Tag Archives: lawrence

A Successful Season

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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.

A group gathers under a tree.

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 on tree.

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 in the leaves.

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 holds up a sassafras leaf.

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.

Bench under tree.

A place to rest at Richardson Nature Preserve.    Image credit: Catherine Johnson-Roehr

Trail Camera Observations at the Lawrence Preserve

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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

Bobcat

Deer

Family of fisher cats

Orange butterfly in green plants.

Meet Us Outside!

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The Attleboro Land Trust has organized several summer and fall outings. Please join us for one or more of these free events to learn more about the natural world nearby!

Nature Walk through the Lawrence Wildlife Preserve

Naturalist Gary Krofta will guide us through this South Attleboro property along the Seven Mile River, home to red-winged blackbirds, cattails, and colorful wildflowers. Join us for this FREE event on Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 to 10:30 AM (rain date August 16,1:30 PM). Meet at Lawrence Wildlife Preserve, 45 Hope Avenue, Attleboro. Note: street parking is available, but please do not block driveways or mailboxes.

Introduction to Birdwatching
Have you ever wondered which birds make the sounds you hear in the woods or who comes to your birdfeeder? JR Johnson-Roehr will show us how to identify native birds and migratory species on their autumn travels. Note: bring binoculars if you have them. Join us for this FREE event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 7:30 to 9:00 AM (rain date September 20, same time). Meet at Richardson Nature Preserve, 577B Wilmarth Street, Attleboro.

Annual Meeting on November 19 to Feature Wildlife Observations

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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

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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.

ALT Receives a $10,000 Grant from the Woodard & Curran Foundation

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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.

Another Eagle Project Benefits the Attleboro Land Trust

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The Attleboro Land Trust recently benefitted from the completion of an Eagle project by Scout James Schwab of Troop 25 in Attleboro.  James and his crew constructed three bulletin boards and installed one at each of these properties:  the Leach Sanctuary, the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve, and the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve.  The bulletin boards will be used to post trail maps, trail regulations, and other information about the properties.  We appreciate the hard work that went into this project.

James Schwab and crew installing a new bulletin board at the Leach Wildlife Sanctuary.    Image credit: C. Adler

Spring is Here! – Blog Post #4

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View of the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve.

My walk began with a deep inhale while starting down the Anthony Lawrence Wildlife Preserve trail. The air was crisp and refreshing as the sun streamed through the trees hitting the ground to create a light show. The transition from winter to spring was unfolding before my eyes. The daily temperatures were rising, the buds on the trees were unfolding, and the birds were coming back to sing their songs. The excitement was in the air as the trees, birds and animals were beginning to stir. Life had hit pause for the harsh winter, but now everything seemed to dance and smile once again. The silence that we all often experience during winter was muted by the sounds of spring. The birds complimented one another without much effort and created a beautiful song. One of the great wonders of springtime is when the frogs and salamanders make their move towards the vernal pools to lay their eggs. During this time, it is hard to miss their loud noises. If you ever walk by a vernal pool during this time, then you will most likely hear the frogs signaling the start of spring.

Buds developing as spring comes.

Now, it isn’t just the frogs, trees and birds that begin to stir with excitement, but humans are also beginning the spring dance. When I feel the warmer temperatures and sun hitting my face, a sense of inspiration overcomes me. My productivity, happiness, and motivation increase greatly. The Land Trust work relies heavily on this inspiration to create the positive impact on our communities. How interesting that this inspiration comes from the very thing that we are trying to protect: nature. My hope for all of you is that you feel inspired to get involved. The change that we need to ensure a healthy future starts and ends with your motivation to get involved. My challenge for you is to get involved with your community with something that you are passionate about. The energy and excitement that you bring to the table could be the spark that ignites real change. Once you get involved, bring someone along with you to show them the work that you have been doing. Spring is a time for action. The sun is out, the warm temperatures are here and the leaves are showing their colors. Join the excitement and get out there!

Skunk cabbage growing where it grows best!