Holliston Conservation Associates
Steward Reports
Stewards are
asked to submit a report on a semi-annual basis. Reports include trail
conditions, wildlife and fauna found, and illegal dumping. These reports help
the Conservation Associates and Commission assess the health or our town's
conservation areas and help them to plan and implement any actions needed to
maintain the health of these areas.
Properties
and Stewards
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Megan O'Brien |
Chris Bajdek |
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Virginia Evans, Judy
Placek |
Lisa Fallon |
Greg Koski |
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Jane Pierce |
Donna and Steve Cohen |
Gordon Maxfield |
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Todd Gernes |
Marc Connelly |
AVAILABLE |
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Nancy Farrell |
Rick Shansky |
AVAILABLE |
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Kasey Ormiston |
Marty Nickerson, Gail
Donaldson |
Greg Lamb |
Brentwood
- Todd S. Gernes, Land Steward
- Brentwood Conservation Area (about 400 acres)
- Off
February 15, 2003, 8:00AM 8:45AM. A cold, clear day, about six
degrees Fahrenheit with no wind.
Conservation activities undertaken: tracking, observation, reflection, and
photography.
General property condition: I set off on snowshoes this morning with my dog
and shadow in tow, in search of light, line, and track, ephemeral reminders of
Natures grace in the bleak midwinter. Snow on snow, crisp air, and
beard-prickling cold accentuate the dazzling interplay of light and shadow.
Conditions of wetlands: Frozen pools are warmed by the sun from above and
by the decaying muck from below. Theres the sound of swamp ice cracking, like
one hand clapping, like a tree falling in the middle of the forest. Did I hear
it, or was it just my imagination?
Unusual or special trees/plant life: Decaying wood has much to offer in the way of
aesthetics. Swamp trees arent often lightening-blasted, like cataclysmic stumps
in a Thomas Cole landscape, but the rotted trunks of
An adolescent tree, taken too soon by
heavy snow, flexes in a final, sinuous arc.
New life is persistent, thriving on
sunshine and hope.
Species of wildlife noted: Neighbors, canine and human, venture around and
across the pond on morning and afternoon walks. Deer crosscut human
trajectories in the early morning and evening. Boot, paw, and hoof all leave
their distinctive stitches in a backyard bridal quilt, white on white and
trimmed in evergreen.
The intersecting tracks of winter
housekeeping are everywhere in sight. Seed gathering, nut preparation, and idle
chatterit must have been a busy morning! Late winter birds, squirrels, and
white-tailed deer: they were here, I tell you, but not now. They watch from a
safe distance.
Other unusual sightings: The angular movements of humans connect points A,
B, & C; dogs move in loops and sign-wave patterns; deer zigzag the terrain
in search of punky ice (to paw for drinking water), chilled greens, and tender
twigs; late winter birds tap circles in the snow and peck for windblown grass
seed. Stately evergreens, Pine and Hemlock, leave their tracks as well, as liquefying
snow slides off their sun-stroked branches and falls to earth, leaving circular
footprints along the trail.
Notes for the Conservation Commission: There is more traffic here, lately, canine and
human. As the town grows, so does the urgency to preserve open spaces.
Conservation through education and organization, as we all well know, are
watchwords for the future.
Peace.
Brentwood 2
Cedar Swamp
Poitras
Poitras 2
Name of steward(s): Kasey Ormiston
Name of parcel: Poitras Memorial
Location/size: 44 acres
Date of stewardship review: 3/21/03
Conservation activities undertaken:
Hiking, collecting trash
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
Fairly good, not much trash.
Condition of trails: Good. Nice and clear.
It was a little tough walking downhill where ice remains.
Condition of wetlands (if any): Lots of
moisture up there.
Unusual or special trees/plant life: Lots
of moss and new plants under the melting snow.
Species of wildlife noticed: birds
Other unusual sightings:
Notes for the Conservation Commission: I
have rediscovered the beauty of the woods through the eyes of a two year old! A
fuzzy piece of moss and a walking stick are sources of wonder! Very refreshing
- spring is here!
