Carol Gay Leaves Board After 25 Years of Service
At its 2014 on May 27th annual meeting, SOLF thanked Carol Gay as she stepped down as a trustee of the Southborough Open Land Foundation after serving on the Board of Trustees for 25 years. During that time she served as the vice-president and the treasurer of SOLF. She also helped with the fundraising in […]
Future Events
SOLF will be sponsoring more events for the summer and fall. Details will be posted as soon as they become available.
Annual Meeting, May 27, 2015, 7:00PM, Southborough Community House
SOLF held its annual meeting on May 27, 2015, at 7:00PM at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough. The speaker was Alexander Dunn from Mass Audubon and Trustees of Reservations discussing “Turkeys in Suburbia and Other Changes in Massachusetts Bird Life.” In addition, the annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award was presented to Representative […]
2015 Elaine Beals Award Presented to Carolyn Dykema
At its annual meeting on May 27, 2015, the Southborough Open Land Foundation presented the eleventh annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award to Representive Carolyn Dykema in recognition of her work on behalf of environmental protection. Ms. Dykema worked as an environmental consultant before becoming involved in local and state politics. She has served in the […]
Wildlife Survey
In March 2014, SOLF began a wildlife survey of reptiles and amphibians at Beals Preserve. The project was originated and is being directed by SOLF member Lawrence Spezzano of Southborough with the generous assistance of wonderful volunteers from Southborough and other communities! SOLF volunteers are continuing to collect evidence, including bird, mammal, insect and plant […]
Wolverines by Rebecca Watters, April 16, 2015
Southborough native Rebecca Watters, an Algonquin Regional High School graduate, shared her experiences doing research, both in the United States and Mongolia, on the elusive wolverine. She was part of a 5 person team on a National Geographic sponsored research project that cross country skied through the remote Darhad region of Mongolia. Her talk explored […]
Wildlife Survey Training Workshop, Monday April 13, 4:00PM
Hello SOLF Wildlife Survey Volunteers! Training Workshop, Monday April 13th at @ 4 PM. The salamanders and frogs are already on the move! We need to get our volunteers trained so you can sign up to fill survey time slots. Training Workshop, Monday April 13th at @ 4 PM, Southborough Library, Meeting Room Lower Level, […]
Problems With Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, March 24, 7PM
On March 24 at 7 PM at at the Southborough Public Library, SOLF is sponsoring a program by Sandra Bonzagni entitled Problems With Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases. Sandra, who has had Lyme disease several times, will have informational materials and answers to questions and concerns about tick borne illnesses.
Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, March 24, 7:00 PM, Southborough Library
Sandra Bonzagni shared her experience with tick-borne diseases by telling about the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Information was also given about other tick-born infections, such as Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis as well as information about personal and property protection from ticks. This program was supported by a grant from the Southborough Community […]
Solf Obtains a Southborough Community Fund Grant
SOLF is pleased to announce that it received a $2500 grant from the Southborough Community Fund. The grant money will be used to continue the wildlife survey begun last year at Beals Preserve and to fund educational programs for the community.
Family Nature Walk at Beals Preserve, Sunday, October 19
Nine happy hikers participated in a Nature Walk, Sunday October 19, at the Beals preserve, led by SOLF trustee Debbie Costine. The weather was cooler than the previous several days but the activity kept us all nice and warm! None had been to the Preserve before so this also served as an orientation. We saw […]
2014 Elaine Beals Award Presented to Elizabeth Meyer
It is a pleasure to announce that the Southborough Open Land Foundation has chosen Elizabeth Meyer as the recipient of the 2014 Elaine Beals Conservation Award. Betty and her husband Bernie have lived in Southborough for 46 years. During that time, in addition to raising four children, Betty has been very active within the community. […]
Fall 2014 Newsletter
Read the Fall 2014 SOLF Newsletter with a review of the Species Project at Beals Preserve, information about the Emerald Ash Borer, saving our birds, and an open position on the SOLF Board of Trustees.
EMS Club Days, October 3 to 5
Take advantage of your SOLF membership at EMS Club Days, October 3 to 5, 2014. Receive a discount on your purchases: 20% off full-priced national brand items and 25% off full-priced EMS brand items with your membership card. If you are an EMS Rewards member, you will also receive double rewards points. Eastern Mountain Sports […]
Visit Our Booth at Heritage Day, October 13
SOLF will have a booth at Southborough’s Heritage Day On Monday October 13 at St. Mark’s field. Stop by and visit with us and find out about our latest activities.
