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April 2024
Spring Nature Walk
Rich Baker, a conservation biologist and curious naturalist, will lead a walk focused on the plants and animals we see along our way. We'll discuss the ecological relationships around us, share what we know, and wonder about things we don't know. There will be spring wildflowers to identify, trees to marvel at, birds to find…
Find out more »May 2024
Those Amazing Lichens!
Come learn about lichens, those fascinating symbiotic organisms that consist of combinations of fungus and algae enmeshed into distinct individual species. You will learn how to tell lichens from mosses, and notice different forms of lichens such as leaf, bush, dust, scale, and crust. We’ll use hand lenses to get a close-up look at the…
Find out more »Work Day Event: Shrubland Habitat and Native Plants
Several years ago, we established three “islands” of native shrubs in Cooke's Pasture to provide food and habitat for shrubland birds and small mammals. We return every year to prune the shrubs, cut back competing undergrowth, and replace plants that have not survived the winter. Tools will be provided, though additional clippers are always welcome.…
Find out more »Spring Bird Walk
Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn, experienced birders and members of the Hampshire Bird Club, will lead a bird walk along the Pines Edge swamp and Boggy Meadow Road to the Bird Blind. We will look for breeding migrants and resident birds as we pass through a number of different habitats. We should be able to…
Find out more »Work Day Event: Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
This is the day for cleaning up the North Farms Road entrance to the FLCA. We'll clear winter debris from the path to the bridge and boardwalk, pick up trash in the parking lot, and remove by hand invasive plants such as garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, and multiflora rose in the adjoining woods. Please help…
Find out more »June 2024
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called "pull early, pull often." In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2021 the yield was down to 100 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable…
Find out more »Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants
Ever wonder what wild edibles and medicinal plants are growing along the trails of the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area? Join Hannah Jacobson-Hardy, community herbalist and founder of Sweet Birch Herbals for a guided walk on Father's Day weekend. Hannah chose this weekend because she grew up in Florence and her father regularly took her for walks…
Find out more »Work Day Event: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
The margins of roads provide excellent habitat for the growth of invasive plants. There are many patches of invasives along Boggy Meadow Road, which connects the old Moose Lodge parking lot at the end of Cooke Avenue with the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will work our way along the road pulling, cutting, and digging invasive…
Find out more »July 2024
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called "pull early, pull often." In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2021 the yield was down to 100 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable…
Find out more »Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called "pull early, pull often." In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2021 the yield was down to 100 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable…
Find out more »August 2024
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called "pull early, pull often." In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2021 the yield was down to 100 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable…
Find out more »September 2024
Bark: Get to Know Your Trees
The traits typically used to describe trees—leaves, twigs, and buds—are often hard to see or seasonally absent. Join Michael for an exploration of bark, which is always visible in any season. As you hone your perceptive abilities you will learn about a system for identifying tree species by their bark, and discover why such a variety of…
Find out more »The Role of Fungi in the Forest Ecosystem
Join mycologist Peter Russell on a foray to look at the fungi fruiting around Fitzgerald Lake. We will use the fungi we find to consider the roles they play in the ecosystem, especially their succession in space and time both on decomposing wood and as mycorrhizal partners with trees. The main purpose of the foray…
Find out more »Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called "pull early, pull often." In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2021 the yield was down to 100 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable…
Find out more »- North Farms Rd. entrance is off Bridge Rd., N. off Mountain St. or N. Maple St. in Florence.
- Cooke Avenue entrance is off Hatfield St., which runs behind the WalMart/Big Y shopping center, to the end of Cooke Avenue (former Moose Lodge). Park only on the right side.
- Coles Meadow Road entrance is on the eastern end of FLCA, about 0.7 miles from North King Street (Routes 5/10). Park carefully on the street.