Party Like It’s 2008

Forests across southeastern Massachusetts are beginning to experience a rare event: the emergence of periodical cicadas. Cicadas themselves aren’t uncommon insects. It’s their lifestyle that is unusual. These bugs spend years underground as larvae, slowly feeding on the roots of plants. When they mature, they burrow to the surface and climb whatever is nearby in…

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Robins In The Hood

Friend of the Wareham Land Trust Marion Gold, shares his story of remarkable and rapid growth from hatchling to fledgling. This spring brought an unexpected and heartwarming surprise to our doorstep – the discovery of a robin’s nest nestled in a small evergreen tree just outside our office door, For three singular weeks in May,…

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My Osprey Friends

As I took my morning walk through Great Neck Reserve in late March, I noticed that winter was releasing its icy grip on the land. The frozen slippery ground had become soft and inviting and the first signs of buds were unfurling delicate green leaves. Cheery calls of chickadees could be heard throughout the quiet…

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The Sundew – A Carnivorous Plant In New England

sundew plant

Most plants get energy from the sun and nutrition from the soil, but nature always has exceptions. A handful of plants have evolved the ability to digest animal protein: the carnivorous plants. While the notion may conjure images of remote tropical jungles, they can be found worldwide, even as far north as the tundra. The…

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The River Walk gets Town Meeting Approval

The 20 acres of this property will connect to adjacent parcels adding up to almost 50 acres of conservation land

Voters at Spring Town Meeting approved the use of just under $1.5 million of Community Preservation Fund money to purchase nearly 20 acres of land, improve Swifts Beach Road and assess the exterior of the Hammond School. The Community Preservation fund is a pool of money which is collected through a surtax on property values…

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Community weighs in on future of North Water Street seawall and beach

sea water right up to the cement sea wall

Mar 18, 2025 By Ethan Hunt “We’re not proposing wholesale change, but what do we want the future to look like?” Woods Hole Project Manager Adam Finkle asked stakeholders at a hearing on the North Water Street seawall and beach on March 13. Finkle and representatives from the Land Trust, which owns the property, gave…

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Naming the Moon

Naming the Moon

The full moon each month has always intrigued us. We have written songs and poems about it, pondered its composition (green cheese), studied its effects on us (moon tides) and planned excursions. And throughout the years, we have named the full moon each month. Yes, each full moon has at least one name. Some make…

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River Walk Acquisition

Riverwalk

A message from the owners I wanted to share some thoughts and history about the land we hope the Wareham Land Trust will one day protect. This parcel—hopefully to be known as River Walk—has been in my family since my grandfather acquired it in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Thanks to the Chapter 61A…

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Greetings From WLT’s New Executive Director

Women Is Laughing

Posted September 30, 2024 I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Wareham Land Trust! With seven years at The 300 Committee Land Trust in Falmouth and extensive prior and current experience working with municipal conservation commissions, I bring a solid foundation in land management and non-profit operations that aligns perfectly…

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The Work of Miriam C. Rice

Bright orange fungi growing on a fallen tree trunk covered in green lichen in a forest setting.

Posted September 30, 2024 Endlessly fascinating, endearing, and delightful, mushrooms are currently enjoying a popular resurgence. They appear on home goods, clothing, accessories — anything you can imagine can display the iconic red and white cap of the fly agaric or the earthy browns and oranges of numerous other species. If you’ve been to your…

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Supper With The Ospreys

Osprey flying with fish in its talons.

  Posted August 29, 2024 This is a true story that happened a few years ago. We have a cottage in Onset that has been in the family for four generations now and back in the late 70s my father decided to build an osprey nesting platform in our front yard. After a couple years…

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A Stroll Down Marks Cove Vista’s (Wheelchair-Accessible) Nature Trail

Road between forest

Posted July 31, 2024 We are excited to announce the opening of a new nature trail at Marks Cove Vista, the Wareham Land Trust’s latest acquisition. Spanning nearly the entire 200 ft width of the property, this path is distinguished from our other trails by its coating of fine gravel along its entirety, granting easy…

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Great White Sharks Of Cape Cod

Shark in the sea

Posted June 30, 2024    Once a rare sight in Cape Cod, great white sharks have started to return in record numbers each summer to the Cape Cod National Seashore, where they reside from June to October. Drawn by the rebounding populations of several seal species these top predators have been seen hunting in the…

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Diamondback Terrapins Are Nesting!

Turtle at the side of the sea

Posted May 30, 2024             Who’s nesting? Where? When?  Why did the terrapin cross the road? Do they need any help? Let me explain… Diamondback terrapins are one of the unique residents of our area and one of my personal favorites. They are the only turtle species in Massachusetts to live…

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Want to Boost your Mental Health? Listen to Bird Songs

A bird

Posted: April 30, 2024 It was a cold, grey Monday and nothing was going my way.  The refrigerator was making an ominous buzz and my head throbbed from a poor night’s sleep.  My mood mirrored the dreary weather, and I had no desire to do much of anything.  It would’ve been easy to just sink…

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Inspiring Future Naturalists – One Rubber Scat at a Time

Wild animal scat identification educational display.

Posted April 29, 2024 “I did not think I was doing this today,” said one of the nine students that make up the Wareham Middle School’s after school Naturalist Club.   Admittedly the activity students were going through that day was quite an unexpected one. Arrayed on the desks before them was an assortment of…

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Making a Difference as a Citizen Scientist While Simply Enjoying Nature!

Phone app identifying sassafras leaves in nature

Posted: March 28, 2024 With its forests, rivers, coves, and beaches, our town offers a unique diversity of opportunities to enhance our lives by enjoying nature. Whether paddling on the Agawam River or walking through the new trails of the Red Brook Trail Network, the feeling of calm and serenity is often accompanied by curiosity…

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Women’s History Month – Honoring Rachel Carson

A Eagle

Posted February 27, 2024 March is Women’s History Month – a time to commemorate the vital role of women in American history. While there were many influential people in the environmental movement, this March we wanted to acknowledge one woman’s efforts in particular: Rachel Carson. Rachel Carson (1907-1964) is most known for her book Silent…

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Stakeholder Notification/Public Notice

Accredited Logo

Posted February 16, 2024 The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Wareham Land Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an…

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Join the Great Backyard Bird Count!

A promotional image for the Great Backyard Bird Count

Posted February 14, 2024 Do you love birds and want to be part of a unique, simultaneous bird count on a global scale?!  Even just 15 minutes of your time will contribute to our local birds becoming part of the global census!  Every feather counts!  Your observations will be used by scientists around the world…

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Explore New England: Coastal Treasure – Wareham, MA

A bird

Posted: February 14, 2024 Our town of Wareham was recently showcased on an episode of “Explore New England,” airing on New England Sports Network (NESN).  The television show showcased Wareham’s hidden natural gems along its lengthy coast and within its inland open spaces.  The episode featured fishing for striped bass in Buzzards Bay, mountain biking through…

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Partridgeberry – 1 berry from 2 flowers

Berry

Posted January 30, 2024 Generally speaking, in the plant world, one flower will produce one fruit. Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) is one of the two exceptions. Our native partridgeberry, along with only one other species of plant native to Japan, are sometimes referred to as “twinberries” because each fruit is the product of two adjacent flowers.…

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The Ecology of Color

The image shows a close-up of numerous acorns scattered together.

Posted: December 28, 2023 Have you ever thought about where colors come from? When you look at a selection of nail polish in a salon, peruse a rack of paint chips at a hardware store, or see a set of art supplies, do you ever wonder how we found all of those colors in the…

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Trailblazing Adventures with the Wareham Land Trust

Person explaining map at Lyman Reserve with trails and information.