Next planned parcel walk-through: Soon!
Rees
Name of Steward: Lisa Fallon with help from Marcia Balint
(Environmental Planner visiting from
Location/size: One acre site behind schools on
Date of stewardship review: March 23, 2002
Conservation activities undertaken: Walked all trails. Picked up trash. Filled a
kitchen sized garbage bag with trash. Most of the litter was located in the T-P
area of Rees (just below the hill behind the playground). There was a lot of
discarded clothing. Some hung from trees and some scattered about the area. A
disguarded family sized tent was left in disrepair in this area. I am not sure
what permission I need to get before removing this tent from the area. It
almost looks like school property? Let me know if I can dispose of this in the
Miller dumpster.
Condition of Trails: Some of the trails were blocked by fallen trees. I
removed those that were not touching the ground (so as not to disturb any
salamander eggs or other insect life)
Condition of Wetlands: Due to drought, vernal pools are much lower than
usual. Pond seemed to be at its "summer" level. Cranberry Bog was
also lower than usual.
Unusual or special trees/plant life: Princess pine throughout. Varigated trillium-like
plant (will try and identify) Unusual seed pod, possibly indicative of invasive
pond dwelling plant??? (Marcia will try and get more information to me at a
later date)
Species of wildlife noticed: 20-30 ducks on pond (mating pairs), geese, robins,
swallows, crows. We heard some peepers in the main pond.
Other unusual sightings: A few mounds of scattered, uneaten cranberries and
cattails. One located near the stairway to the pond.
Notes for Conservation Commission: Please let me know if I can remove the tent from
the property and dispose of it in the Miller dumpster. Do you have any photos
or resources that I could have to identify threatened, endangered or species of
special concern flaura and fauna so that I may more easily identify those that
I observe?
Next Planned Walkthrough: Summer, 2002
Rocky Woods
Name of steward(s): Donna & Steve Cohen
Name of parcel: Rocky Woods
Location/size:
Date of stewardship review: April 21, 2007
Conservation activities undertaken: A lovely walk on a gorgeous 75 degree sunny April afternoon.
General property condition (Trash, etc.): Very clean!
Condition of trails: Trails here and in the general area are very eroded from water, feet, tires, horse shoes.
Condition of wetlands (if any):
Unusual or special trees/plant life:
Species of wildlife noticed: 2 white tailed deer
Other unusual sightings:
Notes for the Conservation Commission: There is a black jeep that is stuck on the orange trail – probably on town forest land. It drove though some trails and badly damaged them. Now it is stuck, with signs that someone tried to get it out. The back window is broken – from trying to get it out? from vandalism? wish we had brought a camera.
Next planned parcel walk-through:
Weston Pond
Fiske/Bullard
Name of steward(s): Richard Shansky, with
help from Hanna Shansky
Name of parcel: Fiske/Bullard Property
Location/size: Off of
Date of stewardship review: December 29,
2001
Conservation activities undertaken:
Picking up trash, moving logs/fallen trees that were blocking the trail,
clearing away trail (from branches and twigs),fixing 'bent out of shape'
branches that were still on the trees.
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
There were not many small articles of trash (one plastic bag full), but there
are some large pieces here and there, including a tire and some broken
furniture. Some lumber had been brought in to make a tree house.
Condition of trails: Some trees had
fallen. We cleared small and large branches from the trails.
Condition of wetlands (if any): A few
puddles and rivulets were mostly frozen.
Unusual or special trees/plant life: There
are some fairly large hemlocks. We noticed some mushrooms growing on some
trees.
Species of wildlife noticed: Some deer and
dog droppings but not any direct sightings of animals.
Other unusual sightings: We saw a
trash/garbage pit with large articles of litter. A makeshift boat slip made up
of logs had been set up with a small row boat beside it (probably owned by a
property owner living on
Notes for the Conservation Commission:
Investigate buried package under fencing. Have tire and old furniture removed.
