TRAIL HIKES
Gamlin Esker
Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. sharp, join members of Groton Trails Committee on a late-fall guided hike on Gamlin Esker Trail. Hike together through the woods, up and over a beautiful esker overlooking Cow Pond Brook and flanking a large wetland area where we may see beaver and spy last summer's herons nests. This hike showcases one of the many wonderful conservation areas owned by the Groton Conservation Trust. Hike will take be about 1.5 hours, and is suitably short for families with children. Dogs must be kept under owner's control or leashed upon request. Wear comfortable hiking shoes. The hike will be held unless very stormy.
Meet at the very end of Cow Pond Brook Rd., past the transfer station. Park on the roadside.
Whitman River Trail
Nashua River Watershed Association invites the public to a free guided hike on Whitman River Trail in Westminster Sun., Nov. 17, 2-4 p.m. This beautiful trail runs along Whitman River, from Crocker Pond in Westminster to Rt. 2A across from Wachusett Brewery near Fitchburg/Westminster line. Abutting land is owned by Westminster and the river is a tributary to the North Branch of the Nashua in W. Fitchburg, Guides will be Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs Director, and Ken Pearson, Biology/Environmental Science Instructor with Monty Tech, Fitchburg. We'll cross feeder streams which are home to native brook trout and other wildlife. Highlights include frog pond, vernal pools, seeps and a variety of aquatic and upland habitats. Evidence of moose, deer and beaver has been seen along the trail. Ken Pearson was recently awarded the Mass. Audubon Conservation Teacher of the Year for High Schools, and recognized for creating an outdoor classroom and stewardship program (2009) for aquatic studies, connecting students and their curriculum to local resources such as Whitman River and Snow's Mill Pond.
Meet at soccer field parking lot across from Wachusett Brewery (roughly 202 State Road East in Westminster); Google map and directions available atwww.NashuaRiverWatershed.org. Walk is free and open to the public. No dogs allowed. NRWA leads monthly walks on conservation properties in our watershed communities to encourage residents to get to know about local natural places, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.Pre-registration appreciated. Contact Al Futterman at (978) 448-0299, or email AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
