WINTER NEWSLETTER THE WREN Jan uar y 2013 Pantry Brook Farm and O’Brien Farm Expand Region’s Protected Open Space

As the final days of 2012 came to an end, SVT was able to celebrate the closing of two significant conservation projects. These Lichen-covered boulders provide topographical interest to Wrack Meadow Woods. transactions occurred too late for full cover- age in this edition of The Wren, but you can look forward to learning more about these Wrack Meadow Woods in beautiful properties in our spring Wren. Pantry Brook Farm, an iconic Sudbury Boylston Becomes SVT’s landmark, encompasses 97 acres of natural beauty, as well as an agricultural and historic Newest Reservation By Christa Collins, Director of Land Protection richness. As the largest undeveloped, unpro- tected property in Sudbury, it has been a top On December 6th, 2012, SVT acquired the fee title to its newest reservation, Wrack priority for SVT and the town of Sudbury Meadow Woods. This 11.6-acre parcel is located in the northwest corner of Boylston, for many years. Landowners Carole and Dick in the proximity of three other SVT reservations: Wrack Meadow Brook, Keisling, and Wolfe have placed this historic farm under Mile Hill Woods. Just to the east of this forested area is the Mt. Pisgah complex, made a conservation restriction to be co-held by up of over 700 acres of lands owned by the towns of Berlin and Northborough and SVT and the town of Sudbury. the Mass Department of Fish and Game. SVT holds several conservation restrictions The year’s final closing protected within the Mt. Pisgah area. To the west of these lands, significant acreage surrounding the O’Brien Farm in Westford with a the Wachusett Reservoir is protected by the Mass Division of Water Supply Protection. 23-acre conservation restriction, co-held Wrack Meadow Woods is mostly upland and is entirely wooded, with a combi- by SVT and the Westford Conservation nation of red and white oak, hickories, and an understory dominated by lowbush Commission. The fourth-generation land- bluberry and huckleberry. Deer and turkey presence is very evident. In some areas, owner, Charlie McColough, manages his mature white pines extend upward into a cathedral canopy. The forest floor is soft property specifically for the benefit of wild- with pine needles, and large, lichen-covered boulders protrude here and there. life. A network of trails meanders through As a landlocked parcel, the Royal Realty Trust property was not imminently diverse habitat, which includes forests, threatened by development, but, its proximity to other reservations makes meadows, and Pond Brook. This project it a most attractive addition to SVT’s holdings and the region’s open space. provided SVT with a rewarding oppor- Another important feature is its inclusion as “Core Natural Landscape” in the tunity to partner with the Westford Land Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program’s (NHESP), Preservation Foundation. Biomap2 plan (2010). This designation identifies blocks of land that “provide (continued on page 4)

SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 1 1/18/13 12:12 PM Board of Directors Colin Anderson, Sudbury, President Sherrill Cline, Sudbury, Vice President NOTES FROM RON Bruce Osterling, Sudbury, Treasurer Peter Martin, Northborough, Clerk Brian Clew, Framingham Richard Dinjian, Shrewsbury Marylynn Gentry, Wayland Six Decades Chris Jenny, Wayland Our application to the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission gave us an oppor- Richard Johnson, Concord tunity to sum up our organization’s cumulative impact. I thought you’d be interested in Robert Kamen, Sudbury this excerpt from our submission. Deirdre Menoyo, Sudbury The landscapes of eastern Massachusetts have felt the effects of decades of Arthur Milliken, Concord intense development, but significant natural and agricultural areas have been pre- David Moore, Framingham served. The towns of the region have grown, but the area has not been reduced to Karin Paquin, Marlborough the broad belt of pavement and lawn that surrounds some American cities. Living Richard Perkins, Stow room has been saved for the plants and animals that provide the natural context Iryna Priester, Wayland for humanity. Sudbury Valley Trustees has played a leading part in protecting Pam Resor, Acton open land, on its own, and in collaboration with others. Stephen Richmond, Sudbury The communities that spawned Sudbury Valley Trustees are real towns, some of Stephen Winthrop, Wayland the oldest in the . Through centuries of self-government, they devel- oped strong cultures in which residents felt entitled and duty-bound to speak STAFF their minds. This resolve for self-determination was strong in the generation that Ron McAdow Executive Director brought forth Sudbury Valley Trustees, an organization founded by seven con- cerned citizens that grew into a regional force whose work is supported by dozens Ellen Byrne Business Manager of volunteers and by upwards of 3,000 members. Sudbury Valley Trustees came Christa Hawryluk Collins into possession of extensive acres of land, which, had they not been committed Director of Land Protection to conservation, would be worth many millions of dollars, and, as they stand, are Susan J. Crane invaluable. Land Protection Specialist Although the founders included purposeful, strong-willed individuals, they did Ashley Davies not achieve these results by mere force of character. Rather, they succeeded by AmeriCorps Member receiving the energies of others who shared their concerns, giving them a focus, Beth Gula and finding ways for each of them to participate in the long-sustained effort. This AmeriCorps Member convergence of strong leadership with openness to new voices and divergent view- Nancy Hallen points is the basis of SVT’s accomplishments. Office Manager Ellie Johnson Sudbury Valley Trustees and its allies in conservation continue to provide a Office Assistant counterbalance to sprawl, striving to preserve those areas most critical to our nat- Laura Mattei ural heritage. We remind ourselves that the real beneficiaries of our work are the Director of Stewardship generations who will follow us, who will find the diversity of plants and animals Michael Sanders and the serenity of natural places preserved for them. Because of our work, tree Director of Membership swallows will have standing deadwood in which to build their nests and flying Dan Stimson insects to feed their young. People will have places to grow food and to expose Assistant Director of Stewardship their eyes, ears, and noses to the colors, patterns, music, and fragrances of nature. Chris Wilson And, for those who love to study nature, there will be woods and fields in which Caretaker to investigate the patterns and logic of lives so different from ours. Six decades of The Wren passionate conservation have made a huge difference in the quality of our land- Nancy Hallen, Editor scapes and the characters of our towns. Joyce Dwyer & Gordon Morrison, Illustrators Jason Fairchild, The Truesdale Group, Designer

Sudbury Valley Trustees 18 Wolbach Road Ron McAdow, Executive Director Sudbury, MA 01776 Tel: 978/443-5588 • Fax: 978/443-2333 E-mail: [email protected] Sudbury Valley Trustees is a regional land trust, founded Website: www.svtweb.org in 1953. For almost 60 years, SVT has been dedicated to conserving land and protecting wildlife habitat of the Concord, Assabet, basin. This is one of the most scenic, culturally rich, and historically significant regions in the United States. Guided by a well thought-out strategic plan, SVT carries out its mission for the benefit of present and future generations.

