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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.
Walk & Talk: Vernal Pool Ecology
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesLocation: North Farms Road entrance 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
Work Day Event: 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
Walk & Talk: Spring Bird Walk
Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United StatesLocation: Cooke Ave. Entrance 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
Walk & Talk: Fire in the Woodland Ecosystem
Location: Coles Meadow Rd. entrance Come and join Laurie Sanders as we explore a portion of the 50+ acres of the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area that experienced a brush fire in November 2024 to see first-hand how the herbaceous layer is recovering. How damaging are brush fires of this size and intensity? What are the
Walk & Talk: Fire in the Woodland Ecosystem
Location: Coles Meadow Rd. entrance Come and join Laurie Sanders as we explore a portion of the 50+ acres of the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area that experienced a brush fire in November 2024 to see first-hand how the herbaceous layer is recovering. How damaging are brush fires of this size and intensity? What are the
Walk & Talk: What’s Up with Invasive Plants?
Location: Arcanum Field Parking Lot, Florence (carpool to site) Managing invasive plants can at times be. . . well. . . depressing. On this walk led by Tom Annese, we’ll take a more light-hearted approach to invasive plant management and focus on practical measures to control invasive species and increase biodiversity on forest land. We’ll
Work Day Event: Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road
Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United StatesThe 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
Walk & Talk: Introduction to Geocaching
Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United StatesLocation: Cooke Ave. entrance Join our board member Ceci Flinn to learn about the family-friendly international game of geocaching. A great outdoor activity for all ages, Ceci will introduce you to this popular game that turned 25 this year and can be played in the FLCA. Open to all ages, it's a great summer activity
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesSeveral 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 2024 the yield was down to 90 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesSeveral 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 2024 the yield was down to 90 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesSeveral 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 2024 the yield was down to 90 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesSeveral 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 2024 the yield was down to 90 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
Work Day Event: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake
North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United StatesSeveral 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 2024 the yield was down to 90 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable
- 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.