Introducing the Hoyt-Hall Preserve

Long Tom Pond

-->We’ve been awaiting this moment for more than 15 years. We’ve read about grant applications and land purchases. We’ve observed survey tape on trees, and witnessed trails being carved out of the forest. When red and blue blazes appeared at woodland intersections and signs went up in the parking area, we knew it was imminent. And then last month it finally happened. The Wildlands Trust officially opened its Hoyt-Hall Preserve on Careswell Street in southern Marshfield!

This isn’t just any nature preserve. First of all, it’s large – 123 acres. Secondly it’s diverse – a large pond surrounded by freshwater wetlands, red maple swamp, and mature forest, with numerous walking trails, some centuries old. And third, it’s beautiful: for starters, check out the different ways the sun, clouds and surrounding vegetation reflect off Long Tom Pond. Plus, the property is easily accessible, with a parking area right on Route 139.

The opening of the Hoyt-Hall Preserve represents years of determined effort by The Wildlands Trust, a Plymouth-based non-profit organization that conserves and protects land throughout southeastern Massachusetts. When the Wildlands Trust acquired the property in 2000  -- the generous donor prefers to remain anonymous – it was clear that it was going to be “a project.” Some trails already existed – such as colonial-era cart paths and cranberry bog causeways – but they were overgrown with thorns and briers and very much in need of clearing. Other trails had to be plotted outright. Plus there were streams that needed crossing and brush that had to be cut back. It was a huge job. But over time, the Wildlands Trust’s stewardship crew and its volunteer Trailblazer team completed the task. Final touches included the installation of fence and signage. In addition, the Marshfield DPW graded and graveled the parking area.

A more vexing challenge was finding a way to create a circuit trail within the preserve. Because of the layout of the property – specifically the pond and wetlands at its center – there was no clear way to connect various trail spurs without crossing sensitive areas. Fortunately a solution became evident after the Town of Marshfield purchased adjacent land to protect its drinking water supply. The acquisition included a narrow slice of upland along the preserve’s northern border, with just enough room for a trail.

It is collaborations such as these that make the Hoyt-Hall Preserve a noteworthy achievement. The majority of the land is owned and managed by the Wildlands Trust, but some of the trails cross other quasi-public properties such as the Historic Winslow House, and the Old Colony Railroad. Without these extensions, it would be difficult for the public to fully experience and appreciate all that the preserve has to offer. Some of the trail work and other property enhancements were funded with a grant from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Wildlands Trust aptly considers the Hoyt-Hall Preserve as one of its showcase properties -- a hidden gem. Its beauty is reason enough to go see it, but the land is also rich in history, a fact that is sure to attract additional visitors. Before European settlers arrived on our shores, the area was used every summer by Wampanoag tribes, who traveled seasonally from Lakeville and Middleboro to set up camp and hunt for shellfish along Wharf Creek. A portion of King Philip’s Path passes through the preserve.

In the 1630s, the preserve and its surroundings were among the lands granted to Governor Edward Winslow. Over time the property was parceled out and cleared for farming, with many of the trees sold to the local shipbuilding industry. While originally Long Tom Pond was part of Duxbury Bay’s tidal saltmarsh, during this time it was dammed in, resulting in a conversion to a freshwater ecosystem that the farms eventually would use as a water supply. More recently, a portion of the area was made into cranberry bogs. But even that was long ago. Forests and swamps have reclaimed their territory, although portions of the Pilgrim Trail (originally a Wampanoag byway; later Green’s Harbor Path, the first court-ordered road in Plymouth Colony) skirt the property’s northern border. You can even walk part of Old Careswell Street, which was rerouted in the 1930s. Look for patches of asphalt along the pond’s southern edge.

Since it opened, the Hoyt-Hall Preserve has attracted quite a number of visitors. There is a large map and an account of the property’s history posted in the parking area, or you can download a detailed map from the Wildlands Trust’s website (www.wildlandstrust.org). The main trail, which surrounds the pond and is marked with red blazes, might take you an hour to traverse. It’s also worth investigating the spur trail to the Historic Winslow House (its blazes are blue). Additional trails along the western border lead to the Old Colony Railroad bed, which connects the Black Mount neighborhood to Route 139. Some of these are marked in white, but consider this the “adventure” portion of your visit, as some guesswork will be required to circle back to the main trail.

If you’re willing to portage a canoe or kayak about 450 feet from the parking area, you can launch your boat on the pond. Also, be sure to check out the old stone cistern along the pond’s eastern edge, another relic from the area’s farming days. And I understand that birders are going to love this place. There’s been talk of an American bittern sighting, which is apparently quite rare.

You’ll find the Hoyt-Hall Preserve on Route 139/Careswell Street in Marshfield, south of Webster Street and diagonally across from Colby Hewitt Lane. The parking area easily holds about 6 cars, but I’ve seen more than ten packed in on particularly pleasant days. There is also limited access on foot via the cul de sac at the end of Pilgrim Trail, as well as the Old Colony Railroad access points on Steamboat Drive and across from South Point Lane.

by Kezia Bacon

November 2016

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Celebrate 125 Years of Land Conservation

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One of the main walking trails at the Norris Reservation in Norwell.

