The Trustees of Reservations
June & July, 2010
Events and Programs for
Notchview, the Highlands and the Pioneer Valley
Contact: Cynthia Sommer, Administrative Assistant
(413) 532-1631 ext. 13, pvregion@ttor.org
Events in the Hill Towns, at Notchview, and the Bryant Homestead
Managing Land for Climate Change: Field Management
Saturday, June 5 | 6 AM-Noon
Notchview, Windsor, MA
Take an early morning bird walk to see the lively results of our field management project, and then learn about the management approaches, carbon sequestration effects, and funding opportunities for maintaining these underrepresented habitats.
Call the Highland Communities Initiative at 413-268-8219 to register or for more information.
Notchview’s Nests
Saturday, June 19 | 7:30 AM – 9 AM
Notchview, Windsor, MA
Join naturalist John Green for a bird walk exploring a variety of habitats during nesting season. Members free. Nonmembers: Adult $5; children 12 and under $3. Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
The Native Plant Treasures of Bear Swamp
Saturday, June 19th | 10 AM – 1 PM
Bear Swamp, Ashfield, MA
Experience vista views, diverse native flowers and ferns, towering trees, rocky outcrops, streams and wet meadows on this 3-mile moderate hike. Members and Ashfield residents free thanks to a grant from the Ashfield Cultural Council. Nonmembers/Nonresidents: adult $5, children 12 and under $3. Directions provided upon registration. Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Wild & Scenic Saturdays: One Step at a Time
Down Glendale Falls & East Branch Trail
1st & 3rd Saturdays (June through October) | 9 AM – 1 PM
The nationally-recognized Wild & Scenic Westfield river twists its way though The Trustees of Reservations’ Chesterfield Gorge and over Glendale Falls. On the first Saturday of every month, join a group of volunteers in building a community-sponsored, rustic staircase down Glendale Falls that is designed to reduce visitor impacts to the area. On the third Saturday, attend free workshops on trail stewardship and outdoor skills and put what you learned to work along the East Branch Trail in Chesterfield. For information call Meredyth Babcock at 413-623-2070 or e-mail volunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org.
Saturday, June 5, July 3, August 8. September 4 | 9 AM – 1 PM
Glendale Falls Reservation, Middlefield
Join a volunteer group to help build a staircase down Glendale falls, reducing visitor impact on the falls.
Saturday, June 19 | 9 AM – 1 PM
East Branch Trail, Chesterfield Gorge
Geology workshop, followed by sign installation and kiosk painting.
Saturday, July 17 | 9 AM – 1 PM
East Branch Trail, Chesterfield Gorge
Identifying invasive plant species workshop, followed by safe removal and prevention of invasive plants.
Saturday, August 21 | 9 AM – 1 PM
East Branch Trail, Chesterfield Gorge
Photo monitoring workshop, followed by trying out your new skill at the Chesterfield Gorge!
Tour the William Cullen Bryant Homestead
Weekends, June 26 – October 11;
Labor Day & Columbus Day | 1 PM – 5 PM
Bryant Homestead, Cummington, MA
Explore the ancestral home of the great 19th-century poet, newspaperman, and essayist, and wander the grounds above the Westfield River. Trustees of Reservations members free; non-member adult $6, child $3. Try the “I Spy” family activity using a hands-on spy pack to discover the Homestead’s secrets. Members: child $4, nonmembers: child $6, family rate.
Call the Bryant Homestead at 413 634-2244 for more information.
Bryant Day
Sunday, July 17th | 12 PM – 4:30 PM
Bryant Homestead, Cummington, MA
Join in this Hilltown tradition of celebrating the Bryant legacy with poetry, speeches, music, and home made ice cream, featuring poet Barry Sternlieb and historian Bernard Drew. View schedule at www.thetrustees.org. Trustees of Reservations members free; non-members $5/car.
Call the Bryant Homestead at 413 634-2244 for more information.
Notchview Tuesday Trail Teams
2nd and 4th Tuesdays (July through October ) | 9 AM - 12:30 PM
Notchview, Windsor, MA
Do you like getting out in the woods? Add some purpose to your fun. Joining a small group working on Notchview’s trail system ensures that everyone can enjoy them throughout the year. Opening a new ski trail is a priority this year. Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Holyoke Events
Get Outdoors! Holyoke Community Gardens Bike Tour
Saturday, June 12 | 1 PM – 4 PM
Land of Providence Reservation, Main St., Holyoke
Get outside, get some exercise and see what's green in Holyoke! Join our ranger, Tracy, on a moderate bike tour of the city's gardens and parks. Learn where you can find some fresh air and fresh veggies in the city and also get a chance to look more closely at historic Holyoke. The tour will start and end at Land of Providence. Helmets are required and guardians must accompany youth under 14. Registration required; Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Saturday Sustainability Workshops
Land of Providence Reservation, Main St., Holyoke
Trustees members $5, non-members $10. Spaces are limited; Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to reserve a spot. Check www.thretrustees.org for full workshop schedule.