Posted December 27, 2023 Early in November, a group of enthusiastic nature lovers gathered at the Trustees’ Lyman Reserve in Plymouth. As one of the first public opportunities, we set out to explore the newly created Red Brook Trail Network. The day started off rainy and grey, but as if on cue, the sun came…

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WLT’s First Parade: Honoring Our Veterans

A group of people holding a banner for Wareham Land Trust.

Posted: November 27, 2023 The Wareham Land Trust took part in a parade for the first time on Saturday, November 11 when the town brought back the Veterans Day parade after a 6 year hiatus. A small but enthusiastic group of 11 members marched, proudly carrying the WLT banner and sporting WLT t-shirts and hats.…

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Wareham’s Rare Species Need Your Help!

A turtle

Posted November 27, 2023 When asked to think of an endangered species, what comes to mind? A snow leopard? A giant panda? A black rhinoceros? While you would be right, you’d also be missing the fact that there are 432 rare plants and animals in Massachusetts. Many of these can be found in Wareham, and…

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Fisher Facts & Fables

A young marten standing on a tree trunk, looking curiously.

Posted October 26, 2023 First of all, we’re talking about fishers, not fisher cats. As one of the largest members of the weasel family, this animal is not a cat and it doesn’t generally catch fish. While rumored to have a blood-curdling scream while hunting, fishers are typically silent when stalking their prey, and the…

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7 Reasons Not to Hate Poison Ivy

Red poison ivy leaves in the grass.

Posted September 26, 2023 Given the horribly itchy rash that poison ivy can cause, it’s no wonder that this plant is loathed by many. I, too, have experienced the severe discomfort an encounter with poison ivy can bring, but I certainly don’t hate it. It would be more accurate to say that I respect poison…

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Greetings from WLT’s New TerraCorps Service Member

A laughing women

Posted September 26, 2023 It has been a great pleasure meeting some of you but in case we haven’t had the chance to be introduced I’d like to say hi! I’m Julia, the Wareham Land Trust’s TerraCorps service member for the 2023-24 term. I’m a Swansea native but I have been made a quick fan…

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September Blooms – White Turtlehead

White Turtlehead

Posted: August 29, 2023 Native to all of New England and commonly found along the edges of ponds, streams and other wetland margins, white turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is one of my favorite wildflowers. White flowers one to two inches long grow in spikes at the apex of the plant, and bloom in late summer and…

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August Wild Edible – Staghorn Sumac

Red sumac seed head.

Posted: July 27, 2023 The name “sumac” often evokes thoughts of poison sumac and general itchiness. But poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is actually more closely related to poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) than staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) despite the shared common name. Staghorn sumac can be differentiated from poison sumac through a variety of characteristics. Both…

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Monarchs Down South – WAY South!

Butterfly

Posted: June 27, 2023 My wife Deena and I – both longtime WLT members – in mid-February were able to visit a Mexican Nature Reserve set up to protect the mountain pine stands which monarch butterflies use as winter breeding grounds. There are four main government reserves, plus a number of smaller private ones. We…

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Osprey Advocates “Pole-aborate” on New Nesting Platform

A eagle is sitting on the branch of tree

Posted May 25, 2023 In February, I was asked to respond to an email from Alan Schwartz, a summer resident of Lydia’s Island Road, who had emailed the Wareham Land Trust (WLT) about an osprey nesting platform that had blown down in a storm. Alan said the pole and platform were put up by Eversource…

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Eelgrass Matters!

Underwater view of seagrass growing in shallow water.

Posted May 25, 2023 Ah yes, eelgrass… those long, green, and ribbon-like leaves, which most find annoying as they venture out in the waters of the Wareham seashores. Yet this plant is vital to the health and wellbeing of those same bodies of water. The monitoring of eelgrass is an indicator of water quality, and…

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Join the Wareham Land Trust as our 2023-2024 TerraCorps Service Member!

Terra Corps Logo

Posted May 23, 2023 TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) Position Available with the Wareham Land Trust TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps affiliated environmental nonprofit, has selected the Wareham Land Trust to be a Service Site for the 2023-24 TerraCorps program year. This partnership will allow the Wareham Land Trust to host one Land Stewardship Coordinator in a full-time 11-month service…

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All About Galls

Close-up of plant galls on a branch, brown and round in shape.

Posted April 28, 2023 Galls are some of the most fantastic animal-created structures in nature. That’s just my opinion. They may look abnormal, unnerving, or like they don’t belong. But, understanding more about galls opens up an entire dynamic at play. Plants don’t produce these structures on their own. Instead, galls are formed when an…

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Thoughts on Mass Land Conservation Conference

Bird's nest with blue eggs in a bush, surrounded by leaves.

Posted April 28, 2023 In March, I had the opportunity to go to the Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference hosted by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) with a few other members of the WLT. This was my first time going to any environmental-themed event not hosted by the WLT, so I had no idea what…

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Closing Out the Winter Wonder Program Series on a Sweet Note

A person tending to a wood-fired stove near a stone wall.

Posted March 30, 2023 We are so grateful to Jackson Gillman for inviting our community members to his home in Onset to see various aspects of maple sugaring firsthand, from tapping to boiling. Jackson shared his personal experience and process and described how his backyard maple sugaring operation has grown from 4 to 40 taps…

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“I like woods!”

A picture of forest

Posted March 30, 2023 “I like woods!” That is why Mr. Richard Sawyer purchased a piece of land in East Wareham 40 years ago, as he was interested in conservation. He and his family enjoyed the private property for years. Together they took hikes, had picnics and explored nature. After his passing, his son Tim…

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Trails, Trails & More News Regarding New Trails

A narrow dirt path through a wooded area with greenery.

Posted March 1, 2023 If you are one of the WLT’s trail volunteers, you have likely been working alongside WLT’s TerraCorps Service Member Emily Tramontano since last September. Emily’s service projects have primarily focused on keeping the WLT and Town trails open for all to enjoy; however, Emily’s most exciting project is still a work…

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Learning to Love a Winter Garden

A view of bare trees against a cloudy and blue sky.

Posted March 1, 2023 I grew up in Southern California where almost everything is in bloom almost all of the time, which has its pros and cons, I am the first to admit. Subsequently, I lived for a long time in Denver, Colorado, where almost everything freezes almost all of the time, which has no…

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Little Brown Bats and Bat Boxes

Wareham Land Trust Logo

Posted February 1, 2023 Comparatively to the summer months, winter seems to have stilled almost all signs of life. We may see it as desolate and barren, but it’s these tired, quiet attributes of nature that keep it healthy. Hopefully, as we visit the woods in these winter months, our surroundings remain quiet, otherwise, there…

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Winter Won’t Slow Us Down

A man holding a crab in hand

Posted December 28, 2022 The still and quiet nature of the approaching winter has done nothing to slow down the Wareham Land Trust’s activities. Although there seems to be fewer people on the trails nowadays, we can guarantee when you get back to them, they’ll be clean and accessible thanks to the dedicated volunteers that…

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Old Man’s Beard

Tree

Posted December 28, 2022 If you look up into the branches of the oak trees around us, you may notice some branches coated in a greenish fuzz. This fluffy stuff is a lichen. Lichens come in various shapes and colors, but the one commonly seen in our area, is Usnea, or Old Man’s Beard. If…

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Winter Wonderland

Animal paw prints visible in the snow.

Posted November 23, 2022   When it’s 75°F and sunny and you tell people you are going for a hike, they won’t think much of it. In fact, many trailhead parking lots will be busy with the comings and goings of people looking to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. Through the first Spring blooms,…

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Wareham Land Trust Merchandise

Wareham Tee shirt a cap and a glass

Posted October 28, 2022 Interested in getting better outfitted for safety during hunting season? Trying to get a jump on holiday shopping? The Wareham Land Trust’s got you covered! We currently have two styles of blaze orange hat, as well as an array of other WLT merchandise: Long Sleeve T-shirt – $25 Short Sleeve T-shirt…

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Dog Walking 101

Women and a dog walking in the forest

Posted October 25, 2022 We love our canine friends, and we love the outdoors. So, it’s no surprise that dog walking is one of the most popular activities on Wareham Land Trust properties and trails. But, at the same time, it’s important to make sure your dog, as well as other people and other canines…

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Waste Oil Can Have Devastating Effects on your Community

Shallow water with grasses and a calm, clear sky above.