It’s a big year for anniversaries, at least in the realm of land conservation. Massachusetts Audubon celebrated its 100^th birthday this year, as did the National Parks Service. 2016 also marks a milestone for The Trustees (formerly The Trustees of Reservations), a land trust here in the Bay State that currently oversees 115 properties and well over 25,000 acres. The Trustees has the longest history of these three, with 125 years under its belt thus far.

As part of its yearlong celebration, The Trustees is offering free admission to its properties on certain holidays this fall. On Veteran’s Day (Friday, November 11^th) all veterans, active and retired military, and their families are invited to visit any of The Trustees' properties for free. And on “Green Friday” (November 25, the day after Thanksgiving), admission to all of The Trustees’ outdoor properties is free for everyone; free parking too! The Trustees is joining REI and other earth-friendly organizations to encourage people to skip the mall on Black Friday, and “Opt Outside” instead.

There are eight Trustees properties on the South Shore so far. These include Two Mile Reservation in Marshfield, The Norris Reservation in Norwell, and The Holmes Reservation in Plymouth, as well as the Lyman Reserve in Plymouth, Wareham and Bourne, World’s End and Weir River Farm in Hingham, and Turkey Hill/Whitney & Thayer Woods in Cohasset and Hingham. Some of these are quite impressive, others more understated, but all are worth your time for a visit, especially if you're in the mood for a scenic walk.

In addition, there are Trustees properties statewide, from Dune’s Edge campground in Provincetown to Field Farm and Mountain Meadow Reserve in Williamstown. There are six properties on Martha’s Vineyard alone, another on Nantucket, and quite a few on Cape Ann and Cape Cod. No matter where you go in Massachusetts, there is a Trustees property nearby. Some of these nature preserves are on mountains; others are beachfront. There are historic estates with formal gardens, as well as restored and working farms. There’s even a place to view dinosaur footprints! You can locate them all – using various search options – by visiting the The Trustees' website. http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/

The organization that became today’s Trustees got its start around 1890. Charles Eliot, a landscape architect, noticed that the landscape around Boston was quickly transforming from rural to industrial. He saw the virtue of setting aside certain “special places” in the same way the Boston Public Library and the Museum of Fine Arts – both founded around that time – made books and artworks available to the public. More importantly, these lands would be protected for posterity, to be enjoyed and appreciated by successive generations.

Thanks to Eliot’s campaign, in 1891, Massachusetts Governor William Eustis Russell, signed an act into law that would do just that. The Trustees for Public Reservations was created, for the purpose of “acquiring, holding, arranging, maintaining and opening to the public, under suitable regulations, beautiful and historical places and tracts of land within this Commonwealth.”

The first property acquired (1892) was Virginia Woods in Stoneham, which was later transferred to the Metropolitan District Commission. The places that have been with TTOR the longest are Mount Ann Park in Gloucester and Rocky Narrows in Sherborn, both dating to 1897. Collectively, the 115 properties that The Trustees currently maintains represent quite a lot of behind-the scenes effort. Welcoming a piece of land into the fold generally requires years of work – bringing together landowners and funding sources to complete acquisition, and then preparing the property for public use. Not to mention maintaining it! Do yourself a favor and check out one of The Trustees’ properties this fall.

Another way to mark The Trustees’ anniversary is to put some mileage on your walking shoes or hiking boots. Its’s Hike 125 Challenge encourages you to tour its properties on foot by logging 125 Trustees trail miles through December 31. There is a webpage dedicated to marking your progress, and there will be special prize drawings for different levels of achievements. Plus anyone completing the challenge receives a custom car sticker and bragging rights. For more information, visit http://www.hiketrustees.org/

by Kezia Bacon, October 2016

 

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

The Province Lands

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Approaching Race Point in Provincetown

Imagine peering out from a single vantage point and being able to see the entire coast of Massachusetts Bay! You’ve observed our state’s coastline on maps. Those same contours are visible to the naked eye from the foot of Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. I would guess that the view from the top of the 252-foot tower is even more impressive!

I was in P-town for work recently, and was fortunate to have some time to explore. I’ve always loved the drive out Route 6 to the very end of Cape Cod – the shallow lake on one side, the cottages on the other, the gigantic rolling dunes that stand in stark contrast to the water and the sky. The eastern-most tip of the state is home to the Cape Cod National Seashore, with its many outposts. Spanning sections of Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown, this National Park is comprised of 44,600 acres. Much of it is sandy beach and dunes, but there are also forests, ponds, swamps and marshes, and plenty of well-marked trails.

I was in the mood for a walk, so I made my way to the Province Lands and Race Point, which are clustered together in the northern part of P-town. It’s an appealing destination for walking, jogging, or biking -- a 5.45 mile paved loop trail traverses ponds, wooded areas and dunes, connecting the Province Lands Visitor Center and the area known as Beech Forest. In addition, there are shorter spur trails to Herring Cove Beach and to Race Point. There are large parking areas at all four stops, each free of charge except for Herring Cove (where in season, there is a fee).