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 2 1/18/13 12:12 PM An Early Fascination with the Natural World Beth Gula, AmeriCorps Member As a child growing up in the dense suburbs of Washington D.C., I had a budding understanding of watersheds and my place in them long before I studied ecology in school. Stencil-painted labels declaring “Chesapeake Bay Drainage” on every corner storm drain told me that I lived in a watershed. The connection started to form that gravity carried water, along with our lost nerf balls, stray candy wrappers, and the soap suds from a weekend car-wash, down and away to the culvert at the bottom of the hill, to the creek in our nearby woods, and then miles and miles out towards the Atlantic. Those drainage signs told me that my actions in our front yard had the potential to affect living things that seemed worlds away. I could influence whether fish had oxygen to breathe, oysters could flourish, or turtles choked on plastic grocery bags. The idea that “we are all downstream,” connected and interdependent, germi- nated in me farther back than I can remember. The concept has guided my personal development and professional aspirations. The natural world always fascinated me. Real chances to explore in the woods were rare but enlivening. I went to a sleep-away camp one week each summer; some years I AmeriCorps members Beth Gula and Ashley Davies bring much appreciated energy and experience to SVT. (continued on page 4) Storm Destruction Has Benefits Too! Beth Gula, AmeriCorps Member Superstorm Sandy, like other ers or sapsuckers, which can more intense storms in recent years, left readily excavate the weakened destruction and a death toll across wood to build nests within. When New England in her wake. In our the initial inhabitants abandon region, high winds brought down these holes, new residents move utility poles and dropped trees that in, including wood ducks, tree cut off electricity and roadways, swallows, bats, squirrels, and por- disrupting schools, businesses, and cupines. Snags provide a desirable everyday lives. Here at SVT, we surface for drumming and court- were expecting reports of fallen ship displays. Wildlife, especially limbs and damaged or uprooted birds, feast on the insects that are trees on our properties. Calls likewise consuming the dying tree. came in quickly, and damage was When trees fall, they provide widespread. Restoring trail access habitat for an array of plants, required the hard work of staff and insects, amphibians and mam- a large team of good-natured and mals, often becoming more attrac- committed volunteers. Assistant Director of Stewardship Dan Stimson and Beth Gula tackle post- Sandy trail maintenance. tive as they rot. Worms, spiders, Though the brutal effects of the and beetles feed on decaying matter. storm dominated our attention, Salamanders seek out the safety and from an ecological perspective, Sandy’s havoc provided overlooked dampness found beneath a rotting log. Mammals find relief from and decidedly beneficial impacts to our local forests. Disturbance heat and protection from snow. Decaying wood recycles nutrients and change are integral to healthy, resilient ecosystems; destruc- back into the earth, providing rich organic soil suitable for seed- tive events balance the proverbial energy “budget” in systems lings, fungi, mosses, ferns, and wildflowers. Tree seedlings take where resources and growth are limited. Decay and death provide root and develop on a single downed limb, commonly referred nutrients and material for new growth. Severe events accelerate to as a nurse log. Dead wood can act as a ground cover, prevent- regeneration; for example, fallen trees create gaps in the canopy that ing erosion and also preventing animals from over-grazing plant allow new trees to succeed. Some ecosystem processes depend on seedlings. Nutrient rich wood nurtures the ever-evolving life that periodic, major disturbance, such as certain seeds requiring the high thrives here. temperatures of wildfires in order to germinate. A tree plays a unique role in all stages of its life cycle, from seed Damage to trees has positive consequences that reverberate to maturity to decaying decline. While a majestic old pine quickly throughout the ecosystem. Damaged or dead trees that remain may become an eyesore and a major inconvenience in a storm standing, called snags, offer attractive homes to a wide variety of like Sandy, in the forest, a fallen tree’s splintered remains serve an birds, from nuthatches to screech owls. Snags appeal to woodpeck- important role for wildlife, diversity and ecosystem function.

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 3 1/18/13 12:12 PM Wrack Meadow Woods (continued from page 1)

habitat for wide-ranging native species, support intact ecological processes, maintain connectivity among habitats, and enhance ecological resilience.” Wrack Meadow Woods buffers a signifi- cant area of “Core Habitat” to the east, which harbors several state-listed endangered species. This acquisition helps fulfill a goal of SVT’s 2008-2013 Strategic Plan of having 80% of the acres we protect during this period located in areas of high qual- ity habitat. Because Wrack Meadow Woods’ interior location is not easily accessible from a trailhead, it will be minimally managed for wild- life habitat. Some trails do exist on the property, and if deemed appropriate, future plans could enhance public access from adja- cent properties for passive recreation. Wrack Meadow Woods was purchased from the Royal Realty Trust using a combination of private funds and SVT reserves. Special thanks go to the Fields Pond Foundation for its grant of $15,000. Neighbors, residents of Boylston and surrounding towns, and other conservation-minded individuals were also gen- erous supporters. The project additionally benefited by a challenge match from the owner of the nearby 45-acre Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary, where site preparation has begun for a new nature center, set back from a Linden Street entrance. The backland will include a walking Wrack Meadow Woods adds to an expanding complex of conservation lands. trail. Just seven years ago, the Summer Star land was permitted for a 32-lot subdivision. At that time, it was hard to imagine all the won- region, generously contributed to the successful acquisition of derful conservation work that would be happening in these woods! this beautiful property! SVT would like to thank the many individuals and organiza- tions who, recognizing the value of this strategically important