Posted October 25, 2022 “Uh oh!” Your stomach sinks as the check engine light on your dashboard lights up with that dreaded amber glow. This feeling quickly fades as you realize that it’s just time to get another oil change. If you choose to change your own oil, it’s important for you to understand how…

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Greetings From New TerraCorps Service Member

Terra Corps Logo

Posted September 29, 2022 Hello all! My name is Emily, and I am the new 2022-23 TerraCorps member serving under the Wareham Land Trust! Originally from the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania, I relocated to Wareham to pursue the opportunity to learn from the incredibly knowledgeable WLT Boards and the all-star Executive Director, Elise Leduc-Fleming.…

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Blaze Days

Four people and a dog in orange safety gear outdoors.

Posted September 22, 2022 Fall is the time for pumpkins, apple cider, crunchy leaves, and blaze orange! Wareham Land Trust has designated October 1st through December 31st (i.e., deer hunting season) as “BLAZE DAYS” – a time to wear blaze orange clothing and gear while out in the woods. Although hunters are required to wear…

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The Osprey

Pair of eagle is sitting in the nest

Posted August 25, 2022 Do you see him through the raindrops standing on the pole He is ever conscious of his surroundings and his important role   Content to make a living builder, fisher, life-long mate Season after season coming back to wetlands, marshes, ponds and lakes   She is ever stalwart, sitting on the…

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Learn eBird – Help Protect our Local Birds

A chickadee bird perched on a branch with outstretched wings.

Posted August 25, 2022 Have you been thinking about getting into birding but don’t know where to start? Would you like to learn how to better identify our local bird species? Are you already an experienced birder and wondering how your bird list data can contribute to the greater scientific community? Do you just think…

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Awesome Oystercatchers

Oystercatcher bird on the beach

Posted July 26, 2022 It’s hard to miss an oystercatcher at the ocean’s edge at low tide. They are chunky birds with a brown back and wings, white underparts, black head and breast, a yellow eye ring, and a bright orange-red bill. Gorgeous! That big, bright bill gives them access to their favorite foods at…

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Are You Using Too Much Fertilizer?

Green grass field with a building in the background

It may be doing more harm than you think. Posted July 23, 2022 Part of being a homeowner is the joy that comes from beautifying one’s home. That may include sprucing up the yard to be our perfect little patch of green space and perhaps the envy of our neighbors. Fertilizer can give your lawn…

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WLT Volunteer Opportunities

A group of boys and a team member of WLT is standing in the forest

Posted June 29, 2022 As a small non-profit with only a single full time staff member, much of what we are able to accomplish is thanks to volunteers like you! There are currently a variety of ways to get more involved with the Wareham Land Trust and help make a difference in local conservation efforts,…

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Summer Bucket List

A close-up of a bucket list notebook with handwritten goals.

Posted June 23, 2022 Creating a bucket list is a great way to brainstorm long and short term goals that you would like to accomplish in a certain amount of time. Currently, I have a personal bucket list of goals I want to achieve within my lifetime, a couples bucket list that my fiancé and…

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Bandit Raccoon

A raccoon with a flower necklace eating in the grass.

Posted: June 17, 2022 There’s a reason why Raccoons wear a mask. It’s because they are bandits!! I say this with much love for all animals including Bandit Raccoons. Raccoon, Procyon lotor, it’s scientific name, lotor, meaning “a washer” because of the action of “washing” it’s food. It actually uses water, if it’s available, to…

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Cranberry Gem

Mural of farm workers harvesting crops, with machinery in background.

Posted May 25, 2022 As we all know, Wareham is a town rich in natural beauty. But not all those riches are in the great outdoors! We are blessed with an artistic gem right in downtown Wareham, at the Main Street Post Office. Painted on the wall to the right as you enter is a…

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Join the Wareham Land Trust as our 2022-2023 TerraCorps Service Member!

Terra Corps Logo

Posted May 23, 2022 TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) Position Available with the Wareham Land Trust TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps affiliated environmental nonprofit, has selected the Wareham Land Trust to be a Service Site for the 2022-23 TerraCorps program year. This partnership will allow the Wareham Land Trust to host one Land Stewardship Coordinator in a full-time 11-month service…

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A Naturalist in Your Pocket!

Naturalist Logo

Posted May 23, 2022 Ever wonder what bird species are the source of the beautiful nature songs in your backyard?  Have you admired the diversity of trees and flowers during a hike on one of the many wooded trails around our town wishing you could identify and learn more about the nature around you?  If…

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Lets Get Wild for Wareham!

People cleaning the lake

Posted April 28, 2022 Are you Wild For Wareham? Then join us on May 7th for a day jam-packed with free outdoor activities that highlight Wareham’s wild side!  The Wareham Land Trust, Mass Audubon, the Wildlands Trust, and Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Onset Bay Center are joining forces to offer a variety of programs that will…

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Welcoming Back the Orioles

A bird is sitting on the branch of the tree.

Posted April 27, 2022 It’s hard to miss the return of the Baltimore Orioles. The distinctive song of the male is loud and clear, whistling and flute-like, and he sports a bold pattern of black and bright orange, easy to see in the tree tops. Baltimore Orioles are members of the blackbird family, named for…

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Join the OspreyWatch Team!

Angry Bird sitting on branches of tree

Posted April 7, 2022 Ospreys, like eagles, were almost wiped out by the use of the pesticide DDT in the 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of many environmental and conservation organizations around the world, they are no longer on the endangered species list. It’s important to study ospreys and track their success year after year…

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10 Ways to Enjoy Nature in Winter

Snow on the tree

Posted February 24, 2022 Cold weather, snowy trails, and depressingly early sunsets can cause people to stop spending time outside. But with a little planning and a slightly different approach, time outdoors in winter can still be enjoyable. Here are 10 ideas to help you enjoy nature in the winter: 1. Suit up. As the…

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Little Harbor Country Club – Golf for Now, Open Space Forever

A ground with side walk

Posted: February 16, 2022 The residents of Wareham will be offered a unique conservation opportunity at the February 22 Special Town Meeting next week (7pm, Wareham High School). The Town is looking for voter approval to purchase the 54-acre Little Harbor Country Club (LHCC) property, with the intent to continue its recreational use as a…

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Wildlife Cameras: Backyard Visitors Caught on Camera

A deer is standing in the forest

Posted February 10, 2022 It has been about ten years since I saw a deer stride through my neighborhood. I figured that we just got too developed on Rose Point. Then I purchased a wildlife camera. Not only do we still have deer visiting but a variety of critters. One of my favorite visitors is…

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Winter Robins

Bird sitting on the ground

Posted January 12, 2022 As a native New Englander, I always thought that robins migrated to the south in the winter and returned in the spring. After all, my mother, who hated winter, always called me when she saw the first robin in her yard. Spring is coming! So, how to explain the flock of…

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Welcome from WLT’s New Executive Director

A girl is laughing

Posted December 20, 2021 I am incredibly honored to have been selected as Wareham Land Trust’s first Executive Director. I’d like to thank everyone for their warm welcome. I’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I have always been drawn to the outdoors. As a child, you’d most likely find me exploring…

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Storm Trail Updates

A picture of long tree

Posted November 4, 2021 Post storm trail conditions and updates:   – Fearing Hill Conservation Area: All of the Trails at Fearing Hill are currently blocked by fallen trees   – Tweedy and Barnes Conservation Area: The Sippican River Loop is blocked by fallen trees, but the Pond Spur Trail is clear   – Douglas…

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We’re Hiring! Position: Executive Director

Wareham Land Trust Logo

Posted August 17, 2021 Position Opening Announcement Position: Executive Director (Full-Time or Part-Time) Organization Overview The Wareham Land Trust, Inc. (WLT) was founded by a group of residents dedicated to conserving and protecting Wareham’s open space and natural resources. The WLT was established in 2001 as a non-profit 501(c)3 all-volunteer governed organization and is accredited…

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July 2021 Butterfly and Insect Walk

Butterfly lying on ground

Posted July 20, 2021 Guided Butterfly & Insect Walk Join us on Saturday, July 31st  from 10am-noon to learn about the butterflies and other cool critters of Wareham at the newly opened portion of Mass Audubon’s Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary! The event will be led by volunteer naturalist Andrey Griffith and Plymouth County Entomologist Blake…

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July Fearing Hill & Westgate BioBlitz!

