Summer Wren.07 7/23/07 9:07 AM Page 1

SUMMER NEWSLETTER THEWREN

July 2007 Growing up in Sudbury By Benjamin Crane Cmejla moved into an old house there, and the natural world became part of my everyday s a toddler growing up near life. The vast field next to our house and Boston, my parents took me for surrounding woods were places where I long rides on the backs of their cultivated and developed my independ- A ence and adventurousness. Frequently, my bikes through my hometown, Sudbury, Massachusetts. They chose Sudbury brother and I, armed with sticks for self- because of its Revolutionary War history, defense and granola bars for sustenance, abundance of nature trails and the scenic would venture off into the woods with Sudbury River. Soon afterwards, we aims of making (continued on page 7) Ben Cmejla in China in 2006.

Wonderful Walkup fers, but it also boasts a wooded wetland, an open field with wet meadow, and a small pond. A footbridge crosses Community Treasure in Westborough a cattle pass created for the Walkup family’s livestock to travel freely between pastures under the trolley line. or the past quarter century, Conservation, Collaboration, Fand Community have been the watchwords of Sudbury The generosity of area businesses over the years has served Valley Trustees’ Walkup and Robinson Memorial Reservation as a true testament to the importance of this Westborough in Westborough. Overlooking Cedar Swamp, headwaters of oasis protected amidst a sea of commercial development. In the Sudbury River, Lawrence Walkup’s 63-acre bequest is a the early 1980s New England Electric, GTE, Data General, striking memorial to his and Beals and Thomas were instrumental in providing the parents and to the four resources needed to create a reservation that would be open generations of his fami- for public use. In more recent years, businesses such as ly who farmed the land. Carruth Capital and State Street Bank have provided much appreciated assistance in helping SVT maintain the property. Walkup Reservation’s Walkup has fared well over the years, due in part, to the two miles of trails good work of scores of volunteers, beginning in 1984 with a include the remains of Westborough Eagle Scout who constructed 25 bluebird boxes the old Boston & for the property. The most recent Eagle Scout project was the Worcester Street construction of a kiosk on Flanders Road. In addition, Railway. This trolley Westborough’s Boy Scout Troop 110 plays an important role line (abandoned in in the management of Walkup Reservation through SVT’s 1931) forms the central Youth Conservation Stewards program. spine of the trail system that bisects the proper- If you’ve yet to visit this valuable Westborough resource, ty. The Walkup proper- you might want to add Walk at Walkup Reservation to your ty consists primarily of list of locales to visit this summer. (Please visit our web site a hilly upland mix of www.svtweb.org and click on Trail Maps to download maps of Cattle pass bridge at Walkup hardwood and coni- our properties.) Joyce Dwyer Joyce Summer Wren.07 7/23/07 9:07 AM Page 2

Board of Directors

Marylynn Gentry, Wayland, President Stephen Winthrop, Wayland, Vice President Bruce Osterling, Sudbury, Treasurer Permission to Picnic Susan Crane, Sudbury, Clerk SVT staff ometimes on building by volun- Colin Anderson, Sudbury entering con- teers and staff. Robert Anderson, Wayland servation Thank you Hans, Brian Clew, Framingham S land you find pic- thank you Gigi, Richard Dinjian, Shrewsbury nics listed among thank you Lydia! Lucille Hicks, Wayland the prohibited For the past Chris Jenny, Wayland activities. several summers Richard Johnson, Concord Landowners we’ve invited new Eric Menoyo, Sudbury must have their SVT members to David Moore, Framingham reasons for pro- Dan Stimson secures the Nature Nook sign for the ribbon join us for picnics Iryna Priester, Wayland scribing happy cutting at SVT's Family Fair. at Wolbach. If you Lydia Rogers, Concord people carrying are a recent mem- wicker baskets, but ber, or would like STAFF I’ve never under- to stop by to help us welcome new Ron McAdow stood why consid- members, the dates Executive Director erate picnickers would do more are August 16 at Ellen Byrne harm than bird 11:30 a.m. and Business Manager watchers or any- September 6 at Christa Hawryluk Collins body else. I’m 5:30 p.m. Assistant Director of Land Protection pleased to say that SVT is in the The Nature Nook is a popular stop for many young visitors. Bob Ford you and your fami- midst of numerous Director of Land Protection ly are welcome to important conserva- picnic here at Wolbach Farm—the property Sandy Lower tion projects. We expect to be able to tell is open dawn to dusk every day, and there Office Manager you about a couple of them in the next are three tables on the lawn. issue of The Wren. We can’t wait to fill you Laura Mattei in, because you 3600+ member families Director of Stewardship If you bring children to Wolbach, please visit our new Nature Nook. We’ve installed make it all possible. As we leave behind a Rachel Sagan a few simple exhibits about nature in our successful Fiscal Year 2007 and set sail on Director of Membership and Development area, and provided art materials, books, and FY’08, I want you to know how grateful I Michael Sanders places to sit for drawing or reading. As you am for your generous membership renewals Assistant Director of Development approach the nature trail you’ll see the and extra contributions. Dan Stimson Nature Nook sign on the porch at the Assistant Director of Stewardship south end of the house. Chris Wilson The Nook’s ribbon cutting was at the Caretaker Family Fair on May 6. Watching kids and parents enjoy the new space was a gratify- Ron McAdow is Executive Director of The Wren ing reward for months of planning and Sudbury Valley Trustees Sandy Lower & Ron McAdow, Editors Joyce Dwyer & Gordon Morrison, Illustrators Sudbury Valley Trustees is a voluntary association of Rachel Wolff Lander, Designer individuals, families, and businesses committed to protecting wildlife habitat and the ecological integrity of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Sudbury Valley Trustees River watershed for the benefit of present and future generations. SVT 18 Wolbach Road carries out its mission through land acquisition and stewardship, advocacy, Sudbury, MA 01776 and education, working in partnership with the towns, watershed associa- Tel: 978/443-5588 • Fax: 978/443-2333 tions, and other environmental organizations within the greater Concord Basin. Founded E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.svtweb.org in 1953, SVT is supported by a membership that today stands at approximately 3,600 individuals, families, and corporations. The organization currently owns, through gift and purchase, more than 2,100 acres in fifteen communities. In addition, it holds conservation restrictions on more than 900 acres and has been instrumental in preserving thousands of additional acres now protected by public agencies.

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Notes from the field

Dogs on Conservation Land sometimes destroying nests, eggs, and young. Field-nesting SVT staff birds, such as Bobolinks and Meadowlarks are especially vulner- By Laura Mattei, Director of Stewardship able to dogs romping through fields with similar consequences of disturbance, nest damage and possible fatalities. any SVT members and visitors enjoy walking their dogs M on our conservation lands. SVT reservations offer a won- Dogs enjoy going into streams and ponds, but this causes derful opportunity to get outside, get some exercise for you and damage to fragile habitats and increases erosion and siltation. your dog(s), and enjoy nature’s delights. The MetroWest Daily SVT requests that dog owners not allow their dogs to go into News has featured several recent articles that highlight streams and ponds on conservation properties. SVT properties for dog walking (Trail Tails series Visitors to conservation lands want to enjoy a by Allan Jung). SVT has a strong commitment tranquil and safe experience. In order to ensure to providing these opportunities to our an enjoyable, conflict-free experience for our members and other visitors. However, in visitors and their four-legged friends as well, order to protect natural habitat and main- we have revised our policy on dog walking tain positive visitor experience, we have on SVT land. Dog walkers are limited to established dog walking policies. three dogs per person, must have dogs Visitors are allowed to bring dogs to under control, and carry leashes for each all SVT properties. Dogs must be on dog. Dog owners should be able to call leash at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury. their dog in as necessary and should Visitors should follow local leash laws at restrain dogs when encountering other other properties. SVT would like to visitors. encourage appropriate use by all of our For both aesthetics and environmental visitors. In this article, we review some of quality, we ask that dog owners pick up the issues involved with dogs on conserva- after their dogs. With an increase in the tion lands. number of dogs on the properties, dog waste Birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance has become more of a problem. Excessive during migration and breeding. Migrating birds amounts of dog waste can pollute streams and must store energy for their long flights. When dogs ponds when rain washes the excrement into the startle birds, the birds use up valuable energy in flight. local waters. Breeding season for our passerine birds is April through mid-July. For more details on our dog walking policy, please visit our The Ovenbird is a warbler that builds a round, dome-shaped web site at www.svtweb.org. nest on the ground of forest lands. The kiln-type oven shape of the nest is what gave the bird its name. Dogs can disturb nesting We hope that you enjoy walking with your companions on Ovenbirds and other birds that nest on or close to the ground, our conservation lands!

Special Thanks to the following funders and sponsors for their recent generous support of our work

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE’S FIELDS POND FOUNDATION LAWRENCE AND LILLIAN LIVING LANDS PROGRAM In support of trail work at the Desert Natural SOLOMON FUND In support of restoring and maintaining shrub- Area and Memorial Forest Reservation in In support of SVT’s general operating programs land habitat for native birds at our Cedar Hill Sudbury Reservation in Northborough RIVER STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL LANDOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM In support of strategic land protection program THE DEPARTMENT OF In support of restoring and maintaining shrub- to protect priority areas with high conservation CONSERVATION AND RECREATION land habitat for native birds at our Cedar Hill value including Great Meadows, Cedar Swamp, For support of the creation of a Sudbury River Reservation in Northborough and restoring and and Greater Callahan Priority Areas Boater’s Trail maintaining field habitat at Greenways in Wayland and Fay Fields in Sudbury WHOLE FOODS - WAYLAND For their donation of pies, food and beverages at the Family Fair

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TO THE FOLLOWING INDIV

Special thanks to the Benefit State Street Corporation, for Dan Kamen, for his Committee – Iryna Priester, plowing the Walkup and Robinson timely arrival as an office Chair, Pat Bodenstab and Memorial Reservation parking lot volunteer three weeks Karen Krowne, Auction Co- before the Annual Chairs, Andi Jenny, Pam Will Mack, for sharpening our Benefit Griswold, Wendy Gruttadauria, stewardship tools Mara Tufts, Sonja Strong, Donna Appel, Melli Weezie Johnson, and Nancy-Jo Marta Hersek, for coordinating Biemann, Erica Kessler the vernal pool monitoring pro- Canestraro, Phyllis gram Elmore, Grace Fogarty, Nancy Hallen, Trude Vernal pool monitors: Marta Hirsch, and Hannah Hersek, Craig Smith, Pam Lyons, for weekly office Volunteers from Starbucks use a weed wrench at the Helinek, Michele Lemettais, assistance Turenne Wildlife Habitat in Southborough Gerry Grandoni, Judy Mack, Sheila Basarab, Mark Mayall, Assistance with Invasive Plant David Sette-Ducati and Mike Lydia Rogers, Richard Crowley, Removal and Habitat Restoration: Patterson, for painting trail Don Miller, Joyce Brinton, Framingham State College blazes at Upper Mill Brook in Hans Luwald, and Debbie Chapter of the Wildlife Wayland Lepore Society Genzyme Employees Hans Luwald, Peter Buxton, Holden Trunk works on baseline Nest Box Monitors: Holden Susan Copin and Mass Bay Craig Smith, Elliot Beals, and documention Trunk, Judy Mack, Robert students David Sette-Ducati, for assis- Randall, Jeremiah Griswold, Westborough Boy Scout tance with installing the new Doug Johnson, Joyce Brinton, Troop 100 drainage in front of the barn Dan Kamen, Grace Fogarty, and Scott Cleveland Chase Thompson Molly McAdow, Eli Levy, and Starbucks Family Fair Committee and Jeannie Ford for volunteering at Holden Trunk, for continued Thad Soule Volunteers the Benefit assistance with baseline documen- Holden Trunk and his parents Donna and Art Appel tation Carole Ann Baer Craig Smith, for assistance with The Sudbury Friends Group: Keith and Michelle Bir cable video filming, database Carole Ann Baer - Chair Sherri Cline design, and invasive species Debra Kaye Keena Clifford removal Melissa Gough Susan Crane Donna Appel Susan Culver Bill Kressler, for the donation of Sherri Cline Amy Dooley a floor lamp Marylyn Gentry The Wayland Friends Group Melissa Gough An anonymous donor, for sever- Karen Sirkin - Chair Debra Kaye al assorted field guides Keena Clifford Iryna Priester Marylyn Gentry Karen Sirkin Brad Conant and Peter Buxton, Iryna Priester Betsy Stokey for fixing the kiosk and split rail Susan Culver Sonja Strong fence at the Black Cat Farm park- Sonja Strong Dick Williamson ing lot in Wayland Annalies Kamen tends the butterfly garden SAVE THE DATE!

4 / SUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES / SUMMER 2007 Summer Wren.07 7/23/07 9:07 AM Page 5 cheers SVT staff IVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES

Shannon Lawrence, for office Lydia Rogers, for leading Jill Phelps Kern, for leading a assistance January’s Cedar Swamp Stomp National Trails Day Hike and for help with the Nature throughout Stow’s Emerald Diane Guldner, for the donation Nook Necklace of a copy of National Geographic Birder’s Journal Barbara Dyer, AMC Worcester Joyce Dwyer, for leading a Chapter Chair, for leading the Painting Workshop at Gray Annalies Kamen, for her volun- hike, ski, or snowshoe at Reservation teer assistance at Wolbach Farm, Breakneck Hill Farm in whether it be office assistance or Southborough Jim Roblee, bike technician for grounds maintenance Eastern Mountain Sports, Ilona Blosfelds, for leading a Marlborough, for leading a Jill Kern, for her invaluable Family Hike at Wolbach Farm Mountain Bike program through- expertise and help in developing out Framingham conservation priority area maps for the Land Simon Vos and Susan Crane, land Protection program for leading a paddle to Cedar Swamp Pond, the Chase Thompson, for his office Mother-daughter volunteer team, headwaters of the and grounds assistance Erica Canestraro and Nancy Hallen Sudbury River Annie Culver and Charlie Carol Case, for assisting with the Michele Grzenda, D’Orlando, for their grounds design of the activities calendar for leading a maintenance assistance at Wolbach and for proofreading assistance Woodcock Walk at Farm the Greenways Tom Arnold and Delia Kaye, Conservation Area Nick Van Sciver, for assisting for judging the photo contest and for leading a with invasives control and for morning birdwalk at assisting with the Coyote talk at Peter Golden from Natick, for Upper Mill Brook Wolbach Farm Minuteman Tech students share their findings from a site offering insight on direct mail assessment plan prepared for the Moon property project in Wayland Matt Burne, for Mona Funiciello, for developing leading the Vernal copy for the Wolbach Farm Thanks to the following businesses Pool Exploration at the at the Ecolandscaping Brochures for their donations to the Family Greenways Conservation Area Fair Beverly Smith, Jeanne Lavine, B.J.’s of Natick Don Burn, for leading a hike at Jerry Grandoni, David Sette- Cavicchio’s the Mount Pisgah Conservation Ducati, Erica Canestraro, Precourt and Son, Inc. of Area Nancy Hallen, Annalies Sudbury Kamen, Annie Culver, and Price Chopper Marlborough Hank Norwood, for leading a Charlie D’Orlando, for helping Sudbury Farms May Morning on the Sudbury to keep the Wolbach gardens and Stop and Shop of Acton River paddle grounds looking beautiful Whole Foods of Wayland Joy Viola, for agreeing to take the Chris Wilson (left) discusses a project Cile Hicks, for donating plants George Krusen, for leading the non-paddling birders to the bird- for the gardens annual Winter Solstice Sunrise at ing location for the May Morning to improve the drainage in front of the Wolbach barn with volunteer Peter Half Moon Meadow Brook in program Buxton Boxborough SVT’s 54th Annual Meeting • Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 • Wolbach Farm