As I was traveling on foot, I didn’t have time to see it all before sunset. Wishing I’d brought my bike, I settled for a 3-mile, out-and-back route from the Province Lands to Race Point, along with a plan to return the next day to walk a different section.

What I wanted to see most was the Province Lands dunes, which vary in height from 30 to over 100 feet. There are two types of sand dunes in the National Seashore. Linear dunes -- or foredunes – form just behind the beach, and serve as barriers to protect the more fragile ecosystems behind them from the force of the ocean and its winds. Parabolic dunes sit farther inland, and are much more extensive. Hollowed out by the wind, they create a succession of horseshoe shapes – waves of sand, some bare, some vegetated.

I was drawn to the dunes because I am intrigued by their variability. They are constantly in flux. While many of the sand dunes in the Province Lands are now relatively stable, some move as much as ten feet per year.

In his book Cape Cod, Thoreau likened the Cape to an upraised arm, bent at the elbow, with Provincetown as its fist. The formation of lands that comprise P-town is relatively recent in geologic terms. They developed about 5,000 years ago, as wind and currents along the shore moved sand and gravel northward. While the outer beach “arm” was reduced to nearly half its width, the area inside the “fist” grew and even developed “fingers.” 

It’s hard to imagine, but accounts from the Pilgrims indicate that 97% of the land at Provincetown was once covered by dense vegetation and mature forest. So even though the coastal sands were shifting at a relatively rapid pace, they were anchored at center by trees and shrubs. However by the time Thoreau completed his long walk to the tip of Cape Cod (1850), P-town was almost barren. Thoreau likened it to a desert.

Why the change? When European settlers arrived in the 1600s, they used a lot of wood – for homes and other buildings, plus fences, watercraft, carts. They used wood for fuel as well, and grazed their livestock on grasses and other low-lying vegetation. They removed trees, shrubs and grasses at a furious pace -- faster than they could regenerate, and thus in time, P-town was laid bare. With nothing left to anchor it, the sand blew everywhere, threatening at times to bury the town.

Eventually the settlers saw the benefits of limiting the removal of vegetation, and also learned that planting grass and shrubs would help to curb erosion. Such conservation efforts have been in practice now for well over 100 years, so quite a bit of the area is now stabilized. The National Park Service continues to plant beach grass, and promote the long-term growth of hardy bushes and trees.

I find this sort of history fascinating. It’s a common-enough story. People arrive at a place, mark their mark on it, and eventually do some damage. If the damage is extensive enough that it impacts their world to a negative degree, they may see fit to find a solution. Better still, a way to undo the damage. If they’re smart and forward-thinking, they even take measures to prevent or at least delay further damage.

A visit to the Province Lands and Race Point is well worth the trip to the outer reaches of the Cape. You can learn more by visiting the National Parks website for the Cape Cod National Seashore at https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm

Note to cyclists: Because of the terrain – steep hills, sharp curves, low tunnels and the likelihood of sand, water, or other hazards on the trail, the speed limit in this section of the National Seashore is 10mph. That’s plenty fast for sightseers and for families with young children, but probably not a good fit for a cyclist in search of a workout. 

by Kezia Bacon

September 2016 

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A Century of National Parks

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Dawn on the Kaibab Trail at the Grand Canyon.

This summer the National Park Service of the United States celebrated its 100^th birthday. A century ago, on August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created a federal bureau within the Department of the Interior to oversee the country’s already-existing 35 national parks and monuments, as well as any additional going forward. One hundred years later, that number has grown to 413. This includes national parks and monuments, as well as properties with a variety of other “national” classifications, such as battlefields, historic sites, rivers and seashores. To mark the centennial, this year on August 25^th, President Obama designated 87,500 acres in Maine as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Four-hundred-thirteen isn’t a huge number. It’s entirely possible that a person could visit every single one of our national park properties in a lifetime. (Ambitious, but still possible.) While I doubt I’ll make it to all 413 (or more, as there’s a good chance the number will continue to rise) it’s fun to contemplate which parks I might like to see next, and why.

Why do we have national parks? They preserve wild and natural places, not only for posterity, but also as a source of national pride. The first national park in the United States – possibly the first one on the planet as well – was Yellowstone, designated in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. While Grant was the first president to create a federally-owned park, Theodore Roosevelt is generally known as the “conservation president.” Roosevelt doubled the number of national parks while he was in office. Perhaps more importantly, he oversaw the passing of The Antiquities Act, which gave the president unilateral power to designate national monuments as well. Creating a national park requires an act of Congress, so the passage of The Antiquities Act opened the door to significantly greater conservation efforts nationwide.

Our national parks are truly a treasure, and I encourage you to check some of them out! Here’s a series of questions to get you thinking along those lines . . . along with my own answers.

1. Have you ever visited a US National Park? Do you have a favorite? I’ve been fortunate to visit a lot of them. My favorite might be Acadia, in Bar Harbor Maine, where I climbed Cadillac Mountain and rode trail bikes with my son last summer. Or maybe it’s Yellowstone, in Wyoming, because the park itself is so varied – mountains, lakes, waterfalls, geysers, mineral pools, bison roaming everywhere! Or possibly Canyonlands in Utah, even though – thanks to a 5-day whitewater rafting trip in 1993 – it’s also the setting of one of my recurring nightmares.