Butterfly sitting on grass

Posted July 3, 2021 Join us on July 17th for our Douglas S. Westgate & Fearing Hill BioBlitz! From 9:00am-5:00pm we will work to capture a snapshot of the biodiversity in these two adjoining conservation areas through a collaborative effort to observe and photograph as many organisms on the property as possible. These observations will…

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Cheers to 20 Years Pint Glass Fundraiser

A picture of Wareham Land glass on the table

Posted June 16, 2021 Wareham Land Trust: Cheers to 20 Years! They’re here! To celebrate our 20th anniversary we have created a special edition pint glass! Pint glasses are $10.00 each. Please use this order form to reserve yours today! We currently have 3 dates and times at different locations around Town where we will…

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EXTENDED! Announcing WLT 2021 Photo Contest

Angry Bird sitting on branches of tree

Announcing Wareham Land Trust 2021 Photo Contest Posted May 1, 2021 Updated May 16, 2021 Wareham Land Trust 2021 Photo Contest EXTENDED! Deadline: Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 5pm *The Wareham Land Trust recognizes that during this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19, it is critical to limit your contact with others and…

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Box Turtle Encounters

A turtle is sitting on the side of the road

Posted May 1, 2021 Written by Dale Scott, WLT Board Member EONS OF PLODDING TIME WISE TRUTHS GUARDEDLY KEPT BOX TURTLE REVEALS dgs Keeper of secrets, our colorful Eastern box turtle (Terrapin Carolina Carolina) has origins that stretch back 250 million years to the time of the great reptiles. They are mostly creatures of the…

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UPDATED! Wild For Wareham! April 17-24, 2021

WLT Logos

Updated April 14, 2021 April 17th-April 24th Week-long, outdoor recreation programs for April vacation Are you Wild For Wareham? Join the Wareham Land Trust, Mass Audubon, and Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Onset Bay Center for a full week of outdoor activities that highlight Wareham’s wild side. To celebrate spring, and school vacation (April 17 –24, 2021),…

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Volunteer with the WLT!

WLT members Standing in the forest

The Wareham Land Trust is looking for volunteers!  There are so many different ways to get involved with the WLT, whether it’s working on the trails, helping with educational programming, or contributing to our newsletter. If you would like to get involved please fill out this short form so that we can connect you with…

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Proposed Town Projects (rezoning East Wareham and Tihonet Solar)

Branches of Pine Cone

Posted January 28, 2020 We know there is a lot of talk going on around town about the two major projects being proposed during zoom planning board meetings and wanted to take a moment to highlight these: One conversation surrounds the proposed special Town Meeting article to rezone a very large portion of East Wareham…

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November 2020 Trail Day!

Flyer of Fearing Hill Trail Work Day

Wareham Land Trust is happy to announce an upcoming Trail Work Day! Join us on Saturday, November 7th at the Fearing Hill Conservation Area to improve trails by cutting back overgrown vegetation, removing debris, and repainting trail blazes.  We will meet at 10:00am and work until 11:30am. The parking lot for Fearing Hill is located…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Woodchucks!

Naturalist's Corner Logo

Posted September 9, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Woodchucks (Marmota monax), also known as groundhogs, are a member of the burrowing ground squirrel family. They are found mostly in the eastern U.S. with abundant populations in Massachusetts, except for on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Woodchucks are generalist herbivores, meaning that they feed on what is…

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Property Spotlight – Marks Cove

Property Spotlight

Posted September 4, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Hoping to enjoy the quiet beauty of the forest and marsh along Buzzards Bay? Check out Marks Cove Conservation Area on Nicholas Dr. in Wareham! Owned by the Wareham Land Trust, Wildlands Trust, the Town of Wareham, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition, this property…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Multi-use Trail Etiquette!

Naturalist's Corner Logo

Posted September 2, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson As the summer winds down, hunting season will soon begin. If you choose to bring your dog on a trail, be sure they have the proper attire to stay safe too. Make sure that you and your dog wear blaze orange on the trails, especially during hunting…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Coyotes!

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Posted August 26, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Coyotes (Canis latrans) are canines native to North America, and their populations are well established in Massachusetts, except on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The color of their coats is based on where they live. Coyotes do not hibernate, and they mate each winter (January through March) with…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Dog-day Cicadas!

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Posted August 19, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Dog-day cicadas (Neotibicen canicularis), also known as annual cicadas, are insects with a brown body, approximately 2 inches long, and wings with green venation. Females will lay up to 400 eggs in 40-50 slits that they create in twigs of broad-leafed trees and stems of weeds and…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Peaches!

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Posted August 12, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Peaches (Prunus persica) are edible fruits that were introduced to North America from China and East Asia. Peach trees can grow to be 15 to 25 feet tall, and their branches can grow to be a similar width. In April, the trees bloom with white to deep…

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Property Spotlight – Agawam River Trail

Property Spotlight

Posted August 7, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The Agawam River Trail, located at the end of Knowles Avenue in East Wareham, is a wonderful place to explore! With beautiful views, a riverside loop trail, and access to the Agawam River to launch a kayak or canoe, there’s no telling what you might see. Common…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Piping Plovers!

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Posted August 5, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are small shorebirds native to North America. These birds breed in the northeastern U.S. during the summer, and they migrate to the southeastern coast of the U.S. and Gulf of Mexico in the winter. Piping plovers usually change mates during the next mating…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Time to Revisit Mosquito and Tick Safety!

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Posted July 29, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Ticks are found in a range of habitats including where lawns meet woods, under leaves, around areas where small mammals live, tall brush and grasses, and wooded areas. To avoid contact with ticks, stay in the center of trails and avoid wooded areas with brush, leaf litter,…

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Another TerraCorps Year Ends…

Group of WLT members is standing in the forest

Posted July 23, 2020 Written by Amy Pettigrew We have come to that bittersweet time during the year when we have to say good-bye to our wonderful TerraCorps service members. This year was definitely one for the records, as our town, state, country, and world faced major events of historic proportions. But despite all the…

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Naturalist’s Corner -Humpback Whales!

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Posted July 22, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are large baleen whales, known as mysticetes, that live in all major oceans. The scientific name Megaptera novaeangliae translates to “big winged New Englander.” Humpback whales can be up to 17m (56ft) long, which is equal to 1.5 school buses! Their bodies are…

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Farewell to Wareham – A Letter From Mike

WLT members Standing in the forest

Posted July 21, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin A Farewell to Wareham This Friday is the last day of my TerraCorps service year with the Wareham Land Trust, so I am taking this opportunity to reflect on my experience. Over the past 11-months, I have seen sunrises and sunsets over Buzzards Bay, I have seen…

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Threats to the Ocean and What You Can Do

View of Lake

Posted July 19, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Oceans worldwide are struggling due to human impacts such as plastic pollution, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, whaling, climate change, overfishing, offshore drilling, and underwater noise to name a few. It is our responsibility as the human race to clean up the messes we have made, and it…

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Hummingbirds in Wareham

A picture of Humming bird is sitting on the steel frame

Posted July 16, 2020 Written by Amy Pettigrew Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are not just Massachusetts’ only commonly seen hummingbird, but they are also our smallest breeding bird. They are migratory, coming to our area typically in late spring, breeding (up to 2 broods per season with 1-3 eggs each time) and leaving again come…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Coastal Exploration!