An Update on Other Species Observed at Beals Preserve Wildlife Survey Project
The wildlife survey project currently ongoing at Beals Preserve is focusing primarily on reptiles and amphibians. But a number of other species have been observed by project volunteers. Here is a listing of these observations to July 30, 2014. Thank you volunteers for all the time and effort you have put into this project and […]
Update on Beals Preserve Wildlife Survey Project
In March of this year, SOLF began a wildlife survey of reptiles and amphibians at Beals Preserve. The project was originated and is being directed by SOLF member Lawrence Spezzano of Southborough with the generous assistance of wonderful volunteers from Southborough and other communities! Lawrence reports that after two months of data collection, amphibian […]
Quabbin, A History and Explorers Guide: Watch the Video
SOLF and the Friends of the Southborough Library jointly sponsored a presentation on May 21, 2014, by Michael Tougias, author of Quabbin, A History and Explorers Guide. As you may know, the Quabbin Reservoir is the source of Southborough’s drinking water. Michael gave a narrated slide presentation about the Quabbin Reservoir including a discussion of […]
May 21, 2014, Michael Tougias Speaking on the History and Development of the Quabbin Reservoir
Did you ever wonder where Southborough gets its wonderful drinking water? Join us on May 21, 2014, when SOLF and the Friends of the Southborough Library jointly sponsor a presentation by Michael Tougias, author of Quabbin, A History and Explorers Guide. Michael has written many books about outdoor activities and the history of New England. […]
Bird Walk With Jeff Collins, Saturday May 17, 2014
Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain, the bird walk had to be cancelled and we are not able to reschedule for this spring. Hopefully next year will produce a more opportune day. On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Southborough Open Land Foundation will take part in Mass Audubon’s annual “Bird-a-thon” with a bird walk led […]
Turtle with abscessed ear
The SOLF Wildlife Survey project encountered a female Eastern Painted turtle with an ear abscess near the pond at the Beals Preserve on May 11. The images show it being treated by Dr. Greg Mertz at the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth.
Are you interested in salamanders?
If you are interested in salamanders and more information about them, here is a link to the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
Checking the Turtle Trap at Beals Preserve Ice Pond, May 11
The images below show volunteers checking the turtle trap at the ice pond at Beals Preserve on May 11. Three painted turtles, a crayfish, several bull frog tadpoles, and some shiners were found. After being documented, they were returned to the ice pond.
History of Wildlife Conservation and Recovery in Massachusetts
The 2014 Annual Meeting of SOLF featured a presentation by Dr. Thomas French from Massachusetts Fish and Widlife on the History of Wildlife Conservation and Recovery in Massachusetts. In this presentation, Dr. French discussed the overabundance of wildlife encountered by our earliest settlers to the subsequent endangerment of many species because of the loss of […]
Annual Meeting, May 7, 2014
The Annual Meeting of SOLF featuring a presentation by Dr. Thomas French from Massachusetts Fish and Widlife was held May 7, 2014 at the Southborough Community House. Dr. French, Assistant Director for the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Natural Heritage Program spoke on the History of Wildlife Conservation and Recovery in Massachusetts, from the […]
Join Us For Our Annual Meeting, May 7, at 7:00 pm, Southborough Community House
Please join us for our annual meeting featuring a presentation by Dr. Thomas French, from Massachusetts Fish and Widlife. Dr. French serves as the Assistant Director for the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Natural Heritage Program. The DFG program was created in 1983 with the goal of protecting and conserving the hundreds of rare […]
Wildlife Survey Project Installation at 8:30 AM, Saturday March 29. Volunteers Needed
The setup for the Beals Preserve reptile and amphibian survey project will be Saturday, March 29, at 8:30 AM. Meet at the end of Hickory Road. Wear waterproof shoes and bring a shovel if possible. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, email Freddie Gillespie.