2. What was the first national park you visited? Mine was either the Cape Cod National Seashore or the White House, both before age ten, but the one that made the biggest impression on me, and got me paying attention to the National Parks System at an early age, was The Grand Canyon, which I traveled to with my family when I was twelve. (And again with a friend on a cross-country road trip at age twenty. . . And on another cross-country trip at 29. . . And again at 44.) Each visit revealed different aspects of the park, the canyon, the Colorado River . . . as well as varying insights into our national character.

3. Can you name the 19 National Parks, National Historic Sites, National Seashores, and other NPS properties in Massachusetts? Off the top of my head, I cannot! But here’s a list. National Historic Parks: Adams, Boston, Lowell, Minute Man, and New Bedford Whaling. National Historic Sites: Boston African American, John F. Kennedy, Longfellow House/Washington’s Headquarters, Frederick Law Olmsted, Salem Maritime, Saugus Iron Works, and Springfield Armory. National Scenic Trail: Appalachian Trail. National Heritage Corridor: Blackstone River Valley, Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley. National Recreation Area: Boston Harbor Islands. National Seashore: Cape Cod. National Heritage Area: Essex. Wild and Scenic River: Westfield River. This list alone could keep an eager traveler busy for quite some time!

It is worth noting that in 1977 our very own North and South Rivers were designated a National Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior, “possessing national significance in illustrating the natural character of the United States.” The National Park Service oversees the National Natural Landmark (NNL) program. While an NNL designation doesn’t confer park status on the river and its watershed, the recognition still significant. There are eleven NNLs in Massachusetts, and close to 600 nationwide.

4. Which national park would you like to visit next? With a ten-year-old, I’m in “revisiting” mode – going back to places I’ve already seen, in order to offer my son some different perspectives on the landscape and on our country in general. We toured 11 national parks, monuments, and historic sites in Arizona this summer, along with a handful of Navajo tribal parks. Southern Utah is next on the family list – Arches, Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, etc. – but the historic sites and memorials of Washington DC rate pretty highly as well.

5. What are the Top Five national parks you’re hoping to see in your lifetime? There are a bunch of parks and monuments in Alaska and Hawaii . . . sigh! Maybe someday! Glacier National Park in Montana; Voyageurs in Minnesota; Joshua Tree and Death Valley in California. And if I ever get to the point where giant reptiles don’t make me squeamish, an airboat tour of the Everglades in Florida would definitely appeal.

by Kezia Bacon

August 2016

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Take the Great Outdoors Expert Challenge!

The quarry pond at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport.

-->Last summer the White House, in partnership with various Federal Land Management agencies, kicked off an initiative to help children become more active and increase their time spent outdoors. “A Kid In Every Park” granted all children entering fourth grade for the 2015-2016 school year a complimentary pass to all national parks, national forests, and other federally-managed lands.

To align itself with this initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) launched a parallel program, the Great Outdoors Expert Challenge. The DCR’s program, which includes free admission to state parks for every child with a Kid In Every Park pass, focuses on properties here in Massachusetts, and encourages children to aim for ten key experiences.

1. Explore Nature: Attend a nature program hosted by our park interpreters!

2. Play! Have fun at one of our playgrounds, courts or ball fields!

3. Get your Feet Wet or Go for a Swim: Visit one of our many lakes, ponds, pools, or ocean beaches!

4. Follow a Trail: Hike a Healthy Heart Trail, or pedal along one of our rail trails!

5. Camp Under the Stars: Stay overnight at one of our 29 campgrounds across the state!

6. Connect with the past: Visit a historical park and learn about Massachusetts’s rich history!

7. Hike a Summit: Visit a mountain in Massachusetts and hike to the top for a great view!

8. Picnic in a Park: Attend one of our Outdoor Kitchen Programs or make your own healthy recipe to enjoy at our parks!

9. Bring a Friend to a Park He or She has not Visited: Be adventurous, visit a new park and try a new activity!

10. Share Your Story (in video, pictures or words): Tell us about your experiences and the reasons you love our state parks! #EveryKidinaPark #MassParks

Even if you’re not eligible for free admission, our state parks are relatively inexpensive to visit (often there is no fee at all). And there are so many! Twenty four in the Boston area, 39 out west, 29 in Central Massachusetts, 31 north of Boston, and 38 here in the South Region. In all, we have 161 state parks in Massachusetts. Time to plan some summer adventures! Or if you’re not inclined to travel, you could apply the same criteria listed above to our local parks and conservations areas.

Eventually, I’d like to visit all of our state parks. I am very slowly making my way through the list. Last year it was Purgatory Chasm, the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and Wompatuck. The year before, Mount Greylock and the Blue Hills.

In June, I was able to check off two items: Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation in South Deerfield, and Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. So I’ve done my summit (#7) and also my trail (#4), and here I am sharing my story (#10)!