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land protection

Chestnut Hill Farm (part of the Sudbury Reservoir system). This will be protected in part by a conservation restriction held by SVT and in part Protection Completed by a restrictive covenant that SVT will be responsible for enforcing. by Christa Collins, Assistant Director of Land Protection Added to the Beals’ previous gifts of 3.4 acres of land and a 48-acre conservation restriction, a total of 237 acres of land has t has been over three years since the Beals family first now been protected in this beautiful corner of Southborough. approached SVT about preserving 186 acres of their farm Iin Southborough, and the final documents ensuring its pro- The project would never have been possible without the gen- tection are on their way to the Registry of Deeds as The Wren erosity of the Beals family, the unwavering support of so many goes to press. Southborough citizens, a grant from the State, and SVT’s part- nership with the Southborough Open Land Foundation Last summer’s Wren shared the news of the biggest victory of (SOLF). Together, SVT and SOLF raised over $700,000 from the Chestnut Hill Farm project: a successful town meeting vote individuals and foundations towards the purchase price of the to purchase a conservation restriction (CR) on 109 acres of the farm parcel CR and to cover other project costs. farm’s main parcel. In December, SVT closed on a conserva- tion restriction on the Red Gate parcel, which was a gift from Public access is allowed on portions of Chestnut Hill Farm. Philip and Elaine Beals. This June, we are closing on the final A trail map is available on the Town’s website, at piece of the farm, a 22-acre portion of the main farm parcel http://www.southboroughtown.com; follow the link to that is separated from the rest by an underground aqueduct Chestnut Hill Farm information under “Southborough News.”

Moon Property Moon, a long-standing member of the including the pink Lady’s Slipper. Wayland Conservation Commission. A In April, SVT and the Conservation Receives Unanimous wetland area and a vernal pool on the Commission presented the proposed pur- property provide habitat for rare species. Town Approval chase, funded in part by the Community Another natural feature of the land is a Preservation Act (CPA), to the annual By Bob Ford, Director of Land Protection diverse upland forest inhabited by various town meeting and the project received forms of unique wildlife and plants, unanimous voter (continued on next page) or the past year and a half, Sudbury Valley Trustees has had the pleasure Fof working with life-long Wayland MOON PROPERTY, WAYLAND resident Elizabeth Moon to preserve her important 7-acre property off Reservoir Road. In January of this year, SVT entered into an agreement with Liz Moon enabling SVT and the Wayland Conservation Commission to join forces to preserve the property, which is adja- cent to the popular 123-acre Hamlen Woods Reservation. For many years, the Existing Moon property has been a top priority House Lot for protection as mentioned in the Wayland Open Space Plan. This parcel has been a priority for SVT and the Town of Wayland because of its many conservation values including the fact that the land abuts the Hamlen Woods Reservation and extends an R important corridor of open space and ES ER V numerous hiking trails for people to O I

R

enjoy. The property has been well cared R O A for by Liz and her late husband Ken D Joyce Dwyer Joyce

