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Trees and shrubs of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Trees and shrubs of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Mammals of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Mammals of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – Cooke’s Pasture Workday

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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,

Volunteer – Cooke’s Pasture Workday

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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,

Vernal Pool Ecology with Brad Timm

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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 –

Vernal Pool Ecology with Brad Timm

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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 –

Spring Bird Walk with Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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

Spring Bird Walk with Lesley Farlow and Steve Winn

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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

Rescheduled — Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Rescheduled — Annual Cleanup at the North Farms Road Entrance

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Beavers at Sundown with Laura Beltran

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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)

Beavers at Sundown with Laura Beltran

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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)

Late Spring Wildflowers with Janet Bissell

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Late Spring Wildflowers with Janet Bissell

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 1st Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 1st Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – Removal of Invasives on Boggy Meadow Road

Cooke Avenue Entrance to FLCA (former Moose Lodge) 196 Cooke Avenue, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 2nd Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 2nd Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 3rd Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 3rd Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 4th Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 4th Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 5th Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Volunteer – 5th Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

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

Mushrooms in the Woodland Ecosystem with Peter Russell

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

Mushrooms are an essential component of our Woodland ecosystems, yet much of their taxonomy and diversity remains undescribed even in sites such as Fitzgerald Lake.  A lot of such recording is nowadays performed by citizen scientists and amateurs.  Take a walk in the woods to learn about this diversity, how to recognize some of the major

Mushrooms in the Woodland Ecosystem with Peter Russell

North Farms Road entrance to FLCA 61 North Farms Road, northampton, MA, United States

Mushrooms are an essential component of our Woodland ecosystems, yet much of their taxonomy and diversity remains undescribed even in sites such as Fitzgerald Lake.  A lot of such recording is nowadays performed by citizen scientists and amateurs.  Take a walk in the woods to learn about this diversity, how to recognize some of the major

  • 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.