If nothing else, visit Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation for the view. Located at 300 Sugarloaf Street, just off Route 91, this park gives you a bird-s eye view of the Pioneer Valley. You can see the town of Sunderland up close, with UMass Amherst and points south in the distance. You have the option of driving (or maybe biking?) up the auto road, or you can hike an adjacent trail through the woods. My son (age 10) and I, along with another family with slightly younger children, spent about an hour climbing up. Once at the summit, we ascended the spiral staircase to the top of the observatory, where – it being a weekday, and thus not crowded – we could spend some time enjoying the panoramic vistas. The summit would be a great place for a picnic too. There are tables, and plenty of lawn on which to rest, plus clean restrooms!

A few days prior, I visited Halibut Point State Park on my own, having traveled to the North Shore for work. Situated on Cape Ann, Rockport is a beautiful coastal town and a tourist attraction, in part because of its shops, inns and restaurants. Just a couple miles out of the town center you’ll find both Halibut Point State Park and an adjoining property managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Together they offer hours of activity – walking paths, hiking trails, tide pools, local history, and spectacular views. The park centers around a 19^th-century granite quarry. Look for the self-guided tour pamphlet and fill yourself in on its history. The rocky slopes that lead down to the ocean are inviting as well. Swimming isn’t advised, but I saw numerous visitors in beach chairs enjoying the sunshine and the sounds of the surf. Parking is limited, so if you’re visiting on the weekend, arrive early or make alternate plans in case you have to wait to get in.

For more information about Massachusetts State Parks, visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/places-to-go/

by Kezia Bacon 

July 2016  

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Norwell’s Pathway and More

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The Pathway at Donovan Farm

I mentioned Norwell’s relatively new Pathway in an earlier article this year as something I was planning to investigate for a more detailed report. Investigation complete, I’m back with great news about all sorts of options for outdoor adventure and fun!

“The Pathway” in Norwell is a project that has been unfolding over the past few years. A network of paved cycling/walking trails, sidewalks and boardwalks, The Pathway provides an alternative to crossing town via Route 123. If you park near the Norwell Middle School (328 Main Street), you can travel more than a mile in either direction – west to the high school or east to the Norris Reservation. What’s more, there are a number of conservation properties along the route, offering various diversions.

Last month I had an opportunity to jog the entire length of the Pathway. If you leave your car in the lot at Gaffield Park, the playground at the corner of Forest and River Streets, you’ll be perfectly positioned for a round-trip Pathway journey. The Pathway is essentially a sidewalk along Forest Street, but it’s a nice new sidewalk!

A short distance past the playground, more or less across the street from 83 Forest Street, is Miller Woods, a 45-acre conservation area managed by the Town of Norwell. There is a small (4-car) parking area, and a network of walking trails through pine forest and red maple swamp. You could take a short walk around the first loop trail, or a longer one, going deeper into the property. All told, the average visitor could walk all of the trails in Miller Woods in about an hour.

The Pathway crosses Forest Street twice – before Miller Woods and a short distance after it. As you approach the intersection with Circuit and Pleasant Streets, you arrive at another town-managed open space parcel, the Donovan-Wildcat Conservation Area. If you travel the back roads of Norwell at all, you’re probably familiar with the Donovan property: acre upon acre of green fields, along with an historic farmhouse. The farm’s fields are leased for agricultural purposes, but there is a short trail around two sides of the perimeter – plenty of space to amble along and enjoy the view.

Just up Circuit Street, toward the Council on Aging, you’ll find an 8-car parking area on the left. This is a great starting point if you’d like to explore the larger, more diverse conservation lands around Wildcat Hill. Past the parking area and across Circuit Street, just a little farther up the road, look for two wooden posts with painted blazes in Norwell’s town colors, blue and gold. This is one of several trailheads for the Wildcat Conservation Area. 

A bench in Wildcat Conservation Area.

For Wildcat, which offers a number of intersecting loops trails, I recommend you download a brochure and map from the Town of Norwell’s website (see link below). You’ll pass along the back side of the Donovan farm, and then into the woods. Route-wise, there are numerous options, and most of them are marked with blue or white blazes. There are even a few wooden signs with arrows.

On the day of my visit, the property was a sea of green, with the trees in near-full leaf-out and ferns sprouting up everywhere. The woodlands are diverse – some pine, some maple, some beech – and at a few of the trail intersections, you’ll find a wooden bench for rest or contemplation. Eventually the trails connect with Wildcat Lane, where there is another small parking area. The trails are rough at some points. While they are relatively flat (with the exception of those that climb Wildcat Hill), they can be rocky. There’s evidence that they can be muddy at times as well.

One of many old stone walls in Wildcat Conservation Area.

Getting back to The Pathway, the intersection of Forest and Circuit Streets is where it becomes a true cycling and walking trail. Wider than the sidewalk, with marked lanes, The Pathway continues to the Middle School complex. Along the way, it skirts the edge of the Donovan fields, and then snakes through woods and wetlands, and even over streams (thanks to some beautifully-built boardwalks). 

One of the aforementioned boardwalks.