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Posted July 15, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Summer is a great time to enjoy the warm weather, get outside, and relax at the beach. You don’t have to travel far to experience the wonders of ocean and coastal habitats! In Massachusetts, there is a wide variety of organisms that can be found at the…

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DIY Composting

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Posted July 12, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Interested in composting, but not sure how to get started? Check out our new DIY Compost Bin tutorial, created by TerraCorps Service Member Kyla Isakson! Composting is a great way to reduce waste sent to landfills and save money on disposal costs and fertilizer because it can…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Blueberries!

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Posted July 8, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Mid-summer is the perfect time to look for blueberry bushes with fruit. The lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is native to the northeast, and is widespread in Massachusetts. Lowbush blueberry grows in acidic soils, and it produces white flowers that bloom in May. As its name suggests, the…

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Westgate Highlights

A turtle is sitting in the forest

Posted July 6, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Douglas S. Westgate Conservation Area Summertime Wildlife Highlights While stewarding and scouting the trails at Douglas S. Westgate Conservation Area, I came across three wonderful yet different animals: Veery, Gray Hairstreak, and the beloved Eastern Box Turtle. I will be leading a trail work day at Westgate…

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Chasing a Mega-Rarity – Terek Sandpiper

Image captured of shadow

Posted July 3, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin With technological advances and the mass use of citizen science, many modern-day birders are attentive to forums, email listservs, and Facebook groups that inform us of rare birds in our areas (state, county, country, etc.). These alerts are often an inspiration to chase “life birds,” or birds…

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Property Spotlight – Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

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Posted July 3, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful property to explore when looking for wildlife. Animals observed at this wildlife sanctuary include Eastern box turtles, deer, great horned owls, and the great blue heron. Through the combined efforts of The WLT, Mass Audubon, and the Town of Wareham…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Swans!

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Posted July 1, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are large waterfowl that are found in a wide range of aquatic habitats. Mute swans are a nonnative species that was originally imported from Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s to beautify large estates, zoos, and city parks. They are now…

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July 2020 Trail Days

Blurred image of butterfly

Posted June 29, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Trails Tuesdays Volunteer trail work events are a great way to get outdoors, improve access and safety of trails, and learn about the natural world. As many of us are cooped up indoors, we are beginning to see more trail walkers than ever! Wareham Land Trust trails…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Sharks!

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Posted June 24, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Atlantic white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are cartilaginous fish that migrate to the western North Atlantic Ocean during the spring, summer, and fall. These animals are considered opportunistic predators, which means that they eat what is available including gray seals, fish, squid, and other sharks. Gray seals are…

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Wareham Baby Birds

A bird is sitting on the branch of the tree

Posted June 23, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Ah, June. Spring migration has come and gone and the spike of songbird species has dwindled, but this does not mean that the birding has stopped, it has just shifted focus. As opposed to spring when I have many early mornings covering lots of ground for the…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Summer!

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Posted June 17, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson This Saturday, June 20th is the Summer Solstice, marking the astronomical start of summer. This day represents the longest day of the year when the sun is at its most northernmost and highest point in the sky. Summer signifies the emergence of damselflies and dragonflies, and fireflies…

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Summer 2020 Trail Days

WLT team collecting the garbage

Posted June 16, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Do you love walking the trails in Wareham? Do you like working with your hands? Do you want to get more involved with land conservation in your area? Join the Wareham Land Trust on June 23rd, July 7th, and July 21st for our Tuesday Trail Days! Every…

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Identifying Wildlife While Practicing Mindfulness

Seek Camera Tips

Posted June 14, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Safety notes: Be aware of your surroundings! Watch out for poison ivy, check for ticks, do NOT taste anything, avoid disrupting animals and plants, and don’t touch things with which you are unfamiliar. With summer right around the corner, animals are becoming more active and plants are…

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Merlin Bird ID – How To

Bird sitting on Branches

Posted June 12, 2020 If you are looking for a quick and easy way to help identify birds while out on a trail, or want to browse a species list to see the kind of birds that can be found in your area, check out the free Merlin Bird ID app! Our TerraCorps LSC, Mike…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Dolphins!

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Posted June 10, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus) are toothed whales, known as odontocetes, that are native to the North Atlantic Ocean. These dolphins typically live for 25 years and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These animals form large groups, called pods, and they are cooperative feeders,…

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Wareham Butterflies

Butterfly lying on ground

Posted June 9, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin As many of our members and blog-readers know, I love birds. Okay, yes, obsessed is probably a better word. This summer, after attending a webinar “Intro to Butterfly Watching” with butterfly expert, Dave Pool, I have decided to pursue the observing, identifying, and chasing of a new…

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A Weekend of Trails and Fishing

WLT members fishing

Posted June 6, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin This weekend is a big weekend for outdoor recreation: today, June 6th, is National Trails Day promoted through the American Hiking Society and this weekend is Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend through MassWildlife. In efforts to combine these two wonderful events, Wareham Land Trust is promoting trails for…

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Property Spotlight – Bryant Farm

Property Spotlight

Posted June 5, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson In 1855, Ebenezer Bryant purchased a plot of land and a farmhouse. Over the years, Bryant Farm, originally named Riverside Farm, has had cows, chickens, and a vegetable/fruit stand. Since the land was acquired, five generations of the Bryant family lived in the farmhouse. In 2004, the…

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Exciting News! Volunteer Trail Work Days Are Back!

WLT members Standing in the forest

Posted June 3, 2020 Wareham Land Trust Volunteer Trail Work Wareham Land Trust is happy to announce that Volunteer Trail Work Days will return in June! As many people are utilizing outdoor spaces for peace-of-mind during quarantine, we need stewardship volunteers and trail work days now more than ever! Necessary tasks include clearing trials, pulling…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Woodland Strawberries!

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Posted June 3, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are small perennial plants that are part of the Rose family. This species of strawberry is native to most of the United States and all of Canada, and it typically produces white flowers between April and June, followed by small fruits. Virginia strawberries…

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Bird Alert! Chase Mode

Bird sitting on branches

Posted May 30, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin In recent blog posts and videos, I have discussed migration and the wonderful warblers that come with it. Migration also brings another element to birding in May: rarities. Rarities are birds that are unexpected in a certain area due to range or habitat limitations or birds that…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Painted Turtles!

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Posted May 27, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are found throughout Massachusetts, and they live in mostly wetland areas. Their diet consists of a variety of foods including aquatic plants, snails, and small fish. Painted turtles are active March through November, and they can spend up to six hours basking in…

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Birding With Mike – Migration

Bird Sitting on Branch

May Virtual Birding Walk For birders, the month of May means migration. From late April into late May, some of Massachusetts’ most exciting birds arrive from wintering grounds in Central and South America to establish breeding territory or to fuel up for continued migration extending into northern New England and Canada. These birds include species…

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Bird Alert! Ovenbirds

Ovenbird sitting on tree nest

Posted May 22, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin As the end of May approaches, so does the end of the movement of warblers through Massachusetts. With migrants passing through, some decide to stay and establish breeding grounds, like one of the loudest warblers in the forest, the Ovenbird. Named after the oven shaped ground nest…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Apple Trees!

