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February 2020
Winter Woods Walk
Naturalist Molly Hale will lead this walk to explore the ecotone between flooded wetland and adjacent forest, looking for signs of animal activity and winter survival strategies. We’ll walk along Boggy Meadow Rd. to the beaver pond, then head off-trail to follow the contours of the terrain. Be prepared for muddy and/or icy conditions. Proper…
Find out more »Winter Woods Walk
Naturalist Molly Hale will lead this walk to explore the ecotone between flooded wetland and adjacent forest, looking for signs of animal activity and winter survival strategies. We’ll walk along Boggy Meadow Rd. to the beaver pond, then head off-trail to follow the contours of the terrain. Be prepared for muddy and/or icy conditions. Proper…
Find out more »June 2020
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Cancelled: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
This event has been cancelled because of the weather. It will be rescheduled for a later date. 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…
Find out more »Cancelled: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
This event has been cancelled because of the weather. It will be rescheduled for a later date. 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…
Find out more »July 2020
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »August 2020
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Rescheduled)
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Rescheduled)
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »September 2020
Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Rescheduled)
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Rescheduled)
Three 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 in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far,…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Cancelled)
Due your water chestnut pulling efforts at Fitz Lake this summer, we've decided to cancel the pull tentatively scheduled for September 26. Dick Wynne did a thorough survey of the lake earlier this week and was unable to come up with a single rosette! That, together with the fact that we only got 5 lbs…
Find out more »Volunteer: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake (Cancelled)
Due your water chestnut pulling efforts at Fitz Lake this summer, we've decided to cancel the pull tentatively scheduled for September 26. Dick Wynne did a thorough survey of the lake earlier this week and was unable to come up with a single rosette! That, together with the fact that we only got 5 lbs…
Find out more »October 2020
Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road (Rescheduled)
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 »Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road (Rescheduled)
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 »November 2020
Broad Brook Coalition annual meeting
After a brief business meeting, Paul Barten will present the keynote address Adding Two Terms to the IPAT Equation: Effective Individual and Community Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change Dr. Barten is Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass There will be an election of 3 members to the Board of Directors in a…
Find out more »Broad Brook Coalition annual meeting
After a brief business meeting, Paul Barten will present the keynote address Adding Two Terms to the IPAT Equation: Effective Individual and Community Efforts to Mitigate Climate Change Dr. Barten is Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass There will be an election of 3 members to the Board of Directors in a…
Find out more »May 2021
Volunteer: 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 »Volunteer: 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 »Mid-Spring Bird Walk
Laura Beltran, long-time birder and an educator at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, will lead this bird walk along Boggy Meadow Road to the Fitzgerald Lake dam. In early May many boreal migrants are passing through our area, and residents and breeding migrants are establishing territories and beginning to nest. We will look and listen for warblers,…
Find out more »Mid-Spring Bird Walk
Laura Beltran, long-time birder and an educator at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, will lead this bird walk along Boggy Meadow Road to the Fitzgerald Lake dam. In early May many boreal migrants are passing through our area, and residents and breeding migrants are establishing territories and beginning to nest. We will look and listen for warblers,…
Find out more »Spring Understory Walk
Join botanist Connie Parks for a ramble to Fitzgerald Lake on Mother’s Day morning. May is the high season for spring ephemerals, wildflowers that are visible for short times before overstory trees leaf out. Dwarf ginseng, for example, is present above ground for only about 60 days per year. We’ll use a plant list from…
Find out more »Spring Understory Walk
Join botanist Connie Parks for a ramble to Fitzgerald Lake on Mother’s Day morning. May is the high season for spring ephemerals, wildflowers that are visible for short times before overstory trees leaf out. Dwarf ginseng, for example, is present above ground for only about 60 days per year. We’ll use a plant list from…
Find out more »Volunteer: Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
Each year we devote one day in the spring to cleaning up the North Farms Road entrance to the FLCA, including clearing winter debris from the path to the bridge and boardwalk, picking up trash in the parking lot, and removing by hand invasive plants such as garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, and multiflora rose in…
Find out more »Volunteer: Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance
Each year we devote one day in the spring to cleaning up the North Farms Road entrance to the FLCA, including clearing winter debris from the path to the bridge and boardwalk, picking up trash in the parking lot, and removing by hand invasive plants such as garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, and multiflora rose in…
Find out more »June 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 »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 »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 »- 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.