Trained docents at Heald Pond, Sabbatus Mt. and Sucker Brook Preserve and other specified locations lead our free walks. See our schedule for details. No advance sign up is necessary. Docents guide visitors on trails and point out important features, identify plants, animal sign, and help participants to read the forested landscape. Be prepared to walk on unimproved trials that are sometimes wet. Bring appropriate clothing, bug spray and walking shoes to deal with all weather. Pets are not invited. Please park carefully to avoid obstructions of fire services and roadways. Car pooling is encouraged.
All walks are in the mornings.
The Heald Pond and Flat Hill walks take place at the Heald and Bradley Preserve. From Lovell drive north on Rt. 5. Turn right on Slab City Road and proceed a short distance over a bridge to a parking area on your left past the launching area.
The Sabbatus Mt. walks use the popular state owned hiking area off Sabbatus Mt. Road. From Lovell drive north on Rt. 5 and turn right on Sabbatus Mr. Road. Follow the read bearing right at the fork on a d direct road to a parking lot on the right where a docent will meet you.
The Sucker Brook walks use the Sucker Brook Preserve off Horseshoe Pond Road. From Lovell drive north on Rt. 5 to the West Lovell Road on your left. Proceed over the bridge to Foxboro Road, bear left at the fork. Drive about two miles to Horseshoe Pond Road on your right. Proceed down this dirt road a short distance to the Horseshoe Pond parking area.
July 5, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Active walk
meet at Heald Pond to carpool to site
A hike up along Great Brook to view some interesting stone walls, cellar holes, and remnants of times past.
July 12, 2007 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
family walk
Heald Pond (off Slab City Road)
A walk especially designed for school age children to explore the world of forest floor critters.
July 14, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
active walk
Sucker Brook Preserve off Horseshoe Pond Rd.
We will focus on the bear activity in this area and examine a bear tree, a bear's skull, and bear feeding activity. If we are lucky, we might find a bear track or some scat.
July 19, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
strenuous walk
Kezar River Tract across from Wicked Good Store
Come and walk our 100 acre tract of land that borders the Kezar River. We will walk on old roads, bushwhack through the forest and climb up and down several steep ravines to examine what a newly cut forest does for wildlife.
July 21, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
walk
Heald Pond (off Slab City Road)
A walk to focus on Tom Wessel's ideas in his book Reading the Forested Landscape
July 26, 2007 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
gentle walk
Heald Pond (off Slab City Road)
We will look for medicinal and edible plants along the roadsides and in the Heald Pond area.
August 9, 2007 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
gentle walk
Stockford Reserve (off Ladies Delight Road)
We will focus on wildflowers and the forest management of this reserve as we walk to the top of a small hill to enjoy the view.
August 16, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
active walk
Heald Pond (off Slab City Road)
A walk to the summit of Flat Hill to explore the woodlands and look for plants and animal sign of particular interest.
August 23, 2007 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
gentle walk
Meet at Library to car pool to site
A special walk on private land to examine what a well managed forest looks like and to look at mushrooms. A mostly flat walk along level trails in an interesting area.
August 30, 2007 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
active walk
Heald Pond (off Slab City Road)
A walk up Whiting Hill to have a look at British Soldiers and other non-flowering plants.