Beals Preserve Wildlife Survey Project Training
The training session for volunteers participating the the Beals Preserve Wildlife Survey Project is currently being offered on two dates. Volunteers participating in the project are required to attend one of the sessions. Session 1: Sunday March 30, 1:00 PM. Meet at the end of Red Gate Lane. Session 2: Thursday, April 3, 4:00 PM. […]
2014 Wildlife Census Project at Beals Preserve
SOLF is planning an exciting new multiyear census of the wildlife inhabiting our open spaces. Beginning in spring 2014, SOLF will begin a census of the amphibians and reptiles that inhabit Beals Preserve. Currently, little is known about the density of these species on Beals Preserve. Our objective is to measure the species composition […]
More Information on Volunteering to Help for Our Wildlife Survey at Beals Preserve
Beginning March 29, we will place observation sites at regular intervals at a pond edge and meadow to provide a sample of amphibians and reptiles that live on Beals Preserve. Because amphibians and reptiles use their habitats in different ways and can be active both day and night, we are calling on volunteers to help […]
Volunteer to Help in Our Wildlife Survey at Beals Preserve
Starting on March 30, we began to assess what wildlife inhabits the Beals Preserve. We are focusing our attention on New England “herps” (reptiles and amphibians)! There are almost 50 species of turtles, snakes, frogs, toads and salamanders with documented ranges that include Massachusetts and little is known about which are found in Beals Preserve. Many […]
May 7, 2014. SOLF Annual Meeting at the Southborough Community House, 7:00PM
The annual meeting of SOLF will feature a presentation by Dr. Thomas French, from Massachusetts Fish and Widlife. Dr. French serves as the Assistant Director for the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Natural Heritage Program. The DFG program was created in 1983 with the goal of protecting and conserving the hundreds of rare and […]
Can Recycling, December 11, 2013
SOLF trustees emptied and bagged the bottle recycling bin at the Southborough Transfer Station on December 11, 2013. Money raised from the recycled bottles aids SOLF in its stewardship and educational activities. Thank you Acacia Warren, Carol Gay, Bill Sines, Hal Kiess, Bill Hohenberger, Amy Kassatly, Sally Watters, and Dick Dinjian for braving the cold […]
Become a SOLF Volunteer
There are always projects to be done on our properties, such as maintaining and improving trails, and controlling invasive plant species. SOLF relies heavily on volunteers to help us with these tasks. Additionally, we will soon begin a project enumerating some of the wildlife at Beals Preserve. This project, too, will require volunteer help beyond […]
Our 25th Anniversary Celebration
On a glorious Sunday afternoon, September 15, 2013, several hundred people came to Beals Preserve to help SOLF celebrate its 25th anniversary. With generous sponsorship from Middlesex Savings Bank Charles F. Choate Fund Digital Federal Credit Union DCU Plourde Family Charitable Trust, visitors enjoyed walking the trails of Beals Preserve and the Art on […]
Thank You to all Who Helped Our Celebration
SOLF owes a tremendous thank you to all those who helped to make our 25th Anniversary Celebration on September 15 such a success. First a big thank you to the Beals family for donating the land that provides such a wonderful venue for events such as this. Among the Members of the Board of Trustees […]
25th Anniversary Activities Schedule
Activities Schedule Southborough Open Land Foundation 25th Anniversary, September 15 1:00 to 5:00, Beals Preserve Blackstone Valley Bluegrass: 1:15 to 2:00 (near the kiosk) Walk with Nature Artist/Author Gordon Morrison 1:30 to 2:15: Meet near Mr. Morrison’s display in the Main Lane Animal Adventures 2:15 to 3:15 (in the parking field near entrance) […]
Fundraising Night at Romaine’s Wood Grill and Bar, Tuesday, November 12
SOLF is having a fundraising night at Romaine’s Wood Grill and Bar, 299 West Main Street, Northborough, MA., Tuesday, November 12, from 5 to 9 PM. Make your reservations for meeting family or friends. Tell your server that you are there for SOLF and SOLF will receive 15% of receipts for your meal. Enjoy! Thank you for […]
Some Images from Beals Preserve
25th Anniversary Sponsors
SOLF gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of our 25 anniversary celebration by the following organizations. Middlesex Savings Bank Charles F. Choate Fund Digital Federal Credit Union DCU Plourde Family Charitable Trust
Silent Auction at 25th Anniversary Celebration
SOLF will have a silent auction at its 25th anniversary celebration on September 15th at Beals Preserve from 1 to 5PM. We have both gift certificates from local businesses and contributions from local residents. The gift certificates are from the following businesses. Art and Frame Emporium Arturo’s Ristorante Candy’s Beauty Salon Cheng Du Restaurant Children’s […]
Call for Art on the Trails