An Early Fascination with the Natural World (continued from page 3) rafted West Virginia’s New River and camped on its banks. Another taste of trail work. I joined the crew of an Appalachian Mountain time, I lived on an oyster buyboat, sleeping on deck and spending Club lodge at the base of Mt. Washington in the height of winter, the days crabbing, fishing and swimming. It was in high school, and I soon became absorbed in its trails department working with serving as a volunteer exhibit guide at the National Aquarium in volunteers. These diverse experiences in conservation reinforced for Baltimore, that I first discovered the joy and importance of sharing me that even brief positive encounters with nature allow people to my awe of nature with others. In my mind, the greater purpose become more aware of the many ways we affect our land and more of my position at the Aquarium was to help others to find beauty invested in making a positive impact. or inspiration in nature so that they might become conservation- Now I find myself excited to serve as an AmeriCorps-MassLIFT ists themselves. The cumulative effect of these experiences was that Land Steward and proud to join the friendly crew of conservation- I knew I had a desire and a responsibility to be an environmental ists at SVT, from the Wolbach staff to the devoted member volun- steward in some way. teers. My current responsibilities focus on conservation-restriction At Oberlin College, I earned a biology degree and also spent (CR) monitoring and baseline documentation. This fall has been much of my time studying environmental science, French, and busy with meeting landowners for annual monitoring visits, assist- art. In the summers, I set aside academics and worked in the ing with baseline tasks for several pending CRs, and compiling Appalachian Blue Ridge as an outdoor adventure instructor. I led addendum information on older CRs to fulfill Land Trust Alliance groups of young people, mostly from the D.C. suburbs, out to requirements for accreditation. I will also be coordinating steward- climb rocks, explore caves, paddle down rivers, and more. From ship workshops and volunteer events throughout the year. Finally, the start, I was hooked on spending every day and night in the I will assist with a range of stewardship tasks on SVT reserva- woods and sharing my love of the outdoors with others. After tions and attend trainings relevant to issues in the region, such as graduation, this camp job launched me on a long string of seasonal impacts of deer overabundance. Since beginning my AmeriCorps outdoor positions that allowed me to explore different pockets of term, I have been continually inspired by the energy and com- the United States. For two seasons, I worked as an outdoor educa- mitment of those in SVT’s community; I look forward to further tor in western North Carolina. Out West, I collected native seeds exploring our watershed and meeting many more of SVT’s mem- in Arizona for habitat restoration after wildfires, and I got my first bers and partners throughout the year.

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 4 1/18/13 12:12 PM Sudbury Valley Trustees Celebrates at its 59th Annual Meeting SVT celebrated its 59th Annual Meeting Warren Woods” campaign. Additionally, at its Wolbach Farm headquarter on a Andre and Christine Navez of Hopkinton beautiful Sunday afternoon in October. and Robert Kamen and Trudi Veldman of Many area residents were recognized for Sudbury received Life Member Awards for Simon Vos Simon their conservation efforts. Skip Duggan exceptional service and generosity. Corey of Berlin was honored with The Lewis Crowley of Berlin, Charles Eyermann of Conservation Award for his contribu- Sudbury, and Sam Bajgot of Sudbury were tions to land protection in the town recipients of Youth Steward Awards for their of Berlin. Lauren Kaplan of Sudbury leadership and hard work on improvements at received the Morgan Volunteer Award selected SVT reservations. for the creative energy she has contrib- Marion Stoddart of Groton, an environ- uted to SVT—especially with events for mental advocate who spearheaded the clean- young children and families. Rebecca up of the and later founded the Chizzo of Sudbury was recognized with Nashua River Watershed Association shared the SVT Steward of the Land Award for SVT Executive Director Ron McAdow presents her inspiring personal journey, acknowledging her vision and leadership in the organi- Marion Stoddart with a Lifetime Conservation individuals and life lessons that helped bring zation of the Sudbury Weed Education Achievement Award. her vision to reality. and Eradication Team (S.W.E.E.T.). Annual Meeting provides a rewarding Beth Rosenblum of Ashland received The Distinguished Public opportunity to hear the stories of the many individuals, devotedly Service Award for her contributions as Conservation Agent for the working for the preservation of local lands and waterways so they town of Southborough and as the former Chair of Ashland Open continue to survive and flourish. Space, an organization instrumental in the success of the “Save Simon Vos Simon Vos Simon

Awards winners (l-r) Rebecca Chizzo, Robert Kamen, Trudi Veldman, Lauren Christa Collins presents a Lifetime Membership Award to Andre and Kaplan, Skip Duggan and Beth Rosenblum Christine Navez of Hopkinton.