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Posted May 20, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson In late May, apple trees will start to bloom with pink blossoms. Since apple seeds take a long time to grow into a tree, and the variety of apples grown from the seed is uncertain at times, farmers turn to grafting. Grafting is when a branch from…

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Bird Alert! Nashville Warbler

Bird sitting on branches of tree

Posted May 19, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Spring migration is in full swing! One of my favorite bird families, the wood-warblers, are showing up to Massachusetts in big numbers! The wood-warblers, family Parulidae, consists of more than 50 species in the United States and over 30 species in Massachusetts alone. These small, lively birds…

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The 2020 Photo Contest Results Are In!

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Posted May 15, 2020 The results are in! Congratulations to Kathryn Farnham and Bob Scully on winning our 2020 Photo Contest! Keep an eye out for their photos in our 2020 Annual Newsletter. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos!

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Naturalist’s Corner – Lady’s Slippers!

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Posted May 13, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is a perennial, flowering plant in the Orchid family. This species is native to the eastern U.S. and most of Canada. Pink lady’s slippers typically flower from late April until July, and they produce flowers that range in color from whitish-pink…

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Run Out of Things to Watch While Staying at Home?

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Posted May 12, 2020 Compiled by Kyla Isakson The WLT has compiled this list of nature-themed videos to keep you occupied as we all continue to navigate through these unprecedented times of social distancing. Whether you prefer to browse the Wareham Free Library catalog or other free online databases, or use a subscription service like…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Fishing!

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Posted May 6, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson As the weather gets nicer, more people will be looking for a reason to get outside. Why not try fishing? It’s simple, relaxing, and requires minimal equipment. Some common freshwater fish species you might catch include bass and yellow perch. Adult largemouth bass feed on fish and…

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2020 Global Big Day (at home)

Bird sitting in a Hole in Tree

Posted May 5, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin For the past five years, eBird (a citizen science database run by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology where birdwatchers report species observed while birding) has pushed birders from all backgrounds and experience levels to participate in eBird’s Global Big Day. This year, the eBird 2020 Global…

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DIY Window Greenhouse Experiment

Small leaves like plants

Posted March 16, 2020 Updated May 4, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Looking for something to do at home to pass the time? Wareham Land Trust TerraCorps service member Kyla Isakson decided to test out a window greenhouse. Follow along with her progress here and download your own observation sheet to setup your own window…

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2020 Photo Contest Voting Live!

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Posted May 3, 2020 Voting for the 2020 Photo Contest has begun on Facebook! Voting will run from May 3rd – 5pm May 9th. The photo with the most “likes”/reactions by the end of the voting period in each album will win for that category. Winners will be notified May 15th and will receive a…

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Join the Wareham Land Trust and Mass Audubon Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary as our 2020-2021 TerraCorps Service Member!

WLT members Standing in the forest

Posted May 1, 2020 TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) Position Available with the Wareham Land Trust and Mass Audubon Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps affiliated environmental nonprofit, has selected the Wareham Land Trust and Mass Audubon to be a Service Site for the 2020-21 TerraCorps program year. This partnership will allow the Wareham Land Trust and…

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Property Spotlight – Whitlock’s Landing

Property Spotlight

Posted May 1, 2020 Written by Amy Pettigrew Looking for a spot to launch a kayak or canoe? Check out Whitlock’s Landing on Glen Charlie Road in East Wareham for quick and easy access to the Agawam Mill Pond. Despite its compact size, this property provides a convenient entry point into the upper Agawam River,…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Ticks and Mosquitoes!

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Posted April 29, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Deer ticks, a common species in Massachusetts, have a two year lifespan. They lay eggs in the spring, which hatch into larvae in the summer. This larval stage is the first feeding stage of the deer ticks. The larva transforms into the nymph in the fall, which…

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#GivingTuesdayNow – Tuesday May 5, 2020

Flyer of giving tuesday

Posted April 28, 2020 Compiled and written by Amy Pettigrew in collaboration with Kyla Isakson, Melyssa Millett, Mike Perrin, and #GivingTuesdayNow In just one week, people around the world will come together to support their communities as a part of the global #GivingTuesdayNow movement. #GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will…

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BIRD ALERT: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Bird sitting on a branch

As spring migration is heating up, one of the exciting songbirds you may be seeing is the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Gnatcatchers breed in Wareham during the summer and migrate south to Florida and Central America in the winter. As their name suggests, these tiny and energetic birds have grayish-blue backs and wings, white underparts, and a…

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Finding a Balance Between Health, Safety, and the Environment

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Posted April 24, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson During this time of uncertainty, it is easy to put environmentally conscious actions low on the priority list. Plastic bag bans have been lifted temporarily and reusable bags are not allowed in stores; more cleaners and single-use masks and plastic are being used; stores are sold out…

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Bird Photography

Bird sitting on a branch

Posted April 23, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin 3 Tips for Bird Photography Submissions for the Wareham Land Trust 2020 Photo Contest are due May 2nd at 5pm. We encourage anyone with photos of Wareham’s natural landscapes and wildlife to participate. One of the most thrilling yet infamously difficult wildlife subjects to photograph are my…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Earth Day!

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Posted April 22, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Happy Earth Day! In 1962, Rachel Carson published ‘Silent Spring’ to raise awareness about the increasingly negative effects of pesticides, including damage to human health and the natural environment. In the spring of 1970, 50 years ago, the first Earth Day was held. 22 million Americans gathered…

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Announcing Wareham Land Trust 2020 Photo Contest

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Posted April 19, 2020 Updated April 20, 2020   Wareham Land Trust 2020 Photo Contest Deadline: Saturday, May 2, 2020 *The Wareham Land Trust recognizes that during this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19, it is critical to limit your contact with others and practice good hygiene. In order to practice social distancing…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Honey Bees!

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Posted April 10, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Honey bees become more active as the weather warms and more flowers bloom. During the peak of summer, one honey bee hive can consist of 60,000 to 80,000 bees. The hive consists of three types of bees: the queen, the workers, and the drones. The queen bee…

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Reflecting on Our Relationship to Water

Forest land covered in snow

Posted April 13, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson March 24, 2020 at the Walter Newton Trail-Rainbow Falls in Plymouth, NH The recent spread of COVID-19 has changed everyday life for a few weeks now, and it seems that things will continue to change. In an effort to make the most of this constant change, my…

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WLT WordCloud Project Results

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Posted April 10, 2020 Created by Kyla Isakson Thank you to everyone who submitted responses to our WordCloud Project request. It was so uplifting reading all your responses, especially during this time of uncertainty. Much love from the Wareham Land Trust!

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Naturalist’s Corner – Springtime!

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Posted April 8, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson With nicer weather on the horizon, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy nature! Whether you spend time doing yard work at home, take a walk around the neighborhood, visit your favorite trail, or explore a new property, you can find peace and relaxation in…

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Birding With Mike: Early Spring Birding at Marks Cove

Bird sitting on a Branch

Posted April 7, 2020 Content by Mike Perrin Video Edited by Melyssa Millett TerraCorps LSC Mike Perrin took a stroll through the trails at Marks Cove on March 24, 2020 to get in some early migrants birding. Here you can read the details of this birding trip: Marks Cove March Birding Trip. A few days…

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Wareham Land Trust WordCloud Community Project

Backlit red leaves with a sunny sky backdrop

Posted April 6, 2020 Show some love for the WLT and nature! With the recent health concerns, it can be difficult to focus on anything else. Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with The Wareham Land Trust and the local environment. We value your input and hope that you will take the time…

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Perfect Time to Cuddle Up with a Good Book

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Posted April 4, 2020 Compiled by Kyla Isakson Looking for something to do that’s mentally stimulating during this time spent at home? Check out our list of recommended eBooks for children and adults. These books are accessible online through resources at the Wareham Free Library. Borrow a book today and let us know what you…

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Open letter to Wareham Land Trust members and citizens of Wareham

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Posted April 3, 2020 The Wareham Land Trust takes pride in providing safe and healthy options for passive recreation for Wareham residents and visitors alike. It is wonderful to see more people using the trails!  As stewards of the property, we ask for your help to make sure that we preserve these conservation properties for future…

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Property Spotlight – North Water Street Beach

Property Spotlight

Posted April 3, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Warmer weather means migratory birds are returning to their summer and breeding grounds, including osprey! North Water Street Beach is a great place to observe these magnificent birds. There is an osprey nesting platform at the beginning of North Water Street, so be on the lookout to…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Spring Peepers!

