Five hardy souls braved the near zero temperatures to explore Mass Audubon's Eagle Lake Sanctuary in Holden on February 1, 2004. Ron Wolanin, sanctuary director, shared his vast knowledge of winter flora and fauna while leading participants on a 1.5 mile hike around one loop of the sanctuary's trail system.
On
Saturday, February 14, Robert Bertin led a walk on the rail trail in
Rutland. The event was planned for"Trees on Skiis" but turned
to a hike because snow was limited and icy. Eleven people
including aback-packed baby enjoyed the beautiful day . Robert
along with his wife Christy
Barnes, who is an interpreter with Mass Audubon, shared information
about the trees and how they grew in forest and agricultural lands.
Robert spotted a barred owl perched quietly over the trail, and everyone
had a good look. We crossed the pond ice to a smallbog island
to examine black spruce and other bog plants. WG is fortunate that
Robert Bertin, a professor at Holy Cross College and enthusiastic
outdoorsman, is so generous in sharing his time with the community.
On
Wednesday, February 25, Bancroft School middle school students descended
on the field at Trout Brook Reservation with cries
of "Save the Whales".
More than twenty students turned their youthful energy on a gorgeous
spring-like day to moving tree limbs
into piles and
cutting brush to keep the field open as a meadow wildlife habitat.
Robert Bertin had prepared for the crew by cutting
several pines which
are growing up in the field. The Bancroft students and their
parent and teacher leaders completed their task with
energy and enthusiasm
to spare. Bancroft students have committed three days of
trail work for their community service year after year.