Category Archives: STEWARDSHIP

A major responsibility of our organization is the maintenance and management of our conservation lands. Some of the most important tasks are to keep our trails open, to encourage visitors to follow our posted rules, and to maintain well-marked boundaries.

A Successful Clean-Up at the Charron Farm Preserve

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A determined group of volunteers gathered at the Charron Farm Preserve to do some maintenance brush and briar clearing at the edge of this heritage hay field. Armed with loppers and ladders, saws and pruning shears, we tackled the thorny overgrowth encroaching on the perimeter walking path. The weather was ideal for working outdoors, and we (as well as a passing flock of turkeys) enjoyed a morning full of sunshine. And shout out to Ted Charron for carrying out the brush with his farm equipment.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers! If you’d like to join us on a similar project, keep an eye on our volunteer opportunities, and please consider joining the Attleboro Land Trust. The Charron Farm Preserve isn’t open to the public yet, but it should be soon. Stay tuned!

A briar-free walking path at Charron Farm Preserve.

All clear!    Image credit: Ken Salome, Karole Nicholson

A graphic showing various volunteer activities, butterflies and red flowers

Intro to the ALT and Update on Current Projects – April 8

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With the coming of spring, the Attleboro Land Trust is busy with trail maintenance and other projects on its 504 acres of conservation land. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Charlie Adler will provide an update on what the land trust is doing and how you can help. The presentation will be at the Attleboro Public Library, 74 Main Street, Attleboro, at 7:00 pm. There will be plenty of time for questions, and an opportunity to sign up to help with all facets of the organization, including educational activities for families, fundraising, boundary monitoring, habitat restoration, and saving more land.

Clean-Up at Charron Farm Preserve on April 4

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A Clean-Up will be held at the Charron Farm Preserve on Saturday, April 4, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.  We will appreciate the help of anyone who would like to join us in this effort.

Our goal for the Preserve is to maintain the hayfield for the production of an annual crop of hay as well as for the enjoyment of visitors hiking the property.  Our focus on April 4 will be to trim excess growth along the perimeter of the field to maintain a clear edge between field and forest.

The main tasks will be:

  • Pruning and cutting back brush, vines, and thorny briars along the edge of the hayfield
  • Removing some invasive plants entirely
  • Removing overhanging branches, for the safety of the operator of the tractor when the hay is cut

We will have tools you can use, but if you have your own, please bring some with you, such as:

  • Loppers, pruning shears, pruning saws, and other pruning tools
  • Weed whackers, brush cutters
  • Standard rakes and leaf rakes

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 Saturday, April 11, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Any cancellations due to weather will be posted here.

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.
Look for signs directing you to parking on the field.

The Charron Farm Preserve is not yet officially open to the public, but it should be soon.  Stay tuned!

Preview of what’s to come

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On August 9th, eighteen people got a preview of what’s in store when the Charron Farm Preserve is opened to the public.  There is still a lot to do.  Keep an eye on this website for announcements of work parties at the Preserve.  We rely on volunteer help for all that we do.  Thanks to Dick LaCivita for the photos below.

Volunteer opportunity – April 19

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Tasks:
Trimming and stacking tree branches and brush along field edges

Tools needed (we will provide some, but bring what you have):
Loppers, pruning shears, pole saws/pruners, pruning saws, garden rakes, and other pruning tools
String trimmers, weed whackers, brush cutters, sturdy step ladders.

Please bring your own:  work gloves, water bottles

Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please RSVP to Ken Salome:  ksalome2@comcast.net

Thanks, Marcum!

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Thanks to these volunteers from Marcum LLP for their clean-up efforts at the Richardson Preserve on November 27.  A large swath of the invasive multi-flora rose has been removed from the Lower Hayfield.  This plant is known for its sharp thorns, which make it challenging to remove!

18th Annual City of Attleboro River Clean-Up

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Help the City clean up the Ten-Mile River!  Join the 18th Annual City of Attleboro River Clean-up on Saturday October 26th.  Meet at the Judith Robbins Riverfront Park at 8:00 AM to clean up around the River and the walking paths connected to the river.   Event runs till 11:00 AM.

For more information contact Attleboro Conservation Agent Nick Wyllie at 508-223-2222 ext 3145.

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

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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

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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.

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.  As a citizen scientist, you might spot a rare bird or other animal or plant that no one else has 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, 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?

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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.