A Successful Season

Posted on September 20, 2026September 25, 2026 by JR Johnson-Roehr

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

Black and white back of downy woodpecker.

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

A group of people heading into tall grass.

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

Group of people in summer clothes standing near trees.

Beholding the Beauty of Trees

Posted on August 1, 2026August 1, 2026 by JR Johnson-Roehr

Recently, Attleboro Land Trust board member and horticulturalist Phil Boucher led a group of enthusiastic learners on a “Beholding the Beauty of Trees” walk at Richardson Nature Preserve. The group heard about Red/Black and White Oaks, the suffocating threat of bittersweet vine, and how trees of different species may communicate with and support each through their root systems. Many thanks to Phil for generously sharing his time and knowledge, it was so fun to hear his stories about the evolution of the site’s gardens as well as learn more about the native roots and branches!

Please join us for one of our upcoming nature walks! Check our our schedule of events here.

Phil Boucher shows off the trees at Richardson Nature Preserve. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr

Richardson Nature Preserve. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr

Beholding the beauty of trees at Richardson Nature Preserve. Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr

Trail Camera Observations at the Lawrence Preserve

Posted on July 20, 2026August 5, 2026 by caa

These are some observations recorded on video by a team of students from Wheaton College during “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve.” This study, led by Associate Professor of Biology Jessie Knowlton, ran from June 2024 to June 2025, with the support of a grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation.

For better viewing, each video can be expanded to full screen.

Bobcat

Deer

Family of fisher cats

Larson Woodland – Where Nature and History Intersect

Posted on February 13, 2026July 10, 2026 by caa

Although only four acres in size, Larson Woodland sits at a strategic location, in a dense neighborhood, across from an elementary school, and next to a dam on the Ten Mile River whose flow had once powered a nearby cotton mill.

Autumn view of the dam at Mechanics Pond, 2008.

Great blue heron, 2014.

In 2019, Ben Cote led a guided walk along the Ten Mile River, stopping here in Larson Woodland.

Snapping turtles lay their eggs on Sandy Point. Image credit: David Laferriere

Fishing at Sandy Point, Larson Woodland, 2009.

Swan, Mechanics Pond, 2009.

Tufted Titmouse, Larson Woodland, 2007.

Fish census, 2020.

Large mouth bass

Yellow Bullhead Catfish

Annual Meeting on November 19 to Feature Wildlife Observations

Posted on November 7, 2024November 12, 2024 by caa

Wheaton Professor Jessie Knowlton, with her students at the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve

You are invited to attend the 35th annual meeting of the Attleboro Land Trust:

Tuesday, November 19
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
505 North Main Street, Attleboro

The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm with the traditional social gathering with light refreshments, followed at 7:00 pm by the business meeting and keynote address.

We are excited to have Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, deliver our keynote: “A Year in the Life of the Lawrence Preserve.”

Professor Knowlton will be discussing the one-year scientific study of our Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve that began this summer and share the observations that her team from Wheaton and our local “citizen scientists” have made to date. Her presentation will include photos and video from a remotely-triggered wildlife camera, including deer, wood ducks, a coyote, and a bobcat.

This project, which will lead to recommendations for protecting the Lawrence Preserve ecosystem, is supported by a Giving While Living Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation.

The annual meeting is open to the public, so please bring a friend. Only members of the Attleboro Land Trust may vote during the brief business meeting.

If you have donated $25 or more in the past year, you are automatically considered a member. If you have donated $50 or more in the past year, two adult members of your household are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Members should have received a notice of the meeting by U.S. mail. If you donate now, your membership will not expire until December 31, 2025.

Learn more about the Lawrence Preserve Study at the Attleboro Public Library on October 7

Posted on September 23, 2024October 20, 2024 by caa

Several volunteers look on as biology professor Jessie Knowlton demonstrates how to use the iNaturalist app to record observations at the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve.

The Attleboro Land Trust’s Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve is currently the focus of a one-year scientific study of its ecosystem. Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, is leading the study, which began in June.

Professor Knowlton and her team of Wheaton students have already identified many species of plants and animals observed over the summer. The study will continue through fall, winter, and spring. You are invited to help as a Volunteer Observer by visiting the Preserve once in each season on your own and reporting what you observe.

To find out more about how the study is being conducted, and how you can help, you are invited to attend a free Orientation Session to be held on Monday, October 7, at 7:00 pm at the Attleboro Public Library, 74 North Main Street, Attleboro.

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

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

Posted on August 31, 2024November 14, 2024 by caa

The Attleboro Land Trust invites you to participate in 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. More information is available on the project page.

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, ask 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.

Would you like to be a volunteer observer?

Posted on July 29, 2024August 31, 2024 by caa

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

Posted on June 25, 2024July 29, 2024 by caa

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.

Meet Woody the Beech Tree

Posted on April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 by caa

For those of you who did not attend the Family Tree Day and meet Woody the Talking Beech Tree, you can still see Woody by walking to the end of the Beech Point trail at the O’Donnell Nature Preserve on Bishop Street. Parking is available at Finberg Field.

Here is a recording of what Woody said on Family Tree Day.

“My name is Woodrow, but you can call me Woody. That’s what my friends call me. We trees don’t normally talk like humans. Sometimes you can hear us whisper, with a little help from the wind.”

“You may have noticed that we Beech trees love to show off. When you walk through the woods in the middle of winter you’ll notice that all of the other trees have dropped their leaves on the ground–well, except for a few oaks. But it’s us well-dressed Beech trees that stand out in the forests of New England, our leaves tinted beige as the winter light passes through them.”

“When I reach old age, my bark becomes brittle, and my branches are bare, I may remain standing for years, providing shelter for a woodpecker looking for a place to carve out a home and raise a family.”