Next planned parcel walk-through:
Early/mid Spring 2002
Near Golf Course
Wenakeening
Name of steward(s): Greg Koski and Linda
Powers (wife)
Name of parcel: Wenakeening Woods
Location/size: 85 acres
Date of stewardship review: 9/02;2/03;5/03;7/03
Conservation activities undertaken: cleared brush from paths, collected and
disposed of trash
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
Excellent…only very sporadic litter.
Condition of trails: Mostly clear, but
erosion is evident and increasing from motorized vehicles, particularly 4
wheelers, despite the placement of signs at the entrances to the reservation. A
few dirt bikes (2 wheelers) traverse the woods, but have been respectful of the
trails. The wooden walkways have been displaced in some wet areas and need to
be re-positioned, possibly secured because of the 4 wheelers.
Condition of wetlands (if any):
undisturbed
Unusual or special trees/plant life: The
dramatic proliferation of small white pine new growth is impressive.
Species of wildlife noticed: white tail
deer, skunk, red fox; ducks
Other unusual sightings: none
Notes for the Conservation Commission: See
trail condition noted above.
Next planned parcel walk-through: We walk
all of the trails at least weekly.
Back to Top
Daniels
Name of steward(s): Gordon Maxfield
Name of parcel:
Location/size:
Date of stewardship review: 21 MAR 02
Conservation activities undertaken: Walked
property.
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
Interior is in good shape.
Condition of trails: Good
Condition of wetlands (if any): Poor,
vernal pool is very dry. Some water in south section.
Unusual or special trees/plant life:
Species of wildlife noticed:
Other unusual sightings:
Notes for the Conservation Commission: A
new map is needed to define the "new" boundaries and indicate access
between Daniels and Poitras areas that avoids "No Trespassing" signs.
Next planned parcel walk-through: Frequent
walks.
Joseph Cohen Land
Hamilton
The Quarry - Beatrice Street
Name of steward(s): Megan O'Brien
Name of parcel: The Quarry,
Location/size: Conservation land between
Date of stewardship review: 5/25/03
Conservation activities undertaken: Picked
up Styrofoam cooler, several beer bottles and cans, a yogurt container, a
Styrofoam coffee cup and snack food wrappers
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
Some trash but mostly clear. Saw motorbike tracks on trail.
Condition of trails: Good condition
Condition of wetlands (if any): NA
Unusual or special trees/plant life: Saw
jack-in-the-pulpits and pink lady slippers in bloom
Species of wildlife noticed: A lot of
chipmunks
Other unusual sightings:
Notes for the Conservation Commission: Is
it possible to lay boulders down at the end of
Next planned parcel walk-through: 5/31/03
Fairbanks
Dopping Brook
Name of steward(s): Greg Lamb
Name of parcel: Dopping Brook
Location/size: Between
Date of stewardship review: Latest,
11/3/02
Conservation activities undertaken: Picked
up small amount of trash that was on site. I observed a lot of debris along the
Fenwal Corp driveway and also determined that trash from the BFI facility is not
being blown into the property.
General property condition (Trash, etc.):
Very little human activity. No wear n' tear on vegetation.
Condition of trails: No trails. Open
walkable wooded area. Old wire fence creates a boundary with the RR bed.
Condition of wetlands (if any): Clean,
thriving for late fall.
Unusual or special trees/plant life:
Indian pipe
Species of wildlife noticed: A large round
burrow, freshly disturbed entryway, opossum?
Other unusual sightings: Very clean and undisturbed
for an area so close to companies and residences.
Notes for the Conservation Commission:
Is this area mapped? I have not had luck
in finding its borders. I wonder if the land extends to the Sherborn border. Is
the land directly behind BFI part of it? Is there a path?
How do I get a map? Do I make the first map? What assistance can you offer in
getting this done? There seems to be a lack of definition about this parcel,
any comment?
I chose to seek stewardship of this parcel
because I have an interest in the possible rail trail that will stretch through
this area. I want to combine my interests in nature with the activism of
keeping the area clean as heavier traffic begins to put pressure on it.
Next planned parcel walk-through:
Mid-winter. Approximately every three
months.
This page was last updated 4/21/07.