As part of its 25th Anniversary Celebration at Beals Preserve on Sunday, September 15th, SOLF is calling for installations for Art on the Trails. The activity is open to any individuals or groups who wish to install art that celebrates nature and its natural environment. Full details are available in the downloadable prospectus Call for […]
Butterfly Walk, July 13, 2013
SOLF sponsored a butterfly walk on July 13 at 10:00 AM at Beals Preserve led by Stephen Moore and Barbara Vokle from the Massachusetts Butterfly Club. Unfortunately, it began to rain shortly before the walk was to begin, and butterflies are sun loving. But the group of 15 attendees walked the trails of Beals Preserve […]
Award Given to Sally Watters
At the SOLF Board of Trustees meeting of June 18, 2013, Sally Watters finished her term as Southborough Open Land Foundation (“SOLF”) president, which she held since 2007. The highlight of Sally’s term was that of SOLF receiving a 56-acre parcel of land in 2008 from Elaine and the late Phil Beals, longtime Southborough residents […]
The Pollinator Garden
On June 4, 2013, SOLF sponsored Kim Smith, author, illustrator, and designer of Kim Smith Designs, who presented a stunning slide show and informative lecture, The Pollinator Garden. We also saw a video called BomBom Butterfly which demonstrates the life cycle of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. You can read more about Kim Smith and this […]
Bird Walk with Jeff Collins, May 18th
A group of early risers joined Massachusetts Audubon’s Jeff Collins at Beals Preserve to learn about birds in the Southborough area. The birds seemed a little elusive this year, and many did not want to readily show their faces. But many in the group were surprised by the large variety of birds at Beals Preserve, […]
Bird Walk with Jeff Collins
A group of early risers joined Massachusetts Audubon’s Jeff Collins at Beals Preserve on May 18, 2013, to learn about birds in the Southborough area. In comparison to previous walks, we saw fewer species because a spring weather pattern shifted migration to this Midwest this year. Nevertheless, a variety of species were observed including a […]
2013 Annual Meeting
The 2013 annual meeting SOLF on May 7 featured a presentation on co-existing with coyotes by John Maguranis, the Animal Control Officer for the Town of Belmont, and the Massachusetts representative to Project Coyote. The meeting also featured the presentation of the annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award to Southborough resident Rhonda Russian for her 22 […]
2013 Elaine Beals Award Presented to Rhonda Russian
The Elaine Beals Conservation Award was presented to Rhonda Russian at the annual meeting of SOLF on May 7, 2013. The award was given to Rhonda for her 22 years of service on the Southborough Conservation Commission and her work as an attorney for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. State Representative Carolyn Dykema also […]
Earth Day 2013 Cleanup
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Earth Day Clean Up and the Beals Preserve Invasive Plant attack today. Thanks to your efforts the area along Rte 85 from Templman Woods down to Richards Rd. looks much nicer. Let’s hope our attack on invasive plants at Beals Preserve will help stop their spread. […]
Annual Meeting, May 7, 7PM, Community House
Join us for our annual meeting at 7PM on May 7 at the Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough. Our speaker for the evening will be John Maguranis, the Town of Belmont Animal Control Officer, who will give a presentation on coyotes and how we can best coexist with these animals. We will also present […]
SOLF Annual Meeting, May 7
Join us for our annual meeting at 7PM on May 7 at the Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough. Our speaker for the evening will be John Maguranis, the Town of Belmont Animal Control Officer, who will give a presentation on coyotes and how we can best coexist with these animals. We will also present […]
25th Anniversary Celebration – Celebrating Nature, September 15, 2013
SOLF is celebrating its 25th year of existence in 2013. To mark this event, we are planning a celebration at Beals Preserve on Sunday, September 15 from 1 to 5 PM, rain or shine. Music will be provided by the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass band. We will also have children’s activities, nature-related activities, a silent auction, […]
Animal Tracking, February 23, 2013
Animal tracking expert David Brown led a group at Beals Preserve to identify animal tracks in the snow. Evidence was found of coyotes, cottontail rabbits, gray squirrels, raccoon, mink,fishers, and other animals. The pictures below show David Brown and the group participants. David Brown has shared with us his The Companion Guide to Trackards […]
Snowshoe Clinic Cancelled
The snowshoe clinic at Beals Preserve sponsored by SOLF and Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) that was scheduled February 9th from 10 AM to noon has been cancelled due to potentially dangerous conditions. If we are able to re-schedule the clinic, we will post the information as soon as possible.
