Author Archive: caa

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 [email protected], 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.

Make Arbor Day Last All Year Long!

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Please note there will be a 1 hour delay in the start of this event. 

The Attleboro Land Trust is excited to once again distribute free trees in honor of Arbor Day. Our goal is to empower individuals to contribute to a healthier environment for generations to come.

The trees will be distributed, while supplies last, at the Attleboro Land Trust table at the Spring Fling, which is being held at Balfour Riverwalk Park in downtown Attleboro on Saturday, April 20.  Originally scheduled to run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, it will now start at 12:00 noon and end at 3:00 pm.

Both trees selected this year are native species that contribute significantly to our local wildlife habitat. When these trees flower in the spring, they attract pollinating insects, birds, and even bats.  By planting one of these beautiful trees in your yard, you will be supporting the survival of its pollinators, many of which are facing the peril of habitat loss.

Downy Serviceberry (photo credit: Arbor Day Foundation)

The Downy Serviceberry is a fine naturalizing species that is very adaptive to our local soils–on the edges of woodlands, the moist low areas, and the rocky slopes that are found in our area. The tree bears flowers in white drooping clusters at the beginning of spring in late April. Late summer finds small maroon fruit that birds are particularly fond of.  The tree’s fall color is pleasing though it does not last a long time. Arbor Day.org Downy Serviceberry Care Instructions

White/Bur Oak (photo credit: Arbor Day Foundation)

The White Oak/Bur Oak is a stalwart in woodlands as it supports many forms of life, from the soil to the top of the tree, including over 520 different pollinators.  Beginning in May, the flowers attract both nocturnal and diurnal insects, bats, butterflies, and birds, all of which help to produce acorns that are key to the survival of a number of birds and mammals.  Arbor Day.org White/Bur Oak Care Instructions

A huge thank you to the Arbor Day Foundation for providing affordable trees for our Arbor Day handout!

See their bare root planting instructions here:  https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm