Southboro Open Land Foundation

Author Archives: Eileen Samberg

SOLF Spring Clean-up Has Begun

On Saturday, April 2, trustees Eileen Samberg, Lawrence Spezzano, and I met up with SOLF volunteer Brett Peters to begin what we plan to be weekly sessions of trail work and invasive plant clean-up at our properties, starting at The Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve. SOLF president Whitney Beals came by to give his thoughts on possible priority areas, like the old farm lane through the middle of the preserve for starters. There are some native shrubs we will save and feature: especially high bush blueberry, elderberry and silky dogwood.

We accomplished an impressive amount of clearing in the vicinity of the kiosk. (see before and after photos) Once we started, it was hard to stop — digging in to the oriental bittersweet, japanese honeysuckle, and very thorny Multiflora rose. Eileen had appeared first thing with new information beautifully designed and laminated to put in the kiosk. She had replaced the plexiglass in the doors previously after discovering some “projectile” holes of some sort.

We found our new volunteer Brett to be enthusiastic energetic and amiable, ready to dive into physical work as a break from sitting long hours at his desk.

The prior Saturday, new volunteer Meghan Ackley, (also energetic and enthusiastic), Eileen, and I tackled some of the nasty and highly invasive Japanese barberry encroaching the trail further up on the old farm lane.

It is truly heart-warming to see this progress! We are looking forward to continued productive Saturday mornings!

Next session: Saturday, April 9, 10:00 am meeting at the kiosk. We welcome help! Please email us at info@solf.org if you are interested in helping to maintain our signature property for everyone’s enjoyment. Bring sturdy gloves, loppers etc. (cancelled in the event of rain).

Debbie Costine SOLF Vice President

Before

Before

Stewardship & STC “Scoop the Poop” Education Campaign

SOLF supports the Stewardship and Trails Committees’ Scoop the Poop campaign to protect our conservation lands, our trails, our wildlife habitat, our water, and to keep Southborough clean and beautiful. Over the coming weeks they will be posting information to promote awareness about the importance of picking up dog waste and where dog walking is not permitted. Please watch the link below to learn about the best practices for managing dog waste and the danger of improper disposal: h ttps://bit.ly/3IM5CqX . This initiative is funded by a 2021 Choate Fund Grant. #Soboscoopsthepoop

Art on the Trails 2022: June 13 to September 11

The Southborough Open Land Foundation, in collaboration with Southborough Artist Catherine Weber, is pleased to present the 2022 Art On the Trails, with the theme: EXPOSURE. The exhibition will be installed from June 13 to September 11, 2022 at Beals Preserve. With the generous support again this year from Southborough Community Fund and the Southborough Cultural Arts Council, all accepted artists will again receive $100 stipends. Link to a map of the installations.

Platform at Bigelow Wildlife Refuge

SOLF was the beneficiary of Robby Stewart’s hard work and skills as he finished his Eagle Scout project in the spring of 2021. After presenting his project several times to the Southborough Conservation Commission to get approval, he organized his troop to build a viewing platform at SOLF’s Bigelow Wildlife Refuge. The troop also removed many invasive plants to clear the way for the path to the platform. Viewers can now look out over a large wetland area to watch birds and other wildlife. Many thanks to Robby and Boy Scout Troop 1 for their hard work.

Platform at Bigelow Wildlife Refuge

Art on the Trails: Details

Southborough Open Land Foundation and Art on the Trails Program Director Catherine Weber are pleased to announce the call for art for the 6th annual juried exhibition, this year themed Art on the Trails: EXPOSURE. The exhibition will be juried by sculptor Anne Alexander. The exhibition will be installed from June 13 to September 11, 2022 at Beals Preserve.

With the generous support again this year from Southborough Community Fund and the Southborough Cultural Arts Council, all accepted artists will again receive $100 stipends. This year, along with a juror prize, there will be a popular prize, voted on by visitors to the show. The call for art opens on March 4 and closes on April 14. Learn more about the guidelines and the juror by visiting artonthetrails.com.

SOLF Seeks Part-Time Admin

The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1988 to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources in the Town of Southborough. Our goal is to maintain and improve the quality of life for the benefit of present and future generations of Southborough’s residents and visitors. SOLF is searching for an experienced, reliable, and task-oriented part-time Administrative Assistant, who is passionate about nature and land conservation. The Administrative Assistant will work directly with the Board of Trustees and will be responsible for performing a number of administrative duties that will provide critical support for our goals.

The position requires attendance at monthly meetings, otherwise remote and flexible. Expected commitment of 4-5 hours per week with potential for additional hours as needed. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and a minimum of three references to application@solf.org by March 15, 2022.

Details can be found here:

Bigelow Wildlife Refuge

Bigelow Wildlife Refuge, on Bigelow Road, features a beautiful wetland swamp and woodland that can be explored along a 300-foot gravel path to a viewing platform.

Link to the Bigelow Wildlife Refuge page.

Lisa Braccio Receives 2021 Elaine Beals Award

SOLF is very pleased to have this opportunity to present the 2021 Elaine Beals Conservation Award to Lisa Braccio. For a long time Lisa has worked hard at giving back to the town and the region. To be very honest, several of us thought we had given this award to Lisa years ago and were surprised in checking our records to discover she had somehow been overlooked. We all know Lisa today as a member of the town select board, but she got her start in town politics on the Open Space Preservation Commission because of her dedication to protecting open space and the environment. She worked on helping with the preservation of Chestnut Hill Farm and the Golf Course. In 2017, she was first elected to the select board where she continues to serve. She was recently chosen as the Worcester District Representative on the Massachusetts Select Board Association, representing the select boards of 55 towns in the county. In addition, Lisa serves on the town Master Plan Committee and the Capital Planning Committee. She, along with Debbie Wilson, spearheaded several troop drives to send care packages to members of the American armed forces deployed to combat areas. And while doing all these things she has helped her husband Matt run his business, Perhaps her most important role has been raising their son Robert. Lisa is definitely like the energizer bunny.

We are very happy to present her with the 2021 Elaine Beals Conservation Award.

Kathryn McKee Receives 2020 Elaine Beals Award

Kat McKee is the Chair of the Town of Southborough Trails Committee. After moving to town in 2012, she joined the Stewardship Committee as well as Southborough Trails. As an avid hiker living near the Town Forest, she plunged into clearing trails after a microburst brought down many trees. She also worked with the Stewardship Committee and Recreation Dept to get the trails fully cleared.

In talking with Kat, a common thread is how reaching out and collaborating with other groups is often the best way to get things done. An astonishing collaboration is the tremendous progress made on the BLT: the Borough’s Loop Trail: 33 miles of trails that will connect Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough, and Northborough with a hiking loop. The concept began in 2012 and with ongoing strong leadership and passion, Kat has helped keep the momentum going. More trails in more areas improves the quality of life for the people of Southborough.

Beth Rosenblum Receives 2019 Elaine Beals Award

Beth Rosenblum was the Conservation Agent for the town of Southborough for over 13 years – now retired. Her door at the Town House was always open for anyone seeking information about conservation issues and open space. She was always eager to help. Her involvement in her home town of Ashland as Chair of its Open Space and Recreation Committee and the Community Preservation Committee brought tremendous knowledge to her job here in Southborough.

Beth consistently worked well with and collaborated with the Open Space Preservation Commission and the Southborough Open Land Foundation. She oversaw the Conservation Restriction process for Chestnut Hill Farm and collaborated with the stewardship committee on the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land Management Plan. Just to name a few…

Upon her retirement she received recognition on local, regional and state levels! She was a most knowledgeable, helpful and valuable town employee! We are happy to present this year’s Elaine Beals Conservation Award to Beth Rosenblum.

Award is a bird carving by Ben Keyes of Southborough
at the L’Abri Christian study center on Lynbrook Rd.

Templeman-Watkins Loop Trail

Link to the Templeman Woods page and Templeman-Watkins Loop Trail.

The joint Templeman Woods and Watkins Woods Conservation Land properties comprise 18 contiguous acres of wetlands and uplands. The Templeman-Watkins Loop Trail can be accessed from Cordaville Road (Rte 85). Features include wooden boardwalks constructed by several Eagle Scout candidates, vernal pools, glacial rock formations, old stone walls, and the Martha Templeman dedication plaque. There is limited parking near the trail entrance for two or three cars along Rte. 85, close to the Mass Pike overpass.

Events Being Planned

SOLF is planning some exciting programs and events. Watch this space.

Invasive Plants Removal at Beals Preserve

In November 2021, volunteer Brett Peters and an additional volunteer cleared invasive plants from the bridge leading to the main section of Beals Preserve. A job well done!

The bridge before brushing

Invasive plant removal at the bridge — The bridge before brushing

Proposed Southborough Town Lighting By-Law

SOLF supports the new Lighting By-Law to be voted on at SOUTHBOROUGH TOWN MEETING. There are two changes to the existing by By Law:

1. To adjust the color “temperature” of any new LED lighting in town to limit light pollution and protect human health and the environment.

2. To modernize the way that lighting plans can be put together to offer more flexibility and customization.

You can read a list of Frequently Asked Questions About the Proposed By Law Here

Art on the Trails 2020: Rising Up. Beals Preserve

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no opening reception this year. Instead, there will be live streaming of the installation process on June 17 & June 8.

July 30 – Deadline for poetry submissions Art On the Trails 2021: Mending

July 30 – Deadline for poetry submissions Art on the Trails 2021: Mending

CANCELLED Owls of New England, Peter Christoph, April 8, 2020 CANCELLED

Due to the emergency limitations placed on events because of the COVID 19 virus, this event has been cancelled. We will try to reschedule it for a later date.

Join the Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) on Wednesday April 8, 2020 to Discover the Owls of New England with photographer Peter Christoph. In this captivating presentation, Peter delivers stunning photographs of his favorite owls combined with stories that entertain, educate and inspire the audience. You’ll learn the secrets Peter uses to find and photograph these same owls in the wild in their natural habitat! Eight species of expected owls in New England include: Great Horned, Barred, and Eastern Screech – all year-round residents and fairly easy to spot. Long-eared, Short-eared, and Snowy are winter migrants and breed far north of us. Northern Saw-whet Owls do breed in New England but are quite small and rarely seen. Barn Owls have bred in New England but are the toughest of all to find. He’ll wrap up this exceptional wildlife program with beautiful images of a vagrant migrant- a rare visitor called the Great Gray Owl.

Peter Christoph is a well-known wildlife advocate, naturalist and award-winning bird photographer based in Lancaster, MA. He has a great respect for wildlife and through his presentations seeks to raise awareness of the need to conserve bird habitat. has presented at photography groups nationally and locally, including the Photographic Society of America (PSA), New England Camera Club Council (NECCC,) and several camera clubs throughout New England. He is a regular speaker for the Appalachian Mountain Club, Mass Audubon and the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as numerous birding clubs and dozens of libraries. Peter is a member of the Massachusetts Camera Naturalists, and is past president of the Camera Club of Central New England. He has been the recipient of many prestigious national and international awards and medals recognizing his photographic talent. Peter is also responsible for publishing three bird photography books, including his latest “The Art of Bird Photography.

Peter will also have copies of his books for purchase.

This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday April 8, 2020, 7:00 PM, Southborough Library, 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA

In Search of Mongolian Wolverines: Rebecca Watters, January 9, 2020

The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) invites you to a presentation by Rebecca Watters about a 350 mile cross country ski trek through the Altai Mountains of Mongolia in search of evidence of wolverines and other wildlife. Rebecca will also talk about wolverine/wildlife research in the United States. Rebecca is a graduate of Algonquin Regional High School, St. Lawrence University, and Yale University. She is Executive Director of the Wolverine Foundation and works with Round River Conservation Studies directing a student study abroad program in Mongolia where she works closely with the National Parks administration.

7:00 PM, Thursday, January 9, 2020
Southborough Library, 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA

The program is free and open to all. No registration is required.

Expedition Members

Expedition Members with Rangers

Art on the Trails 2019 Closing Ceremony

Art on the Trails 2019: Marking Territory will be closing Sunday, September 22, 2019. The event will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 PM at Beals Preserve and feature original art-inspired poetry submitted to the Call for Poetry. Small books of the art and poetry will be available for sale. Meet at the kiosk across the reservoir channel from Route 30/Main Street. Until September 22, Art on the Trails is open daily from dawn to dusk. Free and open to the public.

Guided Tour of Art on the Trails, Saturday, September 7, 10 AM to 11 AM

Join Debbie Costine for guided tour of Art on the Trails: Marking Territory, Saturday, September 7 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Beals Preserve. Please note this walk was originally scheduled for September 10 at 7:00 PM, but because of the EEE threat it has been rescheduled for this Saturday morning.

Please register for this walk here.

We recommend sturdy shoes to walk along the trails and insect repellent. Click here for more about Beals Preserve and parking instructions.

The walk will be held unless there is very heavy rain. A few showers will not cancel it.

Meeting instructions: Meet Debbie at the Route 30 (Main Street) entrance to the preserve. You will see a kiosk after crossing over the channel bridge.

Additional Parking instructions at the Route 30 (Main Street) access. Use 144 Main Street, Southborough with your GPS. Google Maps.

There are two areas in which you may park for this access.

1. Park along Main Street where there is area to pull off the side. Walk to the access on the right side of Main Street directly across from Chestnut Hill Road. (This is a private home, no parking) Go through the gate (please close it after you), walk down the lane and across the bridge over the Wachusett channel. Please do not park in front of the gate.

2. Park in the Parking Area for the trails for Chestnut Hill Farm. Turn onto Chestnut Hill Rd. The parking area is on the right side of the road in the field past the collection of white houses and outbuildings and marked with a sign. Walk back to Route 30, and the entrance to Beals Preserve is directly across the street. Go through the gate (please close it after you), walk down the lane and across the bridge over the Wachusett channel. Please do not park in front of the gate or in the areas reserved for the Farm Stand at Chestnut Hill Farm.