulettes,” on their shoulders, which they can display or conceal as needed. Females are less bold in color, usually a streaked dark brown, often with white above the eyes.

In spring, they are hard to miss – especially the males, who create quite a racket in their quest to be noticed by potential mates. Males will perch in high places and sing “Oak-a-ree!” or “Conk-la-ree!” all day long. Females are more apt to gather food and tend to the nest.

I live a stone’s throw from the Green Harbor River. In my back yard, a freshwater marsh divides the upland from a wide, pond-like section of the watercourse. This is prime habitat for red-winged blackbirds, who during the breeding season, favor marshes (both salt and fresh), rivers and streams, damp scrubby roadsides, and even the manmade ponds on golf courses. In winter, they might choose a drier habitat, such as an agricultural field, a wild meadow, or a grassy pasture.

So when they arrive here in spring, after wintering in warmer climes, they set about breeding and nesting. First the males each establish a territory. Next, when the females arrive, the males perch in prominent places, show off their colorful wing patches, and sing. Mate selection is undertaken by the females, but it’s not exclusive. A male may have up to fifteen different female mates at one time, and in a given season, most male red-winged blackbirds have at least two females nesting in their territory. Males actively defend their dominion. They will chase other birds away, fend off nest predators, and if they feel threatened, even harass large mammals including humans.

The females each select a site on which to build a nest. They use mud, grass and decayed vegetation to create a small cup which is seated low among densely-vegetated marsh grass, shrubs or trees. Females typically lay 3-6 eggs, which are pale blue-green or gray in color. After about 12 days of incubation, the fledglings hatch and the mother stays close-by for five weeks to feed them.

The diet of the red-winged blackbird varies. During the breeding season it is rich in protein, and includes insects like beetles, moths, grasshoppers, caterpillars and grubs. At other times of year, seeds and grains are staples.

The range of the red-winged blackbird spans the entire continental United States, most of Canada, and as far south as El Salvador, but the more highly populated areas are the Northeast, Midwest and the western US. Outside of nesting season, they congregate in extremely large flocks (think: millions), often with other types of blackbirds or starlings. They migrate with the seasons, concentrating where food and water are abundant.

As March approaches, the return of the red-winged blackbirds is nigh. Keep an eye out for brightly-colored males, who will bring some light and warmth to these dark, cold, dreary days, not only in a visual sense, but in a spiritual one as well. These shiny black birds with their patches of red and/or yellow on the shoulder are a sure sign of spring!

Sources:

http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/rwblackbird.htm

http://birds.audubon.org/species/redbla3

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-winged_blackbird/lifehistory

by Kezia Bacon, February 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com