Charron Farm Preserve to Open on October 10
The Attleboro Land Trust is pleased to announce the opening of its newest property, the Charron Farm Preserve on Morse Avenue in Attleboro. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 10, at 1:00 PM. The rain date will be October 11. The preserve was generously donated to the land trust in 2023 by members of the Charron family. Following a brief formal program, attendees will have the opportunity to take a guided walk of the newly opened trail.
The Attleboro Land Trust is a non-profit organization that preserves 740 acres in the Attleboro area through direct ownership or conservation restrictions. The Charron Farm Preserve encompasses 12 acres and now includes a hiking trail around a hay field and former farmland. It is a key acquisition that has the potential to connect additional public conservation acreage, while it provides an opportunity for outdoor recreation in the city and further promotes species conservation and a healthy environment.
The Charron property represents agriculture in the Attleboro area across the twentieth century. It was typical of small family farms that grew a variety of crops and livestock and witnessed the arrival of such modern conveniences as electricity and tractors. Many farms were run by intergenerational households with members who also worked in Attleboro industry; the donors’ father, Theodore Henry Charron, was a tool and die maker. In 1959, parts of the farm were leveled to provide gravel for the construction of Interstate 95.
Directions: From downtown Attleboro, take County Street south for 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Read Street and drive 1/2 mile. Turn left onto Morse Avenue and drive 1/4 mile. Turn into the gravel parking area on your right.
Any cancellations due to weather will be posted at attleborolandtrust.org.
A Successful Season
The Attleboro Land Trust concluded its summer series of outdoor events on Saturday with a birding walk at Richardson Nature Preserve. Led by ALT Board member JR Johnson-Roehr, a group of 19 gathered in the early morning to scout the meadows, woods, and gardens for late-season birds. Their efforts were rewarded with great looks at a trio of Downy Woodpeckers, a garrulous group of Gray Catbirds, the nimble movements of a White-Breasted Nuthatch, a Mourning dove imitating a puff-ball as it warmed itself on a sunlit branch, and the frequent vocalizations of local Blue Jays. Perhaps the best moment of the day was witnessing the flight of a large flock of Common Grackle as the black birds came together for a fall migration flight.
Early morning birding advice. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr
Learning about birds and trees. Image credit: Kate Viens
Downy Woodpecker. Image credit: Paul Viens
White-Breasted Nuthatch. Image credit: Paul Viens
ALT Vice President and horticulturist Phil Boucher, who started off our summer events with a well-attended tree walk at Richardson Preserve, also joined the group. He provided details about history of the property and answered questions about the trees as we scoured their branches for birds.
Phil Boucher talks about trees. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr
Tufted Titmouse. Image credit: Paul Viens
In August, naturalist Gary Krofta led a guided walk through the Lawrence Wildlife Preserve in South Attleboro. Because of the dry weather, attendees were able to explore deep into the marsh. After circumambulating the wooded section of the preserve, 22 intrepid adventurers joined Gary on a journey into shoulder-high grasses and over uneven ground to explore the shifting habitats along the Seven Mile River.
Gary Krofta shares some words about sassafras. Image credit: Kate Viens
Heading into the marsh at Lawrence Wildlife Preserve. Image credit: Kate Viens
We hope you were able to enjoy one of these outings with us! Keep an eye on our events calendar and look for an announcement about our annual meeting to arrive soon.
A place to rest at Richardson Nature Preserve. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr