OkTRAILberfest Success

One month ago today, on October 7th, Wildlands Trust hosted our first ever OkTRAILberfest here at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth. Over 200 people came out on a beautiful October afternoon to enjoy an abundance of trail activities, music, food, and beer, all to support the Youth Unplugged Initiative.

The earliest hikers arrived at 8:00 am that Saturday for the longest hike of the day: 9 miles from Myles Standish State Forest to Davis-Douglas Farm (DDF), led by John Bescherer and Bill Vickstrom of the Friends of Myles Standish. Around 9:00 am, the next group of hikers arrived, prepared for a trek that would start at Ellisville State Harbor and traverse hilly and difficult terrain for 6 miles before returning to DDF, led by Roger Janson and Betsy Hall. The largest hiking group of the day started at Redbrook for a 5-mile hike to DDF led by Malcolm MacGregor and Scott MacFaden of Wildlands Trust. Finally, around 11:30 am the last hikers of the morning embarked on a 4-mile journey from Old Sandwich Road to DDF, led by Frank Werny and Ann Prentice. Wildlands Trust arranged a shuttle to bring all of these hikers to their prospective trailheads so they could seamlessly hike back to their cars and the party.

6-mile hikers return to DDF from Ellisville State Harbor

In addition to the morning hikes, Stewardship Manager Erik Boyer organized a trail run with 3 and 6 mile options that began and ended at DDF. To win the Wildlands Trust swag bag, we challenged the runners to predict their time; the runner who came closest would win. In the end, it was a two-way tie and the prizes were split!

During the festivities, Naturalist Judy Macioci led a 2-mile family friendly hike in the afternoon to add to the fun. Families and friends hiked to the beech tree clearing at Emery Preserve and back, counting the dozens of mushrooms growing trailside along the way.

About half of those who came to OkTRAILberfest skipped the hiking and running and just came for the party. Everyone enjoyed the German buffet from Farms to Forks Catering, live authentic German music from the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band and later Americana music from the Butch McCarthy Bob Calderara Duo, libations from IndieFerm Brewing, a historic tour of DDF, a growler-hoisting competition, raffle prizes, and lawn games played throughout our 10-acre headquarters.

IndieFerm Beer was pouring all afternoon under the Beer Tent

With support from our sponsors and those who came out to celebrate, we were able to raise over $2,000 for Youth Unplugged. This money will support the Envirothon program at Brockton High School, the summer Green Team program, Boy and Girl Scout projects with Wildlands, and more!

Green Team members Roxie and Jill volunteering at OkTRAILberfest

We want to thank everyone who came out and made our inaugural event a smashing success! We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year!

A very special thanks to our sponsors – we could not have done it without you: Penobscot, Inc., The Pinehills, Solar Turf, Redbrook, Richmond’s Septic & Excavation, Mamma Mia’s, Anchor Press, Scorpio Craftsmen, Six Ponds, Woods Seafood, and Rockland Trust.

Over 200 people enjoyed OkTRAILberfest on Saturday, October 7, 2017

Memorial Gifts to Give Great River Preserve a Face Lift

A long fought battle with cancer did not stop Mark Kaetzer from visiting the Great River Preserve nearly every week for two years with his wife, Judy. “It was what we looked forward to,” said Judy. “We would walk out to the same bench and just enjoy the peace and quiet.” When Mark passed away in August, Judy contacted Wildlands Trust and said that she wanted Mark’s memorial gifts - donated by their friends, family, and co-workers - to fund a face lift at the entrance to the preserve. Judy’s vision was for a new gate and fencing, a handicapped parking spot, plantings, and signage. As Mark’s illness progressed and his mobility declined, Judy became aware of the need for better handicap accommodations at the entrance to the preserve and this gift will go a long way toward helping mobility challenged people access the Taunton River.  Wildlands will be hosting a volunteer workday next spring to complete this project. Thank you, Judy, for this really thoughtful gift!

Holiday Charity Drive at Wildlands Trust

Tis the season of giving at Wildlands Trust! Throughout November and December, we will be collecting nonperishable foods and gift cards for those in need. Food items of need include canned pastas (Spaghetti O’s, Chef Boyardee, etc.), canned fruits, peanut butter, jelly, soups, granola bars, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, and any kid-friendly items light enough to carry in a backpack. Gift cards are needed for gas stations, Walmart, and Target.

Food donations will go to the South Shore Community Action Council’s Food Resources Program, which delivers food to 45 pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and more throughout the South Shore. 

Gift card donations will go to the Turning Point shelter in Wareham, a community in which Wildlands Trust holds seven conservation properties. $10 gift cards can truly make a difference, especially during the holidays!

We ask that anyone participating in a Wildlands Trust public program in the months of November and December bring an item to donate with them. You can also donate food at any time at our office, 675 Long Pond Rd. We ask that gift cards only be brought during office hours Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:00 or to programs.

Let’s work together to make the holidays happier for everyone in our community!

Bat Week! Oct. 24 - 31

Did you know that today marks the beginning of Bat Week? Bat Week is an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature, organized by a team of representatives from across the United States and Canada form conservation organizations and government departments. 

Last Thursday, October 19, bat enthusiast Angela Gordon helped prepare us for Bat Week with her "Batty for Bats" talk and Wildlands Trust. Attendees received a thorough overview of bat adaptations and behaviors, bats species of Massachusetts, the importance of bats to humans, and threats to bat populations around the world. 

Angela Gordon presents "Batty for Bats" at Wildlands Trust. Bats are the only flying mammal! Other "flying mammals" like the flying squirrel simply glide and cannot propel themselves. 

White nose syndrome, habitat loss, and other factors have contributed to the decline of bat populations world-wide. These mammals provide vital ecological services to humans by eating disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and pollinating crops that we depend on.

During Bat Week you can get involved in your local community to help raise awareness about the importance of bats and threats to their survival! Find out the many ways that all ages can get involved at batweek.org. You can also make some tasty treats with bat-dependent ingredients in this Bat Cook Book! 

Meet Tommy Blanchard

Wildlands Trust would like to welcome our newest AmeriCorps member, Tommy Blanchard! Tommy will serve as the Land Stewardship Coordinator at Wildlands Trust for the next 11 months through the TerraCorps program, which supports 36 full-time AmeriCorps members serving at non-profit conservation organizations across Massachusetts.

During his year of service as the Wildlands Trust TerraCorps LSC, Tommy will focus on enhancing community involvement with open space in North Plymouth and Brockton and engaging youth groups in meaningful service learning projects. 

Tommy grew up exploring and camping in and around his hometown of Duxbury, and has a deep affection for New England and a desire to give back to local communities, especially those in areas that lack adequate access to green space. During his years at Hamilton College and as an alumni, he has led backpacking trips in the Adirondacks for incoming freshmen. This past summer he traveled to Northern California to WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and work at a summer camp for kids.

In addition to his interest in the great outdoors, Tommy enjoys acting, singing, and performing stand-up comedy. He recently graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and is currently considering a career in education. Tommy is excited to spend a year engaging with the communities of Southeastern MA and we are excited to have him on the team!

The 2017-18 TerraCorps members at their orientation in August, 2017 after a tour of the Harvard Forest led by Brian Hall