By Rachel Calderara, Outreach and Education Manager

With schools, businesses and entertainment venues closed across the region, nature preserves have seen an uptick in visitation. Wildlands Trust trailhead parking lots have been packed as people are seeking refuge in nature in Southeastern Massachusetts. At Wildlands, we are proud to continue to provide access to nature for our communities across the region. However, being prepared for your hike and practicing social distancing on the trails is imperative during this time of national emergency.

Social Distancing on the Trails:

Our preserves are available for fresh air, nature study and as an escape from the indoors. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 virus is primarily spread between people who are in close contact with each other (within 6 feet), and avoiding exposure to the virus is the best way to protect yourself from illness. We’re counting on you to adhere to social distancing practices when using Wildlands Trust preserves to protect yourself, your family, and our communities at large. Simply follow these guidelines:

1. Visit our preserves alone, with your dog or with those who you live with. Avoid using our preserves to meet up with friends and family outside your home.

2. Keep a 6-foot distance between yourself (or your party) and other visitors. 

3. Communicate with each other! If you see another visitor on the trails, communicate from a safe distance and have one party pull off the trail, allowing 6 feet of distance between parties. 

4. If you are a dog owner, keep your dog leashed at all times to avoid contact with others.

5. Avoid touching any manmade objects such a kiosks, signs, railings, etc.

6. Practice patience and kindness towards other visitors. We’re all in this together.

Being Prepared:

We always encourage visitors to be prepared with appropriate gear during their visits to our preserves. Now more than ever, it is important to be independent while on the trails, and that means being prepared with more than you might regularly bring. We recommend that all visitors carry the following items, at a minimum:

1. Water: Hydration is important all year long. While we recommend carrying extra water during warmer months, humans need water when it is cold too. Dehydration is one of the most common ailments on trails nationwide. 

2. Food: We get hungry when we exercise. Even if you don’t plan on needing it, bring a granola bar, trail mix, fruit, etc. so you can enjoy a snack in the beauty of nature if you need to recharge. (Remember to carry out what you carry in!)

3. Layers: Staying at a comfortable temperature is key during a hike. This means wearing warm layers that you can remove in the winter and wearing lightweight layers in the summer. ALWAYS bring a rain layer, even if rain is not in the forecast. Hypothermia is another common trail ailment that can be avoided by staying dry.

4. Map: Wildlands Trust maps are available for free to download or print on our website and are posted on the trailhead kiosks. If you don’t have a map with you when you arrive, we recommend taking a picture of the map on the kiosk with your smartphone. Whenever you come to an intersection, take a look at the map so you can follow along and always know where you are. Things to look out for at Wildlands Trust trails are color-coded trails on the map marked by colored trail blazes on the trees along the trail.

5. Flashlight: Say you get a little turned around on the trail during your hike. Once you’re back on track, you may end up being out a lot longer than you had planned for. A flashlight when you need it can be a real help in this situation, and it weighs almost nothing in your pack. 

6. First aid kit: Our healthcare facilities are very busy right now, so the more you can take care of yourself, the better for everyone. Make or buy a good first aid kit and familiarize yourself with its contents. If you take an unexpected fall, you can clean out and dress a minor wound yourself without needing to call for backup.

7. Fully charged phone: If you do need to call for help, the last thing you want to find in your pocket is a dead cellphone. Make sure you’re charged up before hitting the trail, and try not to use apps that drain your battery while you’re hiking. 

Finally, remember to do a thorough tick check after your visit to protect yourself from tick-borne illnesses. Your extra time outdoors this season may put you at a higher risk of picking up a tick, so be vigilant this spring, summer and fall. For more information on ticks in Massachusetts, visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tick-borne-disease-information-for-the-public.

Being prepared and practicing social distancing will help keep us all safe as we continue to enjoy the great outdoors. Visit wildlandstrust.org/trails to find a preserve near you!