Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation Issue 10, December 2016 News of the Fells Contents Stranger in the Woods StoryWalk .....1 Masthead ..........................................2 Found in the Fells, December ..........2 Winter Appeal ...................................3 The Colors Teach Us .........................4 Fall for the Fells Success ..................7 Save the Date: Volunteer Event .......7 Fall for the Fells ................................8 Calendar .........................................10 Babes in the Woods ........................11 New Board Member Spotlight: Randi Rotjan................................12 The Friends of the Stranger in the Woods Middlesex Fells Reservation is dedicated StoryWalk® to the protection and We are excited to bring you our lat- on the sheet posted on the Kiosk harmonious use of est StoryWalk® collaboration with at Greenwood Park (across from MA Department of Conservation the Stone Zoo), 176 Pond Street, the Fells; promoting and Recreation, Malden CFCE, Stoneham. There will be a print awareness, policies Mass in Motion, Medford Family out with animal tracks to look for and programs to honor Network and the North Suburban along the way and a handout of and preserve the Child and Family Resource literacy activities to do at home. Network, to offer a self-guided Directions for the self-guided walk ecological, historical and walk through the Fells! Stranger will be posted at Crystal Trail. recreational resources in the Woods, by Carl R. Sams II & This program was adapted from of this urban forest Jean Stoick, is a delightful book The StoryWalk® Project created about the animals and birds’ by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, reservation. reaction to a snowman that sud- VT and developed in collabora- denly appeared in their woods tion with the Vermont Bicycle www.fells.org after a winter storm. Laminated & Pedestrian Coalition and the pages of the book will be displayed Kellogg Hubbard Library. 781-662-2340 along the trail from December [email protected] 24 until January 8. Please sign in News of the Fells 1 Found in the Fells, December Dear Friends, by Bryan Hamlin foundinthefells.com I’m writing to ask you to con- It has to be admitted that floor. From the Pyrola sider a tax-deductible, year- there isn’t so much to im- family are striped win- end gift to the Friends of the mediately delight the eye tergreen, pipsissewa and Middlesex Fells Reservation in the winter—not if we’re round-leaved pyrola. Other to usher in a new year of used to Technicolor. But ground-cover wintergreens expanded youth programs, there are compensations. in the Fells are teaberry, park maintenance, and vigilant stewardship of our The absence of much fo- bearberry and partridge- woodland preserve. Diana Lomakin liage means that one can berry. These latter all pro- see much further in all duce red berries, but don’t Allow me to share a story directions in the woods expect to see too many News of the Fells about Devin, a local high in the winter, whereas in berries later into winter— Devin (far left) with Mustangs of the Fells’ Saida Osman, Zachary Issue 10 school senior, whose life has Matteo, and Friends of the Fells Board member Charles Saulnier summer our view gets of- they will have most likely been deeply enriched by ten hemmed in to looking been eaten by chipmunks the Friends’ youth program- by Neil O. Anderson Neil O. Anderson along the path ahead of us. and birds. ming. Although he grew up Winter Appeal Publisher, Executive Director If we’re quietly on foot and in a house next to the Fells, in environmental science. and 76 thirteen-gallon bags keep alert, there is a better Then about half of all ferns Devin felt uneasy about His is one of many stories of trash removed. More than Lindsay Cornell Beal chance of seeing animal and all clubmosses are venturing into the forest, about how the Friends are 2,000 children participated Publisher, Vice Chair inhabitants of the Fells. In evergreen, and so the late and never stepped foot into impacting lives and impact- in nature-based learning December ’04 I saw a very fall, and into December, if the Fells for 16 years. His ing nature. programs. Diana Lomakin handsome, healthy-looking we don't have snow yet, is outlook changed this past Creative Director fox in Lawrence Woods. a good time to see these spring when he hiked the As we reflect on the year Our work depends on the attractive plants as they are Fells for the very first time past, the Friends of the Fells generosity of thousands of Katie Aberbach It is also easier to spot the easier to spot now that the through a Friends program. has a great deal to celebrate. supporters like you. Today, Editor several evergreen plants competition has died back. He shared with me that he We have continued to lead more than ever, we need that grow on the forest is no longer apprehensive the charge against incongru- your help. With your gen- Cherylanne Petrunti in the natural environment ous development, created erous assistance, we will Frosted teaberry by Bryan Hamlin Editor but instead wants to cele- an ambitious program of inspire more Devins. We will brate nature every day and volunteer-assisted hiking continue to strengthen our Sheri Qualters join the Friends’ efforts to trail maintenance and resto- substantial stewardship Editor protect and preserve the ration, and provided recre- offerings, and we will have Reservation. Devin has ation and conservation-driv- the resources to continue to become an active program en service programs for bring the community to- participant, volunteer, and local youth. The results have gether to maintain the char- student leader. His first hike been impressive—more than acter and integrity of the in the Fells was amongst a 1,200 volunteers participat- Middlesex Fells Reservation. litany of firsts for him, in- ed in service and steward- cluding climbing his first ship programs to benefit the Warm Regards and Happy tree. Devin is now an every- Fells and its visitors resulting Holidays, day hiker, nature enthusiast, in 36 miles of trails cleared Neil O. Anderson and is considering a career of brush and overgrowth, Executive Director 2 News of the Fells News of the Fells 3 The Colors Teach Us Spectacular sugar maples The magic has begun. The of yards, particularly the something they have harvest- ator magnet you can send in natural changes in autumn tree- and telephone-climbing ed themselves, it takes on a a Christmas card. Your kids’ provide parents with a bril- individuals. It is bright red and whole new meaning and can knowledge will impress their liant opportunity to teach chil- surrounds the trunk, reach- make them feel more secure teachers and draw them clos- dren – a virtual science project ing sometimes as high as 15 in nature. We have gotten so er to the natural world. surrounding us on all sides, or 20 feet, a spectacular and far from the circle of life in re- And remember to have fun. the sensory delight of color, successful species that also cent history that food appears Exploring nature is enjoyable technical lessons of chemical provides plenty of berries for to originate from a store, as well as educational, and reactions, all contained in a wildlife winter repast. Now rather than from natural food- has the added benefits of spiritually magical setting – is the time to teach children stuffs in the world. If children fresh air and exercise. Find the fall colors emerge. about this noxious plant. see themselves as part of na- your local parks and make The process is complex, Once they can identify it, they ture rather than separate from friends with the trees, now involving terms like anthocy- can avoid it, unlike yours tru- it, the fear of outdoors melts shutting themselves down for anin and carotenoid, chloro- ly, who suffered from horrible away and becomes a stage for the winter and giving us the phyll of every persuasion and episodes every summer of creative exploration. true magic of autumn colors. biological processes that can childhood. Look closely at the Take your time. Pick up a blow the mind, all manifest- leaves and learn them now. couple of field guides and Barbara Buls Boudreau ed in a gorgeous display of Your kids (and you!) will re- page through them. Learn and works for the Department of nature’s best. The best part is member what they look like. then teach one or two basics. Conservation and Recreation The Colors Teach Us you don’t have to know all the Blueberry bushes turn their Feel the texture of the bark, of as a Regional Interpretive Photos and article by Barbara Buls Boudreau scientific details to introduce gorgeous red-purple, Virginia the leaves. Press some col- Coordinator, teaching kids and Richard Louv spoke at tially our “home,” and knowl- your kids to natural species. creeper turns scarlet (both an- orful leaves (but not poison adults about the amazing re- Brookwood School in edge of surroundings increas- And for the nature lover, thocyanins), and invasives be- ivy!) to laminate later. Cut the sources of Massachusetts State Manchester-by-the-Sea es our safety and enhances there is a chance to easily put come show pieces. Just drive stems from the leaves and Parks. She is also the author of the other day. His new our life experience. names to key species. Every on any highway at this time then place them at least a half numerous articles and her first book Vitamin N follows on I have followed Louv’s writ- plant has its own composition of year. The oriental bitter- inch apart in a 5 mm laminat- novel The Frenchman.