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It’s not too late for you, or your child, to play a part in our scientific study

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The Attleboro Land Trust invites you to participate in “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve”, a one-year scientific study of the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve.  Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, is leading the study, which began in June.

Members of the public are invited to participate in the project as Volunteer Observers by visiting the Preserve on their own and reporting what they observe.  Professor Knowlton and her team of Wheaton students have already identified many species of plants and animals observed over the summer.  However, one goal of the study is to record seasonal changes in the Lawrence Preserve ecosystem, so it would help to have more eyes and ears at the site throughout the remaining nine months of the study.  You, as a citizen scientist, might encounter an elusive bird, mammal, or amphibian that no one has yet seen.

You may submit observations in the form of photos, videos, drawings, notes, or audio recordings.  If you are tech savvy, you may upload photos using a free cell phone app called iNaturalist. Photos submitted may be viewed at the iNaturalist website.

At the conclusion of the study, a final report will include recommendations for maintaining and protecting the Preserve’s ecosystem, and for engaging the public in stewardship of the property.

If you or your child would like to sign up as a Volunteer Observer, use the online form on this website or email attleborolandtrust@gmail.com.  If you are under 18, you need an adult partner to co-sign your application and go with you on your site visits.

This project is made possible by a Giving While Living Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation.

 

 

Attleboro Public Library Presents a Mushroom Hunting Class

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Join Ryan and Emily from The Mushroom Hunting Foundation for their slideshow class, “An Introduction to Mushroom Hunting”! This class will focus on the mushrooms that are available in Southern New England in the fall. Using gorgeous photography, this basic class “An Introduction to Mushroom Hunting” will focuses on some mushrooms that are safe for beginners; and of course every slideshow covers the crucial background of mushroom science and safety.  Get a blank notebook and write Mushroom Hunting Journal on the cover…you will want to take notes on this presentation!

Please register to ensure that we have adequate space. Contact Darcie at dschillinger@sailsinc.org or 508-222-0157 with any questions.  And look for the companion Fall Mushroom Walk a week later, on Wednesday September 18th!

Wednesday, September 11
6:00 PM  –  7:30 PM
Marble Lobby, Attleboro Public Library
Register here

Guided Mushroom Hunting Walk at the Richardson Nature Preserve

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Join Ryan and Emily from The Mushroom Hunting Foundation on a Guided Mushroom Walk! We will meet at the Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve at 577B Wilmarth St., in Attleboro, to begin our hunt. Participants will meet back at the parking area by 6:30 pm to talk about our finds! Participants are encouraged to also attend the mushroom hunting slideshow on 9/11, but it is not a requirement.

Please register to ensure that we have enough space for all participants. Contact Darcie at dschillinger@sailsinc.org or 508-222-0157 with any questions.

Wednesday, September 18
5:00 PM  –  7:00 PM
at the Richardson Nature Preserve
Sponsored by the Attleboro Public Library
Register here  There are 17 spaces available.

302 Species observed at the Lawrence Preserve

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Our scientific study of the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve has documented 302 different plants and animals since observations began on June 6.  These results can be viewed on the iNaturalist website, where our project is named “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve.”  Eighteen members of our project have uploaded photos of their observations using the iNaturalist app on their cellphones.  Participants include project leader Jessie Knowlton, several of her students at Wheaton College, and some of you!

The study will continue until June 2025, and we expect many more species to be identified as the seasons change.

To view our project on iNaturalist, use this link:  www.inaturalist.org/projects/a-year-in-the-life-of-the-lawrence-preserve

To join the project as a volunteer observer, use our online form.

Would you like to be a volunteer observer?

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The Attleboro Land Trust invites you to participate in “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve”, a one-year scientific study of the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve.  Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, is leading the study and providing guidance to participants.

Volunteer Observers are asked to visit the Preserve on their own at least once in each of the four seasons and to report what plants and animals they observe.  These reports may include notes, sketches, photographs, and audio or video recordings.  The volunteer reports will be reviewed every three months and combined with the observations of Professor Knowlton and her students.  The data will then be summarized and made available to the public.

The study began in June and will end on June 21, 2025.  A final report will include recommendations for maintaining and protecting the Preserve’s ecosystem, and for engaging the public in stewardship of the property.

There is still time, if you or your child would like to be a Volunteer Observer.  You may sign up by email to attleborolandtrust@gmail.com, or by using the online sign-up form on this website.  If you are under 18, you must have an adult partner to accompany you on your site visits and to co-sign your application.

This project is made possible by a Giving While Living Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation.

ALT Receives a $10,000 Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation

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The Attleboro Land Trust is pleased to announce that we have received a $10,000 Giving While Living Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation, whose mission is to support nonprofit organizations that work locally to protect our environment, with a special focus on water resources.  We are one of 10 non-profits receiving grants out of 35 organizations nominated.  There is no application process, and we did not know we were one of the nominees.

