Category Archives: PARTNERSHIPS

Some of our greatest successes have been achieved by partnering with other organizations in the community.

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

MLK Day Event to be co-sponsored by ALT

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Please join us on Monday, January 15, 2024, as the MLK Committee of Greater Attleboro hosts its 37th annual commemoration of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The program theme: environmental equity, will address racism in outdoor spaces and other environmental issues impacting African Americans and historically marginalized groups.

The day’s events will feature a municipal program with local and state representatives at 1:00 p.m. at Attleboro City Hall, followed by an interfaith service at 2:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 841 North Main St, Attleboro.

At the interfaith service, Kalila Barnett will deliver a keynote address on the committee’s theme: “The Nature Gap: Bridging the Racial Divide in Outdoor Spaces.” Ms. Barnett is the senior program officer of Climate Resilience at the Barr Foundation and serves on the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Council. The service will also feature a performance by storyteller V Raffini, selected readings from local clergy, and music by steel pan drummer Jefferey Clayton and the Attleboro High School Mixed Chorus.

The Attleboro Land Trust board voted in October to co-sponsor the keynote presentation and will be at the church to greet community members following the service. We hope you’ll attend and join us in celebrating Dr. King’s 95th Birthday!

A New Partnership in Plainville

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The Attleboro Land Trust has partnered with Wildlands Trust, a regional land trust based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to ensure the continued preservation of land that has been under the stewardship of Crystal Spring, a spiritually-oriented ecology center in Plainville, since 1991.  Until recently, Crystal Spring was a vital center for learning and practicing ecological pursuits such as organic gardening.  Sadly, the center is now closed and a 6-acre portion of the land containing residential buildings and meeting spaces has been sold.

While Crystal Spring has closed its doors, the vision of the Dominican Sisters who founded the center was that most of the land would remain in its natural state as forested upland, and they made sure that the necessary protections would be in place before they left.  In 2008 Wildlands Trust agreed to play a role in this plan by holding a legally-enforceable conservation restriction on the vacant portion of the property.  Last year, Wildlands Trust transferred the responsibility for that conservation restriction, which protects 36 acres, to the Attleboro Land Trust.  Soon, the Dominican Sisters will convey ownership of the 36 acres to Wildlands Trust.

Once that final step is completed, Wildlands Trust will assume an expanded role as as owner and manager of the property and its hiking trails, which will be open to the public.  The ALT will carry the ongoing responsibility for monitoring the condition of the property on an annual basis, and making sure that the terms of the conservation restriction are observed.

The completion of this agreement with Wildlands Trust brings the total area of conservation land protected by the Attleboro Land Trust up to 728 acres.

15th Annual River Clean-Up to be held September 25th.

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Please join us in supporting the Ten Mile River cleanup on September 25th. (8am -11am)

(Information below from the Sun Chronicle Article)

Members of the general public, conservation commissioners, Attleboro Land Trust members and other local groups will work alongside elected officials including Mayor Paul Heroux and members of the council.

Volunteers can sign up on the day of the event at a tent in the Community Gardens on Riverbank Road.

The GPS address is 37 Hayward St., Attleboro.

Some supplies will be available, although anyone wanting to be a “River Rat” should bring their own waders or wetsuit.

Families and children are welcome to collect trash along the river walkways.

Free refreshments will be supplied by Dunkin’.

Sponsors are Heroux, the land trust, conservation commission, Dunkin’ and Friends of the Ten Mile River.

For more information contact Nick Wyllie at 508-223-2222, ext. 3145.

Announcing an opportunity to serve with Americorps in Attleboro

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TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps-affiliated environmental nonprofit, has selected the Attleboro Land Trust as a partner for the 2020-21 TerraCorps program year. This partnership will allow the Attleboro Land Trust to host one “Land Stewardship/Community Engagement Coordinator” in a full-time 8-month service position from December 2020 to July 2021.

TerraCorps members serve communities by developing local partnerships, leading activities, and engaging with volunteers. Members have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience and receive professional development training and mentorship. As part of AmeriCorps, members also receive a living allowance, and are eligible for healthcare coverage, childcare coverage, loan forbearance, and an education award.

The Attleboro Land Trust’s member will focus on (1) activities to enhance and protect the 492 acres of conservation land under its care and (2) engagement with the public to increase awareness of and involvement with the land trust’s mission across all sectors of the community.

To apply for this position, visit terracorps.org.  For questions about serving with TerraCorps, contact Lianna Lee ([email protected]). For more about the TerraCorps position in Attleboro, contact Charlie Adler ([email protected]).

Virtual Mythology “G-Odyssey” Scavenger Hunt

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The Attleboro Land Trust is again hosting an activity for families as part of the annual Big Read program of the Attleboro Public Library.  This year, the entire community is reading the book Circe by Madeline Miller.  The activity is a Scavenger Hunt to find hidden gods and goddesses from the book using the free GooseChase EDU smartphone app.  You may participate in this activity on your own schedule from dawn to dusk today through October 18 at the Phil and Ginny Leach Wildlife Sanctuary.

On your smartphone, go to your app store and search for GooseChase. Download and open the app.  You can “Play as Guest” without needing to open a new account.  Search for “Circe” and you will find the Circe Mythology G-Odyssey Scavenger Hunt.

You will be asked to name your team, but it is OK if you are just one.  Follow the directions and enjoy the game.

Here is a map if you need it:  Leach Sanctuary Trail Map

(This event was originally going to be at the Richardson Nature Preserve, but that site is not available due to a construction project.)

 

Stop & Shop community bag program participation resumes in November

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The Attleboro land trust would like to thank Stop and Shop and all those who purchased a reusable bag in September.  To date the program has donated $178 to the Land Trust.

We are please to announce that we have been chosen again as a participant to the program in the month of November.

Purchase a reusable Community Bag from the Stop & Shop located at 251 Washington Street, Attleboro, and a portion of that purchase will support the land trust.

The Attleboro Land Trust has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for the month of November. The Land Trust will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during November.

The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.  The Attleboro Land Trust was selected as the September beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Stop & Shop located at 251 Washington Street, Attleboro MA.

For more information on the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, visit stopandshop.bags4mycause.com

 

Another Milestone Accomplished at Richardson Preserve

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Many hands combined to help the Attleboro Land Trust complete a new split rail fence on the Richardson Preserve just in time for the Opening Celebration on June 9.

With the support of Sensata Technologies of Attleboro, four Sensata employees managed to complete the installation of more than 400 feet of split rail fencing along the western boundary of the property on May 31.  This is yet another outstanding accomplishment in an ongoing partnership with Sensata.

Local businesses National Fence of Attleboro and Norton Equipment Rental were generous in their support of the project.  The Attleboro Conservation Commission provided funds to purchase the materials.

Even with a powerful auger, the team had to stop many times to dislodge some heavy boulders.    Image credit: C Adler

Richardson Boardwalks Completed

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Thank you, Sensata Team, for volunteering your skills and energies over two days of hard work to build three new boardwalks at the Richardson Preserve on October 12 and 19. Your efforts will enable us to open new trails that will be enjoyed by the public for years to come.

Sensata team constructs boardwalk at Richardson Preserve    Image credit: C Adler

Boardwalk construction in progress    Image credit: C Adler