 

Eventually The Pathway emerges at the far edge of some of the town’s soccer and lacrosse fields, continues past the Transfer Station, and dips back into the woods for its final leg. Additional boardwalks and paved sections lead to Cushing Hill Road, a residential street that intersects with South Street. Across the road and down a short distance is Norwell’s high school/library complex.

If you have young cyclists in your family – children who are learning to ride a bike, who would enjoy the adventure of leaving the neighborhood – I recommend the middle section of The Pathway as an intermediate step before attempting larger parks like Wompatuck. Park at the Middle School.

And if you enjoy jogging (walking too!), I’m pleased to report that The Pathway is a great place to run. Starting at Gaffield Park, you’ll pretty much be going uphill the entire way, but that means on the way home, you’ll be heading downhill. It’s a pretty path, safe underfoot, and an excellent way to explore the town of Norwell.

Norwell’s Conservation Commission’s website is an excellent resource for all of the town’s open space properties. Now that I’ve found it, I’ll be exploring more of them in the months ahead. Follow this link for more information, and to download property guides and maps. http://www.townofnorwell.net/conservation-commission

by Kezia Bacon, Correspondent

June 2016

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Rattlesnakes in the Blue Hills!

A view from the Skyline Trail in Blue Hills Reservation.

It was a bright afternoon in May. I was hiking up a steep trail near the crest of Buck Hill in Milton, noticing about how warm the rock ledge at my feet felt, having absorbed the heat of the sun all day, and musing on how nice it would be to lie down upon it. And then I remembered that snakes like to stretch themselves out over warm rocks too . . . And that I had read something recently about rattlesnakes in the Blue Hills. . . And that maybe I should watch my step.

Given the fact that there were probably a hundred other hikers on the trail to Buck Hill that day, there wasn’t any cause for concern. Snakes don’t gravitate toward well-trafficked areas. But it got me thinking that I should educate myself more thoroughly on the matter. To put it mildly, I’m not fond of snakes. It would be better to know what to expect than to ruin a hike by imagining them lurking around every corner!

We typically associate rattlesnakes with the desert, and do not expect to encounter them close to home. However about 200 timber rattlesnakes currently reside in Massachusetts. Most often they inhabit wooded mountainous areas with steep rocky ledges and ample populations of rodents . . . although they are sometimes found in fields and wetlands too. Populations in our state are concentrated in the Berkshires, the Connecticut River Valley and the Blue Hills. Nationwide, they make their home throughout much of the eastern US, as far west as central Texas in the south, and to Wisconsin in the north. While they are abundant in the southern Appalachians, here in the northeast, populations are quite small.

The timber rattlesnake hibernates for the colder half of the year, but becomes active in Massachusetts around the middle of April. After emerging from the underground crevices in which is spends the winter, it makes its way onto rock ledges where it can bask in the sun to keep warm. (Like many snakes, the timber rattler is ectothermic, meaning it cannot regulate its own body temperature.) In the spring, activity is minimal, although some mating does occur. After mating, the snakes move away from the den -- males to dense forest, where the hunting is good; females to fields and less-dense forest, where temperatures are warmer. Baby snakes are born alive after about 4-5 months. They all return to the den in September or October, depending on the weather. The average life span for a timber rattlesnake is 10-15 years.

A brown Timber Rattlesnake. (Photo credit Anne Stengle/Mass Wildlife)

 The standard description of a timber rattlesnake includes the phrase “pit viper,” which sends chills up my spine. If you’re imagining a teeming pit of angry, venomous snakes (as I first did), please take my hand and we’ll back away from that erroneous image together. A timber rattlesnake is large – three to five feet in adulthood, 8-16 inches a birth, with a broad triangular head and rough-looking scales. It can range in color from black or brown to rust or dark yellow. The underside is light in color, sometimes with dark flecks. It has bands across its back and sides, but none on its head or face. Its tail is solid black, with a rattling structure at its end that grows with each successive shedding of skin, but is sometimes lost in that same process. The term “pit viper” refers to the pits on either side of its head – super-sensitive nerve endings that can detect radiant heat.

Timber rattlesnakes don’t eat people. Not even small ones! They prefer mice, chipmunks and other warm-blooded rodents, plus sometimes birds, bugs and amphibians. They hunt by day in the spring and fall, but become nocturnal in the summer, when their prey becomes more active at night. Here the sensory pits are especially useful – they help the snake to detect warm-blooded prey in the dark. Timber rattlesnakes see pretty well, especially when an object is moving, but they can also track prey via its scent, or by sensing vibrations in the ground.

A timber rattlesnake has two large fangs at he front of its mouth, plus a number of smaller teeth along its jaw. The fangs, which fold back onto the roof of the snake’s mouth and are covered by a sheath when the jaw is closed, are conduits for venom. Hunting consists primarily of lying motionless – watching and waiting -- with intervals of prowling. Attacking prey comes first. Injecting venom, the volume of which the snake can control, is a secondary measure.

When it comes to humans, a timber rattlesnake will strike and bite only as a last resort. When disturbed or threatened, it will rattle its tail, which should be enough to send most people packing. The timber rattlesnake prefers to be left alone, and will back away from a human if possible. It will probably fight back if touched, though. It’s helpful to know that the last reported fatality from a timber rattlesnake bite in Massachusetts was in 1791.

Due to declining populations, the timber rattlesnake is now an Endangered Species in Massachusetts. Its habitat has been diminished over the years, and a lot of lives have been lost through ill-fated road crossings. Just as much of a threat, however, is hunting. Whether it’s snake collectors, or people who come upon a snake and kill it out of fear, timber rattlesnake numbers have been greatly reduced in the past 25 years.

You may have heard recent news reports about a statewide effort to protect timber rattlesnakes. They would be captured in the wild as newborns, raised in captivity (at the Roger Williams Zoo) and then released to their birth area when they are old enough to fend for themselves. (This would amount to no more than ten snakes released per year.) Nothing controversial, until the release plan changed and there was talk about designating Mt. Zion, a 1400-acre island in the Quabbin Reservoir without human access, as their new home. “Rattlesnake Island” sounds like a horror movie, so there was a fair amount of public outcry. The issue remains undecided.

Sources:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/species-information-and-conservation/rare-reptiles-and-amphibians/endangered-rattlesnake-conservation.html

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/rattlesnake_island_how_many_ra.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/massachusetts-plans-venomous-rattlesnake-colony-on-island/

by Kezia Bacon

April 2016 
 

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

100 Years of Audubon Sanctuaries

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A bridge crosses the Green Harbor River at the Daniel Webster Sanctuary in Marshfield. Photo by Sandy Bacon.

One hundred years ago, the Massachusetts Audubon Society established its very first wildlife preserve, the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary in Sharon. The organization got started in 1896, when its founders, Harriet Lawrence Hemenway and Minna B. Hall, began a well-publicized effort “to restrict the killing of birds and sale of their plumage.” Hemenway and Hall setting out to convince the masses that birds need not be sacrificed simply so their feathers could serve as adornments on fashionable ladies’ hats.

Twenty years later, in 1916, Dr. George W. Field of Sharon donated his estate to Mass Audubon, in order “to attract birds and people interested in birds.” And since then, Audubon has been diligently acquiring, preserving, and maintaining wildlife habitat across Massachusetts. There are now a total of 56 Audubon sanctuaries statewide. And three of those are right here on the South Shore!

These three preserves – Daniel Webster, North River, and North Hill Marsh -- are some of my favorite local places to enjoy the natural world. Chances are, if you’ve resided on the South Shore for any length of time, you’ve observed the simple white-and-blue signs encouraging visitors to stop in. And if you’ve gone farther than those signs – up long driveways or down unassuming residential streets to parking areas and trailheads – you’ve experienced some of our areas most lovely open spaces. But if not, here’s a quick overview of what’s right in your backyard. Why not treat yourself and check one out sometime soon!

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary

Winslow Cemetery Road, Marshfield (off Webster Street)

578 acres, 3.5 miles of trails

“Panoramic” is the word that comes to mind when I consider the Daniel Webster Sanctuary. The parking area is situated on a small rise, and even from there, you can see quite far in almost every direction. The sanctuary’s agricultural history is still evident in the landscape. Visitors can follow well-marked trails through the woods and across wide meadows. There are ponds and wetlands, with two observation blinds. Boardwalks and bridges extend the reach of the trail system across the Green Harbor River and through the red cedar swamp along its banks. Depending on the time of year, you may see turtles sunning themselves, green herons fishing, muskrat and mink hunting, or even (especially at dusk) coyote and white-tailed deer. And of course a diverse array of avian life – bobolinks, purple martins, northern harriers and Savannah sparrows. No pets, running or bike riding. See below for additional visitor guidelines.

North River Wildlife Sanctuary

2000 Main Street, Marshfield (Route 3A)

225 acres, 2.5 miles of trails

Among its many charms, the North River Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors a spectacular view of the North River and the vast estuary at its mouth. To experience it, you’ll have to walk across Summer Street, through grasslands, and finally through woods, where a boardwalk leads to a platform that overlooks the river. If you do nothing else on your visit to North River Sanctuary, you will have seen one of the South Shore’s most beautiful landscapes. But that’s not all North River Sanctuary has to offer. There are also trails through oak forest, a Sensory Trail for the blind and people with mobility issues, and up-close views of Hannah Eames Brook. You’ll see birds at this preserve, of course, and probably dragonflies too. When conditions are just right in the winter, be sure to look for the harbor seals. No pets, running or bike riding. See below for additional visitor guidelines.

North Hill Marsh

Mayflower Street, Duxbury (in the Duxbury Town Forest)

146 acres, 5 miles of trails

No one wants to get lost in the woods, but if you’d like to “lose yourself” there for an hour of two the North Hill Marsh is an ideal destination. Audubon describes it as “as sanctuary within a refuge.” One of many contiguous open space parcels in Duxbury’s Eastern Greenbelt, this relatively small preserve feels infinitely larger, due to its surroundings. Most of the property– 90 acres -- is a pond. The rest is oak and pine woodlands, made accessible via several well-marked trails. I recommend bringing a map, though! (You can download one from Audubon’s website.) It is a home to a wide array of migratory waterfowl – herons, egrets, kingfishers, and a variety of ducks, as well as three types of turtle. Look carefully at the pond’s edge, and you may see mink, otters or muskrats. Dogs are welcome at North Hill, but only on-leash, and please keep them out of the pond. Boating is prohibited.