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Posted April 1, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson It’s raining frogs outside… APRIL FOOLS! No, it’s not raining frogs, but here is some cool information about spring peepers! Spring peepers are small frogs that are common in and native to eastern North America. They are best known for their “peeps,” or high-pitched calls. As their…

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Blackbirds, phoebes, and kinglets, oh my!

Bird sitting on Branches

Posted March 28, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin Over the past few days, the signs of spring are everywhere, especially if you pay attention to the birds! Diving deeper into phenology, the study of the change of seasons, there are a few early migrants that signify the start of spring and spring migration. Two blackbird…

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A Little Vitamin Sea and Forest Bathing: Practicing Mindfulness

View of Lake in Forest

Posted March 27, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson March 22, 2020 at the Center Hill Preserve in Plymouth, MA Despite the cold and windy weather, I took some time to be mindful of nature and practice social distancing at the Center Hill Preserve in Plymouth, MA, with my mom and sister. We decided to go…

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A Cure for the Quarantine Blues: Paddling into Spring

People standing on Boats in a Lake

Posted March 26, 2020 Written by Melyssa Millett If you are taking the time to read this, it is likely that you find solace in being in nature during difficult or stressful times. Like me, you are especially content when partaking in passive outdoor recreation. Being in nature can be meditative and invigorating simultaneously, and…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Slugs!

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Posted March 25, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Springtime means more animals are becoming active, and that includes slugs! Slugs are classified as invertebrates because they have soft bodies and no bones. They are also classified as gastropods, which translates to ‘stomach foot’. Slugs have a large muscular foot that spans the length of their…

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A Winter with Wareham’s Waterfowl

Duck swimming in a lake

Posted March 24, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin   As I stare across the water, looking directly into chilly gusts of wind, my fingers go numb and tears begin to stream down my face. My rosy-red nose runs, my toes lose feeling, and the sand piles in my hiking boots. Despite these unpleasantries, I cannot…

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3 Ways to Engage with Birds at Home

Bird sitting in a Hole in Tree

Posted March 20, 2020 Written by Mike Perrin During this time of crucial social distancing leading to many hours indoors, it is easy to lose touch with the rejuvenating, refreshing, natural world. Substituting time indoors with time outside in natural areas is an excellent way to escape your home. But what about when you get…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Vernal Equinox!

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Posted March 18, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Tomorrow is the first day of spring! Also known as the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring marks a time for longer and sunnier days. This is a time for new life and awakening as many birds start to return to their summer breeding grounds, many…

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WLT COVID-19 Status Update

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Posted March 13, 2020 COVID-19 WLT STATUS UPDATE Due to the current health concerns in our community regarding COVID-19 and our concern for the public’s health & well-being, the Wareham Land Trust is cancelling our remaining events for the month of March. We will re-evaluate the situation in the coming weeks for programs in April…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Eastern Bluebirds!

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Posted March 11, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a migratory bird that breeds in the northeastern U.S. and Central America. Their wintering grounds stretch south as far as Nicaragua, and they do not winter in the NE U.S. or Canada. Eastern bluebirds eat insects, fruits, and berries. These birds…

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Wareham Land Trust Earth Day Festival 2020

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Posted March 10, 2020 Health Update: The Wareham Land Trust values the health of its members and the community during this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19. At this time, we are looking into the options available for moving forward with the Wareham Earth Day Festival. In the upcoming weeks we will be…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Maple Tapping!

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Posted March 5, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Have you ever wondered how maple syrup is made? Maple syrup starts off as sap harvested from maple trees, typically the sugar maple. Sugar maple is very common in New England and Quebec, Canada. Vermont leads the United States in syrup production, and Quebec produces more maple…

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Property Spotlight – Marks Cove

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Posted March 2, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Looking to experience coastal forest and salt marshes? Check out Marks Cove Conservation Area on Nicholas Dr. in Wareham! Owned by the Wareham Land Trust, Wildlands Trust, the Town of Wareham, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition, this property offers three short loops of trails,…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Leap Year!

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Posted February 26, 2020  Written by Kyla Isakson Leap Day is this Saturday, February 29th. This day occurs because it takes Earth approximately 365.25 days to make one orbit around the sun. To account for the extra time, we add a whole day every four years to our calendar. There are some exceptions to this…

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2/24/20 WLT on WCTV

Backlit red leaves with a sunny sky backdrop

Posted February 25, 2020 Check out this clip of the latest Wareham Community Television‘s Good Morning Wareham Episode, where Terracorps service members Mike Perrin and Melyssa Millett, talk about upcoming Wareham Land Trust events!

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Naturalist’s Corner – Black-capped Chickadee!

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Posted February 22, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The Massachusetts state bird is the Black-capped Chickadee! These birds have black heads and white cheeks, and they are often seen hopping around instead of walking. Chickadees build their nests in hollow trees using moss, fur, and grass. They typically eat bugs and seeds, which they hide…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Animal Tracks!

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Posted February 12, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Have you ever seen imprints in the mud or snow and wondered what made them? Here’s a quick guide to identifying animal tracks. The pattern of tracks can tell you what that animal was doing; a stretched gait could indicate that the animal was running. Deer have…

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2/10/20 Wareham Land Trust on WCTV

Tree in the forest

Posted February 11, 2020 Check out this clip of the latest Wareham Community Television‘s Good Morning Wareham Episode, where WLT President, Kathy Pappalardo, and Terracorps Land Stewardship Coordinator, Mike Perrin, talk about Wareham Land Trust’s Mission, our role in the community, and upcoming events!

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Naturalist’s Corner – Amphibians in Winter!

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Posted February 5, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson When the weather gets colder, some animals hide away and rest for the winter. Before finding a warm place to rest, animals eat large amounts of food to store as fat. They can use this stored fat as an energy reserve to keep themselves warm. Once they…

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Property Spotlight – Great Neck Conservation Area

Property Spotlight

Posted February 1, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Experience a variety of natural landscapes at the Great Neck Conservation Area! On the first loop, owned by Wildlands Trust, enjoy beautiful views of salt marsh, abandoned cranberry bogs, and a pond. Continue on to wander through pitch pine and oak forests and encounter the drumlin, which…

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Canceled – March 7th Bird Walk Rescheduled to March 15th

A crow sitting on mountain

Posted March 7, 2020 The Wareham Land Trust values the health of its members and the community during this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19. At this time, all of our remaining March 2020 events have been canceled. We are still determining how to handle programs beyond March and may look into rescheduling…

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Wareham Birding Series to Begin on February 8th!

Bird Sitting on Branch

Posted January 30, 2020 The Wareham Land Trust values the health of its members and the community during this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19. At this time, all of our remaining March 2020 events have been canceled. We are still determining how to handle programs beyond March and may look into rescheduling…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Winter Tree ID

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Posted January 29, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson When identifying trees, looking at the leaves is typically the first step; however, this is much more difficult in the winter since most trees have lost their leaves. To identify trees in winter, the shape of the tree, bark, and buds, from which new leaves emerge, are…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Animals Prepare For Winter!

