Tag Archives: news2

Wetlands at Attleboro Land Trust property showing mossy rocks and log in shallow water

Attleboro Land Trust Supports 50-Foot Wetland Protection Zone Ordinance

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Recently, the Board of Directors of the Attleboro Land Trust voted unanimously to endorse the revised city ordinance on wetlands, extending the “no disturb zone” from 25 feet to 50 feet. The Board considers this a crucial step in reaching a sustainable strategy for balancing development with the protection of natural resources in Attleboro, where rapid development has adversely affected the wetlands that are critical to the city’s natural environment.

Current studies indicate that a 25-foot buffer is too narrow to effectively remove sediment and pollutants or provide adequate wildlife habitat, particularly on steep slopes, in areas with silty/clay soils or a lack of vegetation, or where runoff is highly polluted. Increasing the buffer to 50 feet, as proposed in this ordinance, will most certainly enhance water quality and wildlife habitats in Attleboro’s wetlands.

Letter from ALT to City Council in Support of Change to Wetlands Ordinance

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.

Larson Woodland – Where Nature and History Intersect

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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

Local business support makes a difference at the Charron Preserve

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The Attleboro Land Trust is grateful for services donated by WB Construction & Development and Ryan Asphalt in the construction of a gravel parking lot and stormwater management system at the Charron Farm Preserve.


WB Construction and Development constructed the gravel parking area and an infiltration basin to manage stormwater runoff.

 

Ryan Asphalt paved the twin driveways leading into and out of the parking area.

Photos by T.A. Charron

The Photographic Legacy of Martha Nickerson

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Martha L. Nickerson was not only the donor of the 48 acres of land that is now the Nickerson Walking Woods Preserve.  Her life was filled with accomplishments.  She held a doctorate in education and served as a school librarian and teacher, not only in Attleboro, but at U.S. military installations around the globe.  On her travels she excelled at photography, capturing what she saw in color slides.  Those images are now in the care of artist Kalliope Amorphous, who first began posting them online in 2014 under the title “A Life in Kodachrome.”  She recently felt a renewed desire to share her appreciation for these amazing photographs.  The expanded online collection, now renamed “Midcentury Archive,” can be viewed at these locations:

https://midcenturyarchive.com/

https://www.instagram.com/midcentury_archive/

https://www.facebook.com/MidcenturyArchive

https://www.pinterest.com/midcenturyarchive/

 

An earlier version of the website can still be found here:

https://marthanickerson.wordpress.com/

 

This post first published 7/23/19

 

Trail Dedicated to Former ALT President Larry St. Pierre

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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

Make Arbor Day Last All Year Long!

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Please note there will be a 1 hour delay in the start of this event. 

The Attleboro Land Trust is excited to once again distribute free trees in honor of Arbor Day. Our goal is to empower individuals to contribute to a healthier environment for generations to come.

The trees will be distributed, while supplies last, at the Attleboro Land Trust table at the Spring Fling, which is being held at Balfour Riverwalk Park in downtown Attleboro on Saturday, April 20.  Originally scheduled to run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, it will now start at 12:00 noon and end at 3:00 pm.

Both trees selected this year are native species that contribute significantly to our local wildlife habitat. When these trees flower in the spring, they attract pollinating insects, birds, and even bats.  By planting one of these beautiful trees in your yard, you will be supporting the survival of its pollinators, many of which are facing the peril of habitat loss.

Downy Serviceberry (photo credit: Arbor Day Foundation)

The Downy Serviceberry is a fine naturalizing species that is very adaptive to our local soils–on the edges of woodlands, the moist low areas, and the rocky slopes that are found in our area. The tree bears flowers in white drooping clusters at the beginning of spring in late April. Late summer finds small maroon fruit that birds are particularly fond of.  The tree’s fall color is pleasing though it does not last a long time. Arbor Day.org Downy Serviceberry Care Instructions

White/Bur Oak (photo credit: Arbor Day Foundation)

The White Oak/Bur Oak is a stalwart in woodlands as it supports many forms of life, from the soil to the top of the tree, including over 520 different pollinators.  Beginning in May, the flowers attract both nocturnal and diurnal insects, bats, butterflies, and birds, all of which help to produce acorns that are key to the survival of a number of birds and mammals.  Arbor Day.org White/Bur Oak Care Instructions

A huge thank you to the Arbor Day Foundation for providing affordable trees for our Arbor Day handout!

See their bare root planting instructions here:  https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm