This past year, 2024, was warmer than ever before. This change in climate has affected both flora and fauna, and has us worried for their welfare. January saw several small snowstorms of 5 and 8”, but generally there was little snow. At the end of January the temperature was 50 degrees and cloudy for many…
This article tells the rest of the story of “Anatomy of a Boardwalk” from the Spring newsletter. Westford Academy runs a Capstone program every spring for senior students, who may choose to intern at a local business or perform community service. This is the second time the Trust has utilized this program to apply local…
In this issue WCT Annual Meeting – November 2024 The Trust’s Summer 2024 Activities Lakeside Meadows Boardwalk Expansion Ongoing Trail Maintenance Bill Harman – Hero of the Westford Conservation Trust by Rose O’Donnell Tuesday Morning Trail Projects by Bill Harman Trust mentors four Westford Academy Capstone Students by Rich Strazdas Fall 2024 Newsletter
A pair of Bald Eagles seen near the corner of Forge Village Road and Town Farm Road in Westford on Jan 9, 2025. Photo by Pete and Ethan Ewing.
WCT Annual Meeting – Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at 7 pm – PCA (Parish Center for the Arts) , Westford Center Members and friends are invited to join us for our our Annual Trust Meeting. We will have a brief Trust business meeting followed by our guest speaker. Light refreshments will be served. Hope you…
Each year the Trust presents college scholarships to Westford seniors going to college with an interest in environmental science or related field, demonstrated by coursework and volunteer/community service. Education and conservation are foremost in the minds of the Trust directors and we hope to encourage the youth of Westford to follow this same passion. The…
Happy Fall, wildlife lovers, here we have arrived at the end of summer, and I haven’t checked in for quite a while. Westford Wildlife Watch was first published in 1990, and has appeared monthly since then—34 years! This article will occur only occasionally in the future, as I plan to spend the next year collecting…
Marsh Marigold noted at Emmet Conservation Land May 11, 2024 during the trust annual Bird Walk. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is notable for its bright yellow spring bloom and its high tolerance for shade. The glossy, deep green leaves look good all season long, and the early bloom can give wet spots and pondsides a…
In This Issue WCT 40th Anniversary See Something – Say Something by Rich Strazdas Anatomy of a Boardwalk by Rich Strazdas The New Overlook Trail by Bill Harman Help Wanted! May is Garlic Mustard Pulling Time Spring 2024 Newsletter
Early Birds Its clear that spring has started early. Precipitation is seven inches above normal this year, and above average temperatures suggest that this will be a warm spring. As I write this at the end of April, many trees are in full bloom, and are already opening their leaves, blueberry bushes are blooming, starflower…
Spring has come early this year, at least if you watch and listen for emerging amphibians. Many amphibians usually emerge from their winter hibernation in late March or early April. They wait for very specific conditions: a rainy night after the ground has thawed and the temperature is at least 40 degrees. Amphibians migrate from…
In May of 2020, northern Westford experienced a furious microburst of wind. It came on very suddenly and knocked down huge swathes of big old pine trees in its path. Our condo and some others were damaged by trees falling. The forest to the north of us which borders on Snake Meadow Brook and Keyes…
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