Saturday, June 19 | 1 PM - 3 PM
Window Box Kitchen Gardens
Home vegetable gardens are popping up everywhere – even on the White House lawn – but what if you don’t have a yard to plant one in? Come to this workshop and learn how to create and maintain window box gardens that will not only look nice, but will also supplement your mealtimes!
Saturday, July 17 | 1 PM - 3 PM
Composting at Home
Composting is a simple way to put your food scraps to good use. Cut down on the trash you are hauling to the dump each day and increase the health and vibrancy of your gardens. This is an introductory session for first-time composters.
Meditation and Yoga
Sundays | 9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Land of Providence Reservation, Main St., Holyoke
Come for a peaceful class overlooking the Connecticut River. This is a gentle yoga session appropriate for beginners. Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Meets every Sunday through the summer. Rain cancels. Trustees members and Holyoke Residents $5, non-members $10. Call the Trustees of Reservations at 413-532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org for information.
Land of Providence Tours
Saturdays (June through October, and by appointment) | 11 AM
Land of Providence Reservation, Main St., Holyoke
Take a guided exploration of The Trustees of Reservations’ new property in Holyoke, which features community gardens, river views, and walking trails. $2 donation per person welcome. Call The Trustees of Reservations at 413 532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Summer Stewardship: Footprint Workday
Sunday, July 24 | 1 PM - 3 PM
Dinosaur Footprints Reservation, Holyoke
Spend this mid summer afternoon along the bank of the Connecticut River and the dinosaur track ways, pitching in to care for the property. A variety of tasks possible, depending on the weather and your interest. Please dress in long-pants, a work shirt and sturdy shoes. Bring gloves and a water bottle if you have them. FREE. Call the Trustees of Reservations at 413-532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Monson Events
Wet and Wiggly: Pond Exploration
Saturday, June 5 | 10 AM – Noon
Peaked Mountain Reservation, Butler Road, Monson
Join renowned local naturalist Kevin Kopchynski for an all-ages day of pond playing and muck making in the Lunden Pond. We will look at aquatic macroinvertibrates, beaver lodges and oh so much more! Members free, Others by donation: $5 Requested. Please pre-register. Call the Trustees of Reservations at 413-532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
Pre-Summerfest Hike
Saturday, July 3 | 10 AM
Peaked Mountain Reservation, Butler Road, Monson
Join local conservation superstar Leslie Duthie as she leads a hike steeped in local history to get us ready for the 31st annual Monson Fourth of July celebration on Monday, July 5 and in coordination with Monson’s year-long 250th celebration. Call the Trustees of Reservations at 413-532-1631 x13 or email pvregion@ttor.org to register or for more information.
About the Trustees of Reservations in the Pioneer Valley
Since 2001, The Trustees have been building a stronger conservation presence in the Pioneer Valley region with educational and grassroots community outreach programs and the pursuit of significant land conservation opportunities. Currently, The Trustees own and manage 13 spectacular properties in the region. These include Notchview, the Bryant Homestead, Dinosaur Footprints, Chapel Brook, Bear Swamp, Chesterfield Gorge, Petticoat Hill, Glendale Falls, Little Tom Mountain (to open 2012) and Peaked Mountain. Recent acquisitions which will open to the public in the future include the Bullitt Reservation, Mt. Warner Reservation, and Land of Providence. The Trustees locally operate the Highland Communities Initiative (HCI), a program created to protect the natural and cultural character of 38 rural hilltowns located between the Connecticut and Housatonic Rivers. To find out more about HCI, visit www.highlandcommunities.org. For more information on becoming a Trustees member, donor and/or volunteer or to reach The Trustees of Reservations Pioneer Valley regional office, please call 413.532.1631.
More about The Trustees of Reservations Statewide
The Trustees of Reservations are 100,000 people like you, who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and believe in celebrating and protecting them for current and future generations. Founded by open space visionary, Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees “hold in trust” and care for special places throughout the Commonwealth called "reservations.”
A member-, donor-, volunteer-, and endowment-supported organization, The Trustees (and its affiliate, Boston Natural Areas Network) own and care for more than 100 spectacular reservations and 34 community gardens located on 25,000 acres in 73 communities throughout Massachusetts. From working farms and historic homesteads, several of which are National Historic Landmarks, to formal and community gardens, barrier beaches, open meadows, woodland trails, mountain vistas, a Gold LEED-certified green building, and a popular campground, all reservations are open for the public to enjoy.
The Trustees offer hundreds of programs and activities throughout the year, most of which are free-of-charge or discounted for members. In addition, The Trustees are a leader in the conservation movement and serve as a model for other land trusts nationally and internationally. Working with communities and conservation partners around the state in addressing important conservation issues and efforts, The Trustees hold conservation restrictions on more than 16,000 acres of privately owned land and have worked with partners around the state to assist in the protection of an additional 16,000 acres.
As land is being developed and open space is being fragmented at a rapid pace around the state, time is running out to save the best of Massachusetts’ landscapes and landmarks. To find out how you can protect a special place in your community, become a partner, request a speaker, and/or become a Trustee through your volunteer, donor, or membership contributions, please call 781.784.0567, visit www.thetrustees.org, or email membership@ttor.org. We are all Trustees.
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