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Posted January 23, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Before the harsh conditions of winter set in, animals prepare in a variety of ways. Some animals, like warblers, migrate to places that are warmer and have food more readily available. Whales migrate to warmer areas in winter to breed and give birth, and they return to…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Snow!

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Posted January 15, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson In New England, winter marks the time for plenty of snowstorms. Snow is formed when water freezes in the atmosphere. Each snowflake has a unique shape based on how the ice crystals form, but they are typically six-sided, symmetrical, and range in size from two to 200…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Cardinals!

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Posted January 8, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a songbird that lives in most of the United States. They typically live in evergreen trees and thick bushes, which is where they establish their territory, or the area that they live in year round. Since northern cardinals stay in their…

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Property Spotlight – Agawam River Trail

Property Spotlight

Posted January 3, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson Did you know that beautiful scenic views do not disappear in the winter? Even though the leaves have fallen and many plants have wilted, there is still much to enjoy at the Agawam River Trail on Knowles Avenue in East Wareham! With no foliage to block the…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Eastern Chipmunks!

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Posted January 1, 2020 Written by Kyla Isakson The eastern chipmunk is a type of ground squirrel, which means they build their nests on the ground instead of in trees. Eastern chipmunks typically have dark brown fur with lighter stripes down their backs, but the coloration and pattern on their fur can vary depending on…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Evergreens!

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Posted December 25, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson For some people, the holiday season includes baking, shopping, spending time with family, and putting up a decorative tree. Have you ever wondered where those trees come from or wanted to know more about them? Eastern white pine trees (Pinus strobus) are very tall conifers (up to…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Deer!

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Posted December 18, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson White-tailed deer are one of the most abundant of the five deer species in North America. They have a widespread distribution; they are found in woodland areas in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Deer typically forage at dusk and dawn, and they are strictly herbivores, meaning…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Winter Plants!

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Posted December 11, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Looking for some ornamental plants to spruce up your winter garden or decorate your home for the winter season? Here are some things you should know about those popular glossy green plants with reddish fruits. Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a woody vine that is native to…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Gray Squirrels!

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Posted December 4, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Gray squirrels are among the most common species of squirrel in North America. They are diurnal mammals, meaning they search for food during the day and sleep at night. Gray squirrels live in nests called dreys, which are typically made up of twigs, leaves, grass, and bark.…

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Property Spotlight – Douglas S. Westgate Conservation Area

Property Spotlight

Posted December 1, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Looking for a hike that incorporates riverside habitats, woodland areas, and retired cranberry bogs? Douglas S. Westgate Conservation Area on Papermill Road in West Wareham is a great place to explore! Named after Wareham Conservation Commission member Doug Westgate, the property offers scenic views of natural and…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Native American Heritage Month!

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Posted November 27, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find your own food and use natural resources to make everyday items? For thousands of years, the Wampanoag people in this region did just that. During the winter months, the Wampanoag people lived further inland to avoid…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Snowy Owls!

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Posted November 20, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Snowy owls are birds with mostly white feathers, though they have a black bar pattern. They live in the Arctic regions in North America, Europe, and Asia. Snowy owls are an irruptive migratory species, which means that they migrate when there is a change in resources in…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Wampanoag Language!

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Posted November 13, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson We have incorporated terms used by Wampanoag people into our current language. “Wampanoag” is defined as “People of the Dawn,” which alludes to how living on the eastern coast made them the first people to see the sun rise every morning. Wareham’s native name is “Nepinnae Kekit”,…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Turkeys!

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Posted November 6, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE! Did you hear that? That was the sound of a wild male turkey asserting his dominance and warning other turkeys to stay away from his territory. Wild turkeys are native to North and Central America, and some have been domesticated to be raised on…

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Property Spotlight – Tweedy and Barnes

Property Spotlight

Posted November 2, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Hoping to combine history and nature on your hike? Tweedy and Barnes on Blackmore Pond Road in West Wareham is the place for you! Named after the Tweedy and Barnes Cranberry Company that once stood on the property, the trails follow where railroad tracks once ran. The…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Bats!

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Posted October 31, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Some people dislike bats or think they are scary, but these flying mammals are just misunderstood. Bats are helpful creatures that eat disease-carrying mosquitoes and crop-destroying grasshoppers and beetles. Little brown bats can eat around 150 mosquitoes in just 15 minutes! They also help to pollinate plants…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Hurricanes!

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Posted October 25, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Did you know that the hurricane season lasts for most of the fall season? For the eastern U.S., hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but storms can occur outside of this time period as well. Hurricanes develop in warm, tropical regions. The eye of…

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October 2019 Trail Work Day

WLT members Standing in the forest

Posted October 24, 2019 October Volunteer Trail Work Day at Tweedy and Barnes We had a great turnout of members for our October Volunteer Trail Work Day today at Tweedy and Barnes! The surprisingly nice weather made it a perfect day for trail work, but with the all fall rainstorms we’ve been having this month,…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Fall Foliage!

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Posted October 21, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Ever wonder why leaves change color in the fall? Plants have a green coloration because they contain a pigment called chlorophyll. Leaves have a large amount of chlorophyll to capture light energy that can be converted and used to produce the energy necessary for the plant to…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Apples!

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Posted October 11, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Farmers work very hard to ensure that the trees in the apple orchard have enough space to grow, good drainage from a gentle slope on the land, and a climate that will optimize growth. Apple picking is a great way to appreciate the work put into the…

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Naturalist’s Corner – Cranberries!

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Posted October 7, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson In Wareham, and many surrounding towns in southeastern MA, fall signifies the time for cranberry harvests. First cultivated from a wild variety in the early 1800s, cranberries grow in wet, acidic soils on vines that make up the bogs. The harvest consists of a dry harvest by…

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Property Spotlight – Agawam River Trail

Property Spotlight

Posted October 2, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Beautiful foliage, a riverside trail, and a kayak launch all in one place? Must be the Agawam River Trail on Knowles Avenue in East Wareham! This trail is a wonderful place for bird watching and appreciating the simplicity of the forest, all while catching a glimpse of…

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Property Spotlight – North Water Street Beach

Property Spotlight

Posted September 21, 2019 Written by Kyla Isakson Trying to hold onto the last few days of warmth? Looking for a place to catch a glimpse of an osprey before they migrate for the winter? Want a small place to introduce your kids to the wonders of the ocean? Just searching for somewhere to get…

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Tick and Mosquito Talk – September 18, 2019

Close-up of a tick on a white background

On September 18th, Plymouth County Entomologist Blake Dinius gave a talk at the Wareham Town Hall about ticks and mosquitoes. If you were unable to attend, Wareham Community Television recorded the presentation. It can be viewed here. The Wareham Land Trust would like to thank Blake, the Town of Wareham, the Wareham Board of Health,…

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Wheeler Kayak Series: June 27, 2019 Agawam River

A happy man is boating

Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the Wareham Land Trust as we honor longtime supporter, lifelong educator, and environmental advocate Richard Wheeler with a series of free kayak explorations across Wareham. In the first event of this series, join us for an opportunity to explore the landscape and ecology of the Agawam River. We will be setting off from Whitlock’s Landing (150 Glen…

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3/30/19 March Volunteer Trail Work Day

A team of WLT is working in the forest

Join us on March 30th from 10am-noon at Marks Cove for a volunteer work day. We will be working to clear debris on the trail systems that cover the patchwork of properties there protected by the Wareham Land Trust, Buzzards Bay Coalition, and Wildlands Trust to get ready for the Spring season! We will be…

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Bluebird Birdhouse Building Workshop – 2/16/19

People attending a birdhouse building workshop

Last weekend the Wareham Land Trust hosted a birdhouse building workshop at the Wareham Free Library. Advisory Board Member Tom Kinksky led the workshop which resulted in the completion of over 25 new birdhouses that can now be used as nesting cavities, especially for bluebirds! More about this workshop can be found in the Wareham…

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