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SVT staff Growing up sively allowing dirt trails to be turned into paved sidewalks, they attempted to in Sudbury preserve them. The conscientious and active character of the environmentalists (continued from page 1) in my town, including my parents, has been inspirational to me. Despite their some fantastic discovery. Our typical efforts, they were unable to prevent the discoveries were a variety of wildlife, destruction of the woods next to my small rock caves, an uprooted tree, or an house, but they have been successful in animal’s hole. The opportunity for protecting many other areas. My com- unimpeded exploration offered free- munity’s collective and tireless preserva- dom, time to dream, and the removal of tion efforts have demonstrated to me boundaries from my life. It felt as if the that we must continually work to pro- world were completely open to us, and tect what we value. we were given free reign to explore it. I now cherish even more the places Liz Moon Our blissful naiveté was shattered I loved as a child. As some of the when the field behind our house and remaining natural lands disappear, much of the surrounding woods were Moon Property they become ever more important to destroyed to make way for a new hous- protect. Today, instead of taking for (continued from previous page) ing development. The day after the granted the natural world around me, bulldozers arrived, I sadly watched a approval. The Community I too am working for its preservation. confused mother red fox and her pups Preservation Committee, Conserv- Two summers ago, I volunteered for wander aimlessly across our lawn in ation Commission, Planning Board, Sudbury Valley Trustees. I spent many search of a new home, after their habitat Finance Committee, and the Park and long days stewarding conservation was destroyed and their den in the field Recreation Committee also voted to lands by maintaining trails and by lit- had been plowed over. Looking out our support the purchase. A conservation erally and figuratively building bridges windows, I realized that the seemingly restriction (CR) on the land will be to keep intact and accessible the special endless expanse of “wilderness” that I held by SVT permanently protecting natural places that otherwise might slip had envisioned there forever could sim- the land’s conservation values. SVT is away. ply vanish overnight. further assisting the town by helping In the future, I will take up the to reduce its share of the purchase All over my town new subdivisions activism my community and family price using donations raised during a were springing up. Many of my have modeled for me so that I can per- favorite exploring grounds were being town-wide fundraising campaign. The sonally make a difference. The next replaced by pavement and cookie-cut- donations we received will help the wide-eyed eight-year-old who moves ter houses, and I felt that I was being Town of Wayland retain CPA funds into my community should be able to suffocated. Ironically, as newcomers for other uses, such as future land pro- walk out his back door, experience the were drawn to Sudbury for its beauti- tection, active recreation and housing. boundless adventures that nature has to ful, natural open spaces, they were offer, and maybe even have a chance to Thanks are in order to the residents destroying the very things that had watch those fox pups grow up. of Wayland for supporting this impor- beckoned them here. tant project and to Liz Moon, for making this project possible as a way My community’s reaction to this Benjamin Crane Cmejla will be of honoring Ken’s conservation legacy. rapid pace of development is greatly entering Middlebury College in the fall. responsible for having shaped my own He is the son of Susan Crane and Tom values and aspirations. Instead of pas- Cmejla. Save the Date SVT’S ANNUAL BENEFIT Saturday February 9, 2008

Illustrations by Gordon Morrison

SUMMER 2007 / SUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES / 7 Wolbach Farm 18 Wolbach Road Sudbury, MA 01776

Printed with soy inks on recycled paper

using 100% post-consumer waste.

COMING TO A LIBRARY NEAR YOU! NEAR LIBRARY A TO COMING

Mark your calendars! calendars! your Mark

and on our website (www.svtweb.org). website our on and September 26th. September

dates will be announced in the next activities calendar calendar activities next the in announced be will dates meeting on Wednesday, on meeting

in Sudbury on Thursday, September 20th.Additional September Thursday, on Sudbury in joins us for our annual our for us joins

Ron’s first talk is scheduled for the Goodnow Library Library Goodnow the for scheduled is talk first Ron’s and Field Ornithology, Field and

Chair of Natural History Natural of Chair

communities and landowners to protect local habitat. local protect to landowners and communities Audubon’s Bertrand Audubon’s

and will explain the ways conservationists work with with work conservationists ways the explain will and , holder of Mass of holder , Leahy

presentations will feature many area wildlife photos, wildlife area many feature will presentations Guest speaker speaker Guest Chris

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for one of his Wildlife and Wildlife his of one for McAdow Ron Join

Beginning in September September in Beginning

Sept. 26, 2007 ~ Wolbach Farm Wolbach ~ 2007 26, Sept. Conservation Talks Conservation

SVT’s 54th Annual Meeting Annual 54th SVT’s

Wildlife and and Wildlife

Are Common Birds in Trouble? in Birds Common Are

Birds to Watch: to Birds Summer Wren.07 7/23/07 9:07 AM Page 8 Page AM 9:07 7/23/07 Wren.07 Summer