Land Steward for Wildlife and Habitat Mitch Hennings ended his time with Wildlands Trust this month to pursue a career in physical therapy.
Wildlands’ Community Stewardship Program Builds New Trails and Amenities in Wareham
Seasonal Staff Success in Summer 2022
Read Time: 2 min
By Rachel Calderara, Director of Special Projects
Summers are for growth; not just for the local flora, but also for our staff! With 10,000 acres to protect in 52 towns, Wildlands’ stewardship staff have their work cut out for them during the growing season. That’s why each summer we hire a handful of seasonal staff to help us tackle the busiest time of year. Not only do they help keep our trails clear and free of obstructions, but our seasonal staff also engage with volunteers, help lead youth projects, and collaborate with partner organizations. As summer winds down, we’d like to take a moment to appreciate everything our stewardship staff accomplished this season in service to the environment and our communities.
Three new staff joined us this summer, doubling the size of the stewardship department. Tess Goldmann, who was first introduced to Wildlands Trust as a high school Green Team member in 2017 and 2018, joined Wildlands as a Seasonal Land Steward after earning a dual degree in Biological Science and Computer Science at Smith College. Lucky for us, she’ll be staying on to help with a variety of projects through the end of the year. Tyler Williams was with Wildlands from May to August and has returned to UMass Boston to complete his senior year as an Environmental Science major. Nico Johnston joined us all the way from Texas for a second summer and returned home in August for his senior year of high school.
The long list of accomplishments that wouldn’t have been possible without Tess, Tyler, and Nico includes:
Constructing two miles of new trails at Halfway Pond Conservation Area.
Installing new roadside signage at Showcase Preserves.
Repairing benches and picnic tables with the Brockton Green Team at D.W. Field Park.
Constructing a half-mile connector trail that links the IHRT loop with the trails at Chapman’s Landing in Hanover.
Installing bog boards at Mark’s Cove Conservation Area with Buzzards Bay Coalition and Wareham Land Trust.
Caring for our conservation lands is both challenging and rewarding, and we are grateful to Tess, Tyler, and Nico for their hard work this summer! We hope you find the time to get out on the trails and enjoy the fruits of their labor this fall.
Does this sound like the kind of work YOU would like to be doing? We’re HIRING a full-time Stewardship Coordinator! Learn more here.
Photo by Rob MacDonald
Wildlands' Community Welcomed Back at Opening Day 2022
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
On May 1, the Wildlands community came together at our Davis-Douglas Farm headquarters, in Plymouth, to kick off the 2022 programming season. Near-perfect spring weather was a bonus for all who attended our Opening Day celebration, making for a fun and relaxing Sunday afternoon that surely left many visitors daydreaming of the summer days ahead!
Friends of all ages, people and pets, families, returning members, staff, volunteers, and first-time visitors enjoyed local beer and live music on the lawn, explored craft activities and games, and learned all about the Wildlands Trust community, the work we're doing, and the various opportunities to join us--at our programs and events, as volunteers, and through membership.
The Conservation Barn was open for visitors to peruse information tables about current offerings and initiatives at Wildlands, or to purchase soft pretzels, fresh out of the oven. Many visitors enjoyed lengthy conversations with our staff and volunteers inside the Barn, while some of our youngest visitors dropped in just long enough to find the lollipops that adorned the display areas.
Wildlands’ Programming and Outreach Manager Claire Johnston said, “We are thrilled to have people interested in learning about us, what we’ve been doing, and what’s to come!” And our entire staff loved seeing all of the smiling faces and the steady buzz of activity around our headquarters that day. We can't wait to keep the momentum going as our 2022 programming season gets underway, so be on the lookout for more fabulous events to come!
Shifting Lots' Shorebirds Are Counting on You!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
The Piping Plovers are back at Shifting Lots for the 2022 season! Protective fencing was installed around the birds’ nesting area at the end of March by staff and volunteers from Wildlands Trust and the Friends of Ellisville Marsh. The shorebirds are expected to begin laying their first eggs in early May, and will remain at the preserve throughout the summer months.
In preparation for the birds’ annual return, Wildlands’ staff and volunteers set up information tables at various times throughout the month of March, talking with visitors and providing informational materials about the value of wild beaches and marshes, the ways we manage the land to support wildlife, and how visitors’ actions can help to protect this important habitat. In case you missed this on-site educational opportunity, our team has created a short summary to provide you with all the “need-to-know” information about Shifting Lots Preserve and its shorebird protection.