All of the above sanctuaries are open daily, dawn til dusk. The following guidelines, posted by Mass Audubon for your safety, as well as to avoid conficts with wildlife, apply to all three properties.

• Leave everything as you find it, and do not pick or collect items.

• Remain on the trails at all times to protect plants, animals, and yourself.

• Refrain from driving motorized vehicles.

• Refrain from fishing, hunting, or trapping.

• Refrain from launching, operating, or retrieving drones or other remote-controlled aerial vehicles.

• Enjoy snacks or picnics in designated areas, and carry out all trash.

• Do not smoke.

For more information, visit www.massaudubon.org or call 781-837-9400.

by Kezia Bacon

April 2016 

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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Help Protect A Gem In Scituate

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Recently I was introduced some open space lands in Scituate’s West End, and I’m so pleased to make their acquaintance! Thanks to the dedication of a small group of conservation-minded citizens, there are now more than 400 acres of land preserved in this quiet corner of the town. Clustered around Bates Lane, off Thomas Clapp Road, these parcels represent years of diligence and collaboration between the Town of Scituate, its Community Preservation Committee, private citizens, and advocates for land conservation and the protection of the public water supply. Since 1998, the non-profit Maxwell Conservation Trust has been at the forefront of these efforts.

In the 1990s, Scituate residents Wayne and Cynde Robbins founded the Maxwell Conservation Trust (which is named after the couple’s golden retriever). Its mission, as stated on its informative website, is “to promote and assist in the conservation, preservation and responsible development of our natural and land resources including open spaces for recreation, wildlife, public water supply and forestry protection.” Since its inception, the Trust has helped to add a total of 325 acres to Scituate’s array of public lands.

On April 14^th, the Town of Scituate will have the opportunity to vote on the acquisition of two additional parcels of land. This final purchase, if it passes, will mark the successful conclusion of the 14-year effort. To date, all related land acquisitions have been approved unanimously by Town Meeting.

Back in the 1990s, it became clear that a number of large land parcels in Scituate’s West End were being eyed for development. Most of the properties were adjacent to the 95-acre Bates Lane Conservation Area. At the time, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was just getting started. A landowner wanted to sell 70 acres to the town for conservation and water protection, but the CPC had not yet accumulated sufficient funds to justify such a purchase. That’s when the Maxwell Trust stepped in, offering to buy the land and hold it in trust until the town was ready to complete the purchase. The Town of Scituate purchased 44 acres in 2002, and that same year, the Trust purchased the remaining 26. Since then, thanks to the efforts of the Maxwell Trust, eight additional properties have been acquired in the area.

As the members of the Maxwell Trust begin to scale back their efforts, they are hopeful that the town will now complete this project and complete the purchase agreed upon years ago. They cost is just shy of $390,000 – the same price the Trust paid in 2002.

Collectively the open space parcels in Scituate’s West End are known as the Bates Lane Conservation Area. I’d been hearing about them for quite some time, and finally in mid-March I had the opportunity to visit.

There are presently two parking areas for the Bates Lane Conservation Area. One is on Clapp Road, diagonally across the street from the intersection with Bates Lane. The other is at the Mount Hope Improvement Society building at the corner of Cedar Street and Clapp Road. The trailheads accessible from both parking areas feature kiosks with maps.

The trails are extensive and well-marked. Look for painted wooden markers on the trees at all major intersections. My guides led me along every path on the property – the Carl Pipes Trail, as well as the Litchfield, the Horse, the Moncy and the Maxwell. It took us about two hours to see them all. Trail improvements as well as additional parking areas are already funded and should be completed this year.

The lands themselves are pleasantly diverse. There is a lot of flat, recent-growth forest covering what was once farmland, with plenty of old stone walls. There are swampy areas where we saw skunk cabbage beginning to emerge (an early sign of spring!). There are little hollows featuring streams and bridges, plus lots of ferns and moss, as well as the occasional high hill. Glacial erratics (aka really large boulders) dot the landscape, and here and there you’ll even find a wooden bench where you can pause to rest, or just to listen to the sounds of the woods around you. The well-planned network of trails offers numerous options for exploring the property: you could spend the whole morning there, or for a shorter visit, check out one or two trails at a time.

Nature enthusiasts of the South Shore, there’s a good chance you haven’t yet experienced the Bates Lane Conservation Area – it’s one of those unassuming, “best kept secret” types of places, a true gem. I strongly recommend that you add it to your To Do list for this year. You won’t be disappointed.

Scituate residents, please consider attending Town Meeting on April 14th and voting in favor of the acquisition of these land parcels!

For more information, visit www.maxwellconservationtrust.org

by Kezia Bacon

March 2016

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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 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com