Trust Sponsors Three Westford Academy Capstone Seniors by Rich Strazdas
The Trust periodically works with Westford Academy seniors in April and May to teach environmental and conservation skills and, frankly, to benefit from some free labor. The six-week program this year is focused on trail structures. Ben Burgess, Connor Tsui, and Matthew Tsui are visiting and documenting the conditions of all trail bridges and boardwalks on Westford trails. Did you know that we have at least 95 such structures? They range from a few planks across a mud hole to 100-foot boardwalks to engineered bridges with footings and railings. Our three interns have so far been taking pictures of every structure and measuring the pieces that need replacement. Later in their Capstone tenure, they will purchase the wood, cut it to size, and bring it to the trail site to make the repair. That’s a lot of walking and carrying! Along the way, they will learn about trail maintenance, easements, Conservation Restrictions, and all the things the Trust does. The Trust gets a baseline of the condition of all trail structures, and Westford benefits from all maintainable structures being in top shape. Many thanks to our trust mentors on this project, Rich Strazdas and Gerry DiBello.
