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June 2021
Learn Your Ferns
Ever 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.…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
The margins of roads provide excellent habitat for the growth of invasive plants. We have surveyed and located many patches of invasives along Boggy Meadow Road, which connects the former Moose Lodge parking lot at the end of Cooke Avenue with the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will work our way along the road, removing invasive…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
The margins of roads provide excellent habitat for the growth of invasive plants. We have surveyed and located many patches of invasives along Boggy Meadow Road, which connects the former Moose Lodge parking lot at the end of Cooke Avenue with the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will work our way along the road, removing invasive…
Find out more »July 2021
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »August 2021
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »September 2021
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Four 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 but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and even less in 2019 and 2020. Though we are pleased with the results so…
Find out more »Trees and shrubs of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
Is it a red oak or a white oak, an eastern hemlock or a white pine, a shag bark hickory or a yellow birch ? We promise you'll have a better idea of which is which when the morning's done. We'll meet at the N. Farms parking lot and follow the main trail to the…
Find out more »Trees and shrubs of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
Is it a red oak or a white oak, an eastern hemlock or a white pine, a shag bark hickory or a yellow birch ? We promise you'll have a better idea of which is which when the morning's done. We'll meet at the N. Farms parking lot and follow the main trail to the…
Find out more »October 2021
Mammals of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
Learn about the wide diversity of mammals that live throughout the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in this morning hike. Join wildlife biologist Brad Timm, as we walk and visit some of the varied natural habitats that are important for different mammal species at FLCA and learn about the fascinating life histories of these animals. We’ll…
Find out more »Mammals of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
Learn about the wide diversity of mammals that live throughout the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in this morning hike. Join wildlife biologist Brad Timm, as we walk and visit some of the varied natural habitats that are important for different mammal species at FLCA and learn about the fascinating life histories of these animals. We’ll…
Find out more »May 2022
Volunteer – Cooke’s Pasture Workday
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, replace plants that have not survived the winter, and carry out other tasks as necessary. Tools will be provided,…
Find out more »Volunteer – Cooke’s Pasture Workday
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, replace plants that have not survived the winter, and carry out other tasks as necessary. Tools will be provided,…
Find out more »Vernal Pool Ecology with Brad Timm
Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area is fortunate to contain several confirmed vernal pools just a short walk in from the North Farms Rd. entrance. Join biologist Brad Timm as we visit these pools and discover their truly unique ecology. We’ll learn about the wide variety of animals that rely on vernal pools for their existence –…
Find out more »Vernal Pool Ecology with Brad Timm
Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area is fortunate to contain several confirmed vernal pools just a short walk in from the North Farms Rd. entrance. Join biologist Brad Timm as we visit these pools and discover their truly unique ecology. We’ll learn about the wide variety of animals that rely on vernal pools for their existence –…
Find out more »Spring Bird Walk with Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn
Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn, experienced birders and members of the Hampshire Bird Club, will lead a bird walk along Boggy Meadow Rd. to the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will look for breeding migrants and resident birds as we pass through a number of different habitats. We should be able to see and hear some…
Find out more »Spring Bird Walk with Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn
Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn, experienced birders and members of the Hampshire Bird Club, will lead a bird walk along Boggy Meadow Rd. to the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will look for breeding migrants and resident birds as we pass through a number of different habitats. We should be able to see and hear some…
Find out more »Rescheduled — Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
Due to the extreme heat forecast for the original date of 5/21/2022, this work day has been rescheduled to a week later on 5/28/2022. It is still from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Each year we devote one day in the spring to cleaning up the North Farms Road entrance to the FLCA including clearing…
Find out more »Rescheduled — Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
Due to the extreme heat forecast for the original date of 5/21/2022, this work day has been rescheduled to a week later on 5/28/2022. It is still from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Each year we devote one day in the spring to cleaning up the North Farms Road entrance to the FLCA including clearing…
Find out more »June 2022
Beavers at Sundown with Laura Beltran
Discover the natural history of beavers, how they alter the landscape and provide habitat for other wildlife on this walk at Fitzgerald Lake. Evening is the ideal time to observe beavers, and if we’re lucky, we’ll see them and maybe get slapped at. We’ll meet at the Cooke Ave. entrance (next to the Moose Lodge)…
Find out more »Beavers at Sundown with Laura Beltran
Discover the natural history of beavers, how they alter the landscape and provide habitat for other wildlife on this walk at Fitzgerald Lake. Evening is the ideal time to observe beavers, and if we’re lucky, we’ll see them and maybe get slapped at. We’ll meet at the Cooke Ave. entrance (next to the Moose Lodge)…
Find out more »Late Spring Wildflowers with Janet Bissell
Join Janet Bissell for a walk to look for late spring ephemeral wildflowers and other flora. We'll discuss the natural history, folklore, and identification of these wonderful forest plants. We'll also discuss the identification of invasive species and the impact they have on biodiversity as well as the impacts climate change could have on our…
Find out more »Late Spring Wildflowers with Janet Bissell
Join Janet Bissell for a walk to look for late spring ephemeral wildflowers and other flora. We'll discuss the natural history, folklore, and identification of these wonderful forest plants. We'll also discuss the identification of invasive species and the impact they have on biodiversity as well as the impacts climate change could have on our…
Find out more »Volunteer – 1st Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Five 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, viable water chestnut seed can persist…
Find out more »Volunteer – 1st Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Five 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, viable water chestnut seed can persist…
Find out more »Volunteer – Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
The margins of roads provide excellent habitat for the growth of invasive plants. We have surveyed and located many patches of invasives along Boggy Meadow Road, which connects the former Moose Lodge parking lot at the end of Cooke Avenue with the Fitzgerald Lake dam. We will work our way along the road, removing invasive…
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.