$150 per person

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 5 1/18/13 12:12 PM music; Carlson Orchards for donating apples; Three Cheers! Velma’s Wicked Delicious Kettle Corn; To the following individuals and businesses: Bolton Spring Farm for providing pumpkins; Bolton Orchards for providing cider donuts; Carver Hill Orchard for providing apple cider; Eriksons of Maynard for providing the ice Cherrie Corey for leading a walk at Gowings Chestnut Hill Farm for providing corn stalks; cream for SVT’s Ice Cream Social Swamp Maynard Open Table for collecting unopened Sudbury Lumber for its donation of steward- Will Merry from Eastern Mountain Sports, leftovers and pumpkins for its weekly family- ship supplies Northborough for leading a Bike Tour of SVT table dinner program Townline Hardware, Sudbury for its donation Conservation Land in the western watershed Doug Brown from the Mycological of stewardship supplies Marion Stoddart for her inspiring keynote talk Club for leading a Mushroom Walk at Memorial Forest Home Depot for its assistance in obtaining at SVT’s Annual Meeting stewardship supplies Simon Vos for his photography assistance at Danielle Fredericks from Drumlin Farm for hosting Natural Wonders pre-school program Whole Foods Wayland for the bountiful the SVT Annual Meeting fruit platter that it created for SVT’s Annual Nancy Reilly, Mark Levinson, and Middlesex Bruce Porter for leading a Glacial Features Meeting Savings Bank for their assistance with recogni- Exploration Walk at Gray Reservation Trader Joe’s Acton for its contribution of a tion gifts for the SVT Annual Meeting award Cecilia Sharma for continuing to lead a carefully-selected assortment of chips, dips and recipients Watercolor Workshop at Wolbach Farm cheeses for SVT’s Annual Meeting Stephen Ziobrowski for leading a Planned Laura Hajduk Conlee with Mass Division To EDR for providing pro-bono reports to Giving talk for SVT membership of Fisheries and Wildlife for leading a talk Minuteman Technical High School for the Lauren Kaplan and Sarah Jacobi-Jang for co- entitled “Black Bears: All You Need to Know” preparation of a Phase I Environmental Study chairing SVT’s Pumpkin Patch Halloween Chris Stix for leading an Appreciating Nature Bruce Black for agreeing to serve as Christmas The many volunteers at Pumpkin Patch walk at the Nobscot Scout Reservation Bird Count coordinator for the town of Sudbury Jenn Sutherland Mary Dave Halloween: , and Gordon Morrison for presenting a talk enti- Swiniarski Cole Philip Heywood Jessica Lyell Slade for her willingness to serve in the , and , tled “How to Be a Field Artist” Ashe Kelly Schafer Pollyana Neves Luciana capacity of SVT Assistant Clerk , , , Vise, Bianca Guzman, and representing Brian Butler for leading a program on the Hal Cutler for his pro bono assistance in the the Youth In Philanthropy Program at the Blandings Turtle Project design of the fire alarm system for the Wolbach Foundation for Metrowest: Laura Gillespie, Gretchen Sterling, Lauren Kaplan, Donna Farm barn Virginia Hanstad, Becca Hamilton, Shannon Appel, Judy Eneguess, George Harrington, Hall, Stephanie Cornett, and Rosie Rust Simon Vos for leading a Full Moon Paddle at Barbara Earley, and Dominique Verly for Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton More Pumpkin Patch Halloween Thanks: their regular office assistance Heather Wilkinson, Children’s Librarian Dick Williamson for leading a bike tour of Betty Wright for providing extensive support from Goodnow Library, Sudbury for sto- SVT conservation land-in the eastern watershed in the office rytelling; Wendy Ernst from Drumlin Farm Doug Seale for his ongoing leadership of the for bringing live owls; Diana Newton-Wood Charlee Eaton, Susan Litowitz, Lyell Slade, SVT book club for placing letterboxing challenges through- and Ursula Lyons for their office assistance to out Wolbach Farm; Melissa Misiewicz for help get out fall mailings Jim Lagerbom and Dan Foster for leading the leading the letterboxing challenge; Gordon Autumnal Equinox Paddle Eastern Mountain Sports in Northborough, Morrison for his artist demonstrations; Susan Marlborough, and Acton for supporting SVT Debbie Costine Kapuscinski Gaylord for her Making Books for creating and hosting a during its Fall Club Days promotion Children’s Story Walk at Wolbach Farm program; Whiskey Boys for providing live Wayside Inn for its generous support in host- ing SVT’s Circle of Friends luncheon Special Thanks Rosemary Comrie of Comrie Real Estate for creating a Real Estate Membership Program to the following funders and sponsors for their recent generous support of our work: Fletcher Comrie for spending a day volunteer- ing at Wolbach Farm Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for its contribution to the Volunteer Initiative Project Isaac Feldberg for assisting with publicity of the pitch pine-scrub oak barrens restoration Sudbury Foundation for its generous support of the Volunteer Initiative Project project Fields Pond Foundation for its contribution towards the purchase of Karin Paquin for preparing the frequently- Wrack Meadow Woods asked-questions brochure on the pitch pine/ Karen Norman and Matt Walsh from TD Bank, Wayland scrub oak barrens restoration project and Sudbury for their generous support of Pumpkin Patch Halloween, plus their “Olive Tom and Carlie Friedlander for clearing Oil and Popeye” costumed attendance to help assist at the event downed trees after Superstorm Sandy on a mul- Roche Brothers / Sudbury Farms for its sponsorship of titude of reservations SVT’s 59th Annual Meeting Erick Kilham for building and installing an Capital Group Properties for its sponsorship of SVT’s 59th Annual Meeting informational kiosk at Greenways’ north field habitat restoration site

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 6 1/18/13 12:12 PM VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT TOM AND CARLIE FRIEDLANDER By Michael Sanders, Director of Membership

High winds, hurricanes, floods, ice maintains very strict requirements for all storms, earthquakes: we have had quite volunteers using chainsaws, including eye our share of dramatic weather recently. and ear protection, steel-toed shoes and All are well aware of the damage such Kevlar chaps.) events can cause to homes, but what Tom and Carlie truly stepped up fol- about trails? SVT is very fortunate to lowing Superstorm Sandy. With reports have a great group of property stewards, of trails blocked on many properties, members, and volunteers keeping their they both spent many hours meeting eyes on our properties, reporting back to with property stewards throughout the us anytime something needs attention. watershed. They both agree that their Following Superstorm Sandy, there were favorite part of each visit was getting to numerous reports of trees down on trails. know many dedicated stewards, includ- With great thanks to Tom and Carlie ing Lawrence Morris, Michele Lemettais, Friedlander, (Tom with chainsaw and Doug Johnson, and SVT Director Carlie clearing debris) a seemingly hercu- Marylynn Gentry. While staff view their lean clean-up endeavor suddenly became assistance as hard work and cannot thank a more manageable task. them enough, Tom and Carlie emphasize When a tree falls away from trails on the rewards of visiting many undiscovered SVT conservation land, it is customary Tom and Carlie Friedlander enthusiastically embark on a SVT properties that they might otherwise to let it be; a phrase commonly used by major clean-up effort. never have seen. the Stewardship staff is “dead wood is Next time you’re on an SVT trail good wood.” Trails, however, are a dif- tion to SVT’s Annual Benefit by new and find it accessible and passable, we ferent story. Trails allow the public and Sudbury neighbors and loyal SVT sup- hope you recognize the hard work of SVT members to venture into “unkempt” porters, Art and Donna Appel, heightened SVT volunteers, which helps provide areas, and while trying to maintain them their interest, and resulted in two superla- a great experience. And, if you walk a as close as possible to their natural state, tive volunteers. trail and see that it is blocked, please the foremost consideration must be safety At the Annual Benefit, a discussion with contact the Stewardship staff. This three- and enjoyment. Tom somehow enthusiastically landed on person department (including Beth, our Tom and Carlie Friedlander moved the word chainsaw. As SVT is always in AmeriCorps member) would never be able to Sudbury in January 2011 from a his- need of reliable volunteers with chainsaw to manage our lands without the dedica- toric home in Weston. Carlie, an avid skills, Tom was introduced to Assistant tion of hundreds of great volunteers. horseback rider, had always had a strong Director of Stewardship Dan Stimson, Thank you Tom and Carlie for your appreciation for a well-maintained trail. SVT’s main overseer of trails. Soon thereaf- appreciation of the land and your enthusi- In Sudbury, the Friedlanders quickly dis- ter, Dan took Tom and Carlie out to several asm for a well maintained trail….as well as covered the SVT trails but did not know properties in need of tree clearing, and they your skill with chainsaw and loppers. much about the organization. An invita- have been off and sawing ever since. (SVT

transitions

Karin Paquin Joins Board Sudbury Valley Trustees would like to welcome Karin Paquin to the Board of Directors. Karin is new to the Board but a longtime friend of SVT, having volunteered in many different capacities and responded to our many pleas for help. She was the 2010 recipient of the Morgan Volunteer Award. She currently serves on the SVT Stewardship Committee and is a regular assistant to the Stewardship program. She has aided in the prep- aration of baseline documentation for various SVT reservations, helped identify and map invasive plants, and played a key role in the current restoration project underway at the Desert Natural Area, located in Sudbury and Marlborough. Karin brings a strong background in both natural and environmental sciences. She also vol- unteers at the New England Wild Flower Society and for the Marlborough Conservation Commission. SVT feels fortunate to have Karin sharing her many skills as a member of SVT’s Board of Directors.

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SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 7 1/18/13 12:12 PM Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Holliston, MA Permit No. 72

Wolbach Farm 18 Wolbach Road Sudbury, MA 01776 Spring Activities

Printed with soy inks on recycled paper Calendar Enclosed using 100% post-consumer waste. Printed with 100% wind power.

Earth Day Signs are Back! Earth Day is the one time in the year when the whole nation is tuned in to protecting the environment. Would you consider joining other open- space advocates around Massachusetts to show your support of the land trust movement and Sudbury Valley Trustees? The lawn-sign campaign is beginning to spread! Watch for various land-trust signs as you travel about the state. If you would like to host a sign in your yard, you can contact Ashley Davies any time at [email protected] or 978-443-5588 x121. Sign orders will be placed in March.

SVT Wren Winter 2012.indd 8 1/18/13 12:12 PM