Join Us for Opening Day 2022 at Wildlands Trust!

Read Time: 1 min

By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter

Spring is in the air! Temperatures are warming, flowers are blooming, and the annual greening of the landscape is underway. At Wildlands, we are celebrating the promise of an exciting season of programming with our “Opening Day” at the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm.

Join us for this free event on Sunday, May 1 (12pm-4pm) to enjoy the beauty of our Plymouth headquarters, learn about Wildlands Trust and some of the exciting projects we have planned, and find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Gather your friends and family, and plan to spend the afternoon with us! You’re welcome to bring a picnic of your own or purchase snacks at the barn, and IndieFerm beer will be available for purchase. In addition to live music and lawn games throughout the event, there will be a guided nature walk/craft activity for children at 12pm, and an Adopt-a-Preserve training program at 1pm, for adults interested in making a monthly commitment to help monitor Wildlands’ preserves. 

(*Pre-registration is only required for the two scheduled events. Visit: https://wildlandstrust.org/events/2022/5/1/opening-day for the link to the Eventbrite registration.)

7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day – Today and Every Day

Read Time: 4 min

By Kyla Isakson, Membership and Digital Media Coordinator

Friday, April 22, 2022, marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. This celebration was established in 1970 to educate the public about environmental conservation and encourage the support of legislation that aims to protect nature, wildlife, and the health of the human population. Now, it is a global event that brings together millions of people to raise awareness, make change, and contribute to environmental conservation and stewardship. 

Here are 7 ways you can celebrate Earth Day – today and every day! 

1. Go Outside 

   One of the easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day is to go outside! Bike, hike, paddle, and explore all that nature has to offer. Take some time to feel the warm sun or cool breeze on your face, smell the fresh spring air, and listen for signs of spring. Taking time outdoors can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health, so take a moment today to go outside! 

   Not sure where to go? Visit our website for trails in your area. 

2. Choose Sustainable 

   There are many ways you can make sustainable choices. Many plastic products have eco-friendly alternatives — like metal straws, reusable cotton shopping bags, and insulated travel coffee cups. You can also reduce energy use and save money by switching to LED lightbulbs, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances. Going green and making eco-conscious decisions doesn’t have to be complicated, and one small change can make a big impact!

   Find ways to save at MassSave.com.  

3. Clean Up 

   The next time you take a walk around your neighborhood, on a local trail, or at the beach, grab a trash bag (and maybe some gloves) to pick up waste left behind. If trash is not picked up in these areas, it can end up in our waterways or be eaten by animals. Respect your local environment, and always dispose of waste properly. Remember to pick up after your pet too! 

4. Volunteer 

   Taking time to volunteer with an environmental organization can be a fun way to get involved and see the results of your contributions to conservation. Organizations rely on the dedication of their supporters, working as a team to achieve their goals for the benefit of the community. A great way to provide continuous support is to join Wildlands’ Adopt-a-Preserve program, where volunteers take a couple of hours each month to walk a preserve and report back on its condition. Volunteer with Wildlands! 

5. Support Local 

   Protecting agricultural land is part of Wildlands' mission to preserve the natural heritage of our region. When you purchase locally grown food, you support our region's family farmers and help keep our agricultural heritage alive. Freshly picked produce is nutritious and delicious, and purchasing locally sourced products reduces your carbon footprint. Supporting local establishments helps small businesses thrive, strengthens the local economy, and builds a sense of community among us. In a time when people often opt for the convenience and uniformity of big stores, it is important to remember to shop locally! 

   As a Wildlands member, you receive discounts at local farms and retailers with your valid membership card. 

6. Encourage others 

   Earth Day is a terrific way to get involved in local land protection. Whatever way you choose to celebrate the day, take a moment to encourage others to join your support of environmental conservation. Invite them to a volunteer event, recommend a sustainable product, or give the gift of Wildlands! As a member, they will receive more information about our organization and what we do to protect the land we love. Gift a membership to someone today! 

7. Give Back 

   Take time to reflect on how you can give back to the environment. Showing your support and donating your time, goods, talent, or money helps to maintain and improve the quality of life for people and wildlife in the community. Donating your time and talents through volunteering and offering special assistance gives organizations the capacity to do more. Donating goods and money can help provide the necessary tools and materials to sponsor youth programs that educate and connect the next generation to nature, or support trail stewardship that ensures the maintenance of valuable properties for years to come. 

   Donate today to help Wildlands continue to protect land and provide education and recreation for the people of Southeastern Massachusetts, now and in the future. 

Sources 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/earth-day/ 

Oh, What Fun It Is to Ride!

By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter

On Sunday, December 5, Wildlands teamed up with the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) for a festive, holiday-themed bike ride in Plymouth. Jingle Bell Ride participants chose either a 10-mile intermediate route through Halfway Pond Preserve or a shorter beginners’ course through Emery Preserve East. The event was well attended, with 20 revelrous riders decked out in their holiday best. The two groups completed their rides in approximately 90 minutes, then returned to Wildlands' headquarters at Davis-Douglas Farm, where they gathered by an outdoor fire and enjoyed post-ride refreshments in front of the Conservation Barn. 

Organized mountain bike rides are new to Wildlands’ events calendar, but with our new Programs & Outreach Coordinator Claire Johnston’s thumb on the pulse of the local biking scene, we can expect to see more to come! This winter, our growing collaboration with NEMBA has led to the installation of hundreds of feet of new bog boards at Wildlands’ preserves, and has attracted enthusiastic new participants to the Wildlands community. NEMBA is known throughout Massachusetts for their exemplary trail stewardship and multi-use trail knowledge. The Wildlands team enjoyed introducing such a responsible group of mountain bikers to our trail system!

Programming is Back!

By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter

Say hello (again) to the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm and our new Programs & Outreach Manager, Claire Johnston 

As we say goodbye to summer on the South Shore, we look forward to an exciting fall filled with programs. Along with the rest of the world, Wildlands’ programming team took a step back from in-person events in 2020 due to COVID-19. But now, with safety precautions in place, we are excited to resume—and expand—our programs!

In late September, the board of directors at Wildlands Trust approved the re-opening of our Conservation Barn for events. There will be a cap on the number of attendees allowed at each event, determined by the nature of the activity. All participants will be required to follow Wildlands’ COVID-19 guidelines and fill out corresponding safety agreements. With these protocols in place, we are optimistic that programming will be able to continue, despite the dropping temperatures looming just around the corner. We can’t wait to welcome members back into our community gathering space! Keep an eye on our website for lots of upcoming classes and events! 

And, with so many activities filling the calendar this fall, Wildlands is also thrilled to welcome our new Programs & Outreach Manager, Claire Johnston. Claire joins Wildlands Trust from Seattle Washington, where she has spent the last 4 years working in the Outdoor Industry. She is passionate about community engagement and loves exploring. She is an avid mountain biker, hiker, climber, skier, and more! If you have any programming questions, concerns, or ideas, she is available at cjohnston@wildlandstrust.org, or (774)343-5124, ext.108, and she’d love to hear from you!