Thanks to everyone who participated in our 5K Challenge fundraiser on November 9. About 65 people completed the hike and we raised about $700.
Category Archives: TAKING A WALK
Visitors are attracted to our nature preserves to pursue a variety of outdoor activities. What all these activities have in common are the health benefits and pure enjoyment of being in the presence of nature.
Annual Meeting on November 19 to Feature Wildlife Observations
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
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
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 [email protected]. 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.
Guided Mushroom Hunting Walk at the Richardson Nature Preserve
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 [email protected] 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.
Would you like to be a volunteer observer?
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.
Trail Dedicated to Former ALT President Larry St. Pierre
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
Full Moon Hike
Join us on Thursday January 25th for a full moon hike at the Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve. Beginning at 8 pm, ALT board members will lead a moonlit walk through the preserve. Dress warmly, including shoes that are waterproof, and bring a flashlight or headlamp. Walk is a little less than a mile! Short and sweet, but a great opportunity to see the full moon and its beauty!
Meet at parking lot at 577B Wilmarth Street.
Any cancellations due to weather conditions or overcast skies will be posted on our Facebook page.
Dogs not permitted at this event.
It’s Time to Update the City’s Open Space and Recreation Plan – NEW DATE
The City of Attleboro needs to update its Open Space and Recreation Plan. Citizens are invited to attend a public workshop at Attleboro City Hall, 77 Park Street, on Thursday, , at 6:30 pm. At this workshop, attendees will join in small groups to generate recommendations for actions the City should be taking to protect open space and to provide recreational opportunities. (This event was originally scheduled for Sept. 13 but was not held on that date due to weather.)
More information at: attleboroosrp.com