Snowshoe Clinic, Jan. 26
SOLF and Eastern Mountain Sports are sponsoring a snow shoe clinic at Beals Preserve on Saturday, January 26th from 10 AM til noon. Snow shoes and instruction are provided by EMS. The cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited. Reserve a spot by Monday, January 21st by contacting info@solf.org with the names of […]
Heritage Day
Thank you to all who stopped by to visit our booth and buy note cards on Heritage Day, October 8. If you joined our email list, watch for an announcement of a walk at Beals Preserve in the next few weeks. If you are not on our email list and would like to receive emails […]
Heritage Day, Monday October 8
Please visit us on Heritage Day, Monday, October 8 on St. Mark’s field from 9:30AM to 3:00PM. We will have some beautiful notecards of our properties. The images are ones taken by SOLF trustees. Come by and chat, buy a few cards and get a SOLF brochure.
Jason El Massih Eagle Scout Project
Boy Scout Troop 92 Eagle Scout candidate Jason El Massih and scouts from Troop 92 worked at Beals Preserve on September 8, 2012 installing gates to limit access to the ongoing Wildlife Habitation Improvement Project. Thank you Jason and scouts from Troop 92.
25 Years
Welcome to our newly updated website. We hope this site will be easier for you to use and for us to update and provide information about the activities we plan. Our heartfelt thanks to Southborough resident Tim Ellis for his creativity and work in designing this site and making it operational. In 2013, SOLF will […]
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Butterfly Walk with Steve Moore and Barbara Volkle
On July 15, 2012, Steve Moore, president of the Mass Buttefly Club and Barbara Volkle led a walk to observe the myriad butterflies at Beals Preserve.
Edible Plant Walk
June 12, 2012 Edible plant expert Russ Cohen led a tour of the edible plants found on Beals Preserve
Walking History Tour of Beals Preserve
Whitney Beals led a walking history tour of Beals Preserve on June 10, 2012. Whit talked about the history of the Beals Preserve property from the time that his family moved to Southboro in 1950, the dairy herd that used to graze there, the ice pond, the MDC police, and other memories about how the […]
2012 Elaine Beals Conservation Award Presented to Meme Luttrell
May 29, 2012 SOLF has chosen Meme Luttrell as the very deserving recipient of 2012 Elaine Beals Conservation Award. Meme has been on the Southborough Open Space Preservation Commission for over 10 years, serving as chairman for much of the time. During her tenure, the Commission has fought hard to preserve as much open space […]
Big Night For Salamanders, March 21, 2012.
On March 21, 2012, SOLF presented Award winning author Sarah Marwil Lamstein with a moving story of a boy takeing charge to help his beloved salamanders. Evan can hardly wait for Big Night. During the first warm night rain of spring, Big Night spotted salamanders by the hundreds crawl out of the woods and down […]
New Trail Signs at Beals Preserve, September 2011
The trustees of SOLF thank Eagle Scout candidate Sam Distefano and the members of Southborough Boy Scout Troop 92 for their wonderful work providing signage for the trails at Beals Preserve!
2011 Elaine Beals Conservation Award Presented to Richard V. Upjohn
SOLF has chosen Richard V. Upjohn to receive the Elaine Beals Conservation Award for 2011. Dick, who grew up in New York City, developed a love of the outdoors at his family’s summer place in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. His passion for hiking, birding, and mountain climbing was honed at a summer camp […]
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program at Beals Preserve
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) was selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). The Natural Resources Conservation Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers the program. The aim of the project is to remove invasive plants and to improve wildlife habitat for at-risk […]
Scout Troop 92 Participates in Service Project at Beal’s Preserve
Working with the Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF), Boy Scouts from Southborough Troop 92 performed a service project at the Beals Preserve. Over the years, there has been an accumulating pile of illegally dumped yard waste (leaves, brush and grass clippings) at the Red Gate Lane entrance to the Beals Preserve. The Scouts worked hard […]
Oak Grove Painters
Arts Center at Southborough 21 Highland Street, Southborough Co-sponsored by the Arts Center at Southborough and the Southborough Open Land Foundation The Oak Grove Painters – a group from the Greater Boston area, have been painting regularly at Chestnut Hill Farm for several years. This show, featuring one of Southborough’s most treasured landscapes, will be […]
