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A Wildlife Search at FLCA
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesJoin wildlife ecologist and author of “America is Wild!” Brad Timm as we take a leisurely stroll looking and listening for a wide diversity of animals that live in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. We’ll look under logs for salamanders and other critters, keep our ears and eyes peeled for birds all around us, keep
Spring Bird Walk
Marian Street Entrance to FLCA 88 Marian Street, Northampton, MA, United StatesLesley Farlow and Steve Winn, experienced birders and members of the Hampshire Bird Club, will lead a bird walk along the Marian St. Trail to the bird blind, along the Boggy Meadow and Pines Edge Trails for a total of about 2 miles. We will look for breeding migrants and resident birds as we pass through
Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesThis 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
Pyrophilous (Fire-loving) Fungi Walk
Marian Street Entrance to FLCA 88 Marian Street, Northampton, MA, United StatesPeter Russell and Karen Hidalgo from the Pioneer Valley Mycological Association will lead this program focusing on fungi that thrive in burned-over landscapes. We will meet at 1:30 at Laurel Park’s Normal Hall for a talk on fire-loving fungi followed by a walk at 3:00 to the site of the 2024 brush fire near the
Spring Nature Walk
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesRich 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
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.
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 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Learn Your Ferns
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesEver wonder if you might be susceptible to fernophilia? Join Randy Stone of the Pioneer Valley Fern Society for a walk through the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, finding common ferns and club mosses of our area. Learn the key features for easy identification of our “top 10” native ferns and maybe some uncommon ones too.
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 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
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 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
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 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Late Summer Wildflowers
Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United StatesHike through cool forest to Fitzgerald Lake, and explore the meadows at the dam and in Cooke’s Pasture. Identification and interpretation of summer flora and preview of fall asters and goldenrods will be provided. Bring a hand lens and field guide if you have them, but we will have others to share. We will be walking
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 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
The Fungi of Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesJoin Peter Russell of the Pioneer Valley Mycological Association for another in his walks examining the fungi found in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. This walk will consider the natural history of the fungi that grow in the FLCA, in particular their different types of feeding strategies and substrates, and their associations with the different
- 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.