The ALT will use the funds to study and protect the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve in South Attleboro.  The 59-acre Preserve, most of which was donated by Anthony Lawrence in 1994, includes a stretch of the Seven Mile River which winds through a pristine open marsh.  Grant money will be used initially to support a scientific study of the Preserve’s ecosystem, and then to address any needs identified.

The study, “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve,” has just been launched and will continue for one year.  Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, is leading the study and a group of Wheaton students are working under her direction.  We have also invited members of the public to participate in the study as Volunteer Observers.  This will be a direct educational benefit to those children and adults who participate, as well as providing additional observational data for inclusion in the study.

The ALT was nominated for this grant by Sherri Peak-Palermo, an Attleboro resident who works at the Providence office of Woodard & Curran, an environmental consulting firm.  The Woodard & Curran Foundation is supported by donations from the firm and its employees.

We are honored to have been chosen as a grant recipient, and grateful to be able to devote funds toward enhancing the preservation of one of our most pristine properties.

Trail Dedicated to Former ALT President Larry St. Pierre

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On Saturday, June 1, a trail at the Handy Street Conservation Area, 109 Handy Street, was formally opened to the public.  The 80-acre preserve was acquired by the City of Attleboro in 2014 in a collaborative project that also involved the Attleboro Land Trust and Mass Audubon.  The trail is named in memory of Larry St. Pierre, who served as president of the land trust from 1991 to 1994 and 1997 to 2001.

The dedication ceremony featured remarks by Mayor Cathleen DeSimone, State Representative Jim Hawkins, Attleboro Conservation Agent Nick Wyllie, and Larry’s sister Linda and brother Michael.  Following the ceremony, Gary Krofta led a guided walk along the trail.

A temporary map of the trail is available here.  The program for the event may be downloaded here.

Mayor Cathleen DeSimone read a proclamation in memory of Larry St. Pierre as his son Joshua and widow Donna looked on.    Image credit: Dick LaCivita

State Representative Jim Hawkins spoke to thank everyone present for their efforts in preserving open space in the City.

Larry’s sister Linda and brother Michael shared some memories of Larry.    Image credit: Ken Salome

Donna and Joshua unveiled the sign while Charlie Adler formally dedicated the trail in memory of Larry.    Image credit: Ken Salome

The sign in memory of Larry explains his deep connection to this part of Attleboro. His grandparents owned a farm nearby on Park Street.    Image credit: Ken Salome

The family of Larry St. Pierre gathered around the sign created in his memory.    Image credit: Ken Salome

In fulfillment of the requirements for the rank of Eagle, Raphaiah Joseph, Troop 314, Foxborough, installed signposts along a new trail extension that will connect the St. Pierre Trail to Locust Street.    Image credit: Ken Salome

Scout Christopher Vallejos, Troop 25, Attleboro, built a boardwalk on a portion of the St. Pierre Trail to fulfill his requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout.    Image credit: Ken Salome

Gary Krofta led a guided walk along the St. Pierre Trail.    Image credit: Ken Salome

Conservation Agent Nick Wyllie (standing next to Gary) represented the Conservation Commission, owner of the Handy Street Conservation Area.    Image credit: Ken Salome

Trail to be named for former ALT president Larry St. Pierre

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On Saturday, June 1, a trail at the Handy Street Conservation Area, 109 Handy Street, will be formally opened to the public.  The 80-acre preserve was acquired by the City of Attleboro in 2014 in a collaborative project that also involved the Attleboro Land Trust and Mass Audubon.  The trail will be named in memory of Larry St. Pierre, who served as president of the land trust from 1991 to 1994 and 1997 to 2001.

The public is invited to attend the opening ceremony, beginning at 1:00 pm.  Following the ceremony, there will be a guided walk along the trail.  If you are planning to join the guided walk, wear footwear appropriate for muddy conditions.

Vehicle parking is limited. Additional parking on Doral Lane.

A temporary map of the trail is available here.

The program for the event may be downloaded here.

 

Help Clean Up the Richardson Preserve on April 27

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A Spring Clean-Up will be held on Saturday, April 27, at the Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve, 577B Wilmarth Street, Attleboro, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Your participation will be welcomed, whether you have volunteered before or this is your first time.

Maintenance tasks will include:
— Raking up fallen branches in lawn areas
— Picking up trash
— Pruning along edges of lawns, hayfields, and street
— Removing invasive plants
— Weeding flower gardens

Tools needed may include:
— Standard rakes and leaf rakes
— Loppers, pruning shears, pruning saws, and other pruning tools
— Shovels
— String trimmers, weed whackers, brush cutters
— Chain saw
— Gardening tools

We will have some tools, but please bring what you have.

Dress accordingly for protection against poison ivy and ticks. Please bring your own:
— Work gloves
— Water

Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Rain date is Sunday, April 28, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Any cancellations due to weather will be posted on this website.