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.
North Attleboro’s Rural Landscape…Viewed from All Angles
On November 14, a group of more than 20 hikers met at the Chorney Property on Ellis Road to enjoy a rural landscape that has so far avoided development, despite being close to population centers. The hike was organized by the North Attleboro Land Trust Steering Committee (NALTSC), a group of citizens who want to help ensure the preservation of such landscapes.
Hikers crossed a bridge over the Seven Mile River.
Guide Gary Krofta led hikers to a spot populated by beech trees, which retain their leaves all winter.
Hikers headed north on Ellis Road, past working farms like this one.
Guide Jill Miller explained various state programs that provide economic help to farmers who want to preserve their land.
Approaching the historic Angle Tree Stone.
Getting closer.
The Angle Tree Stone is protected by bullet-proof glass. (This photo by Scspaeth https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angle_Tree_Stone_2016.jpg. All other photos by C. Adler.)
Guide Ann Chapdelaine describes some of the history surrounding the Angle Tree Stone.
Hike to Angle Tree Stone
The North Attleboro Land Trust Steering Committee invites you to join them on a guided hike of the Chorney Property and nearby Angle Tree Stone on Sunday, November 14th at 2pm.
The Chorney Property is town land managed by the North Attleboro Conservation Commission.
The Angle Tree Stone is a nine-foot slate monument made in 1790 by a father and son team that manufactured gravestone markers. It replaced an actual tree that had long been used as a boundary marker between the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies. Today, the Angle Tree Stone marks the border between North Attleborough and Plainville, as well as the boundary between Bristol and Norfolk counties.
Hikers will meet at the parking lot for the Chorney Property, on Ellis Road across from the intersection with Metcalf Road. The hike will first walk the Chorney trails, through three open fields and over a boardwalk which crosses the Seven Mile River. Hikers will then walk 1.3 miles, via Ellis Road, High Street, a side road, and a path, to the Angle Tree Stone monument. After viewing the monument, hikers will return by the same route to the Chorney parking lot. The total length of the hike will be 4 miles.
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The rain date is November 21. Any cancellations will be posted on the Attleboro Land Trust website: attleborolandtrust.org
Questions, please contact Susan Taylor at susan@susantaylorconsulting.com or 774-251-4616.
Here is a map of the hike area: Angle Tree Hike – Map
Fall Colors
The cool, wet summer weather has led to a display of mushrooms in colors that are not normally part of the fall display. The photos below were all taken at the Joseph and Margaret O’Donnell Nature Preserve in September.
A most agreeable feathered favourite
Visitors to the Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve will notice something new: six birdhouses designed specifically for Eastern Bluebirds. This beautiful bird migrates south for the winter and returns in the spring. The birdhouses were made by Scout Eric Carey in 2014 as part of an Eagle project and placed in the meadow at the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve. However, not many bluebirds took residence in them.
This year we decided to move the birdhouses to the Upper and Lower Hayfields at the Richardson Preserve, where bluebirds are more common. (Thanks to the volunteers who made this happen!).
Male Eastern Bluebird – Photo by Lee R. DeHaan
John J. Audubon wrote admiringly of the bluebird as follows: “It adds to the delight imparted by spring, and enlivens the dull days of winter. Full of innocent vivacity, warbling its ever pleasing notes, and familiar as any bird can be in its natural freedom, it is one of the most agreeable of our feathered favourites.”
Earth Week Activities for Families
Earth Day is normally celebrated on April 22nd. The Attleboro Land Trust will be stretching its observance into an “Earth Week” with free activities for families from April 19th to 23rd. The activities will be geared to children aged 6 to 13, but all ages are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire duration of the event.
Three time slots will be available on each day of Earth Week. The time slots are 11am-12:15pm, 12:30pm-1:45pm and 2pm-3:15pm. Click on one of the links below to sign up for an activity at your chosen time.
Monday, April 19: “Slow Down and Look Around #1” Discover the natural features that exist right in your backyard with this nature scavenger hunt. (Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve) SIGN_UP
Tuesday, April 20: “How Curious Are You?” Learn to see nature through the eyes of a curious naturalist while gathering nature items. (Larson Woodland) SIGN_UP
Wednesday, April 21: “Letting Nature Inspire Your Art” Focus on the beauty around you and create your own artwork with materials obtained from nature along with provided materials. (Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve) SIGN_UP
Thursday, April 22: “Slow Down and Look Around #2” Discover the natural features that exist right in your backyard with this nature scavenger hunt. (Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve) SIGN_UP
Friday, April 23: “Can you Identify these Trees/Plants?” Practice and learn how to identify certain types of trees and plants found in these areas. (Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve) SIGN_UP
For more information or questions, contact Evan Foster at evanfosterALT@gmail.com.
When hiking our trails, don’t forget to bring insect repellent
In Massachusetts, mosquitoes can give you eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus or West Nile virus (WNV). Today’s Sun Chronicle reports that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Attleboro.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, there are simple steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites, and the illnesses they can cause.
Protect yourself from illness by doing simple things:
- Use insect repellents any time you are outdoors
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season
- Repair damaged window and door screens
- Remove standing water from the areas around your home
More information is available here.
Walking the boundaries at the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve
On Saturday, March 7, 2020, a group of volunteers walked the boundaries of the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve. The purpose of the walk was to inspect the condition of the preserve, check for any encroachment of the boundaries, and find existing boundary markers. From the parking area on Richardson Avenue, we headed for the far corners of the property.
A snowfall the previous night had added a sparkle to the landscape.
After crossing the power line easement, we found a steel pipe marking the SE corner of Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve. This point is on the town line between Attleboro and Norton.
We placed a witness post near the pipe to make it easier to find next time.
The pipe is at the end of this stone wall.
We added a sign with our visitor regulations.
We walked the entire length of the power line easement from south to north.
We put up another regulation sign at the edge of the power line along our northern boundary.
Thanks to all who attended the walk!
Boundary Walks on March 14 and 21 are cancelled
A series of boundary walks was planned for the first three Saturdays in March, weather permitting. The purpose of boundary walks is to maintain signs and markers along the boundaries and to check for encroachment.
The first boundary walk was held at the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve, 221 Richardson Avenue, on Saturday, March 7.