Mushroom Walk At Beals Preserve on October 19, 2025
The Southborough Open Land Foundation is sponsoring a 2-hour mushroom walk and talk on October 19, 2025, from 10 am – noon at SOLF’s Beals Preserve. Jonathan Kranz, a mushroom enthusiast, former park ranger (Boston Harbor Islands), and current vice president of the Boston Mycological Club, will cover the basics of mushroom habits, identification, and […]
Visit the SOLF Booth on Heritage Day on October 13
SOLF trustees will be at our booth for Heritage Day on Monday, October 13, 2025, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please stop by say hello and learn about the land that we have protected, where to visit, and ways that you can help.
Art on the Trails at Beals Preserve through Sep 14
The Southborough Open Land Foundation invites the general public to visit Beals Preserve through September 14 to view Art on the Trails installations. The Elaine and Phillip Beals Preserve is located on Main Street in Southborough, Massachusetts. Download a map of the installations here.To learn more about this event, visit https://artonthetrails.com/. Art Juror Madeleine Lord […]
SOLF 2025 Annual Meeting Presentation
At the SOLF Annual Meeting last night, Trustee Debbie Costine gave a presentation highlighting recent projects and beautiful scenes across some of the properties we provide as open space to the public. SOLF mission is supported by your donations. Recent Projects and Beautiful Scenes by Trustee Debbie Costine
Annual Meeting May 14 at 6:30 pm
The Southborough Open Land Foundation is having its Annual Meeting on May 14 at 6:30 pm at the Southborough Community House. All are welcome! Members (those who have donated in the past year) can vote for election of Trustees. There will be a short business meeting, followed by a slide show and a social hour.
SOLF’s Create in the Woods Challenge
Runs November through May The Challenge:• Go to a SOLF property that has trails.• Go with no tools or materials.• Explore and notice what is there: like sticks, rocks, colored leaves, fallen trees, acorns, etc.• Choose a spot next to a trail and begin collecting things to build with or arrange.• Create something using just […]
Nature Walk at Beals Preserve on Sunday, October 20, 1 – 2:30 pm
Please join us for a Nature Walk at the Beals Preserve on Sunday, October 20 at 1 pm. The walk will be led by curious naturalist, artist, and SOLF trustee Debbie Costine. Stroll in the meadows and woods, taking time to see what nature is doing at this time of the year. We will hear […]
Visit the SOLF booth on Heritage Day, October 14
Monday, October 14, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, SOLF trustees will be at our booth for Heritage Day. Please stop by say hello and learn about the land that we have protected and things that volunteers can do.
Important: Construction Project at Beals Preserve Sunday, Sep 29
Please note that a major project on Old Farm Lane at Beals Preserve will start on Sunday, September 29 and last through at least Tuesday, October 1. To address the spring and early summer wet area that starts about two hundred feet south of the kiosk, the trail will be improved. If you park at […]
Art on the Trails 2024 at Beals Preserve
Southborough Open Land Foundation, in collaboration with Southborough Artist Catherine Weber, is pleased to present the 8th Annual Art On the Trails in the summer of 2024 on Beals Preserve. The art juror will be the amazing Marie Craig of Fountain Street Gallery. The call for art opens February 15. The installations will be on […]
Recap of SOLF Annual Meeting on May 8, 2024
The Southborough Open Land Foundation’s held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Community House at 28 Main Street in Southborough. The evening started at 6 pm with light refreshments, followed by Trustee remarks by President Destin Heilman, a presentation on raptor rescue at 7 pm, the presentation of the 2024 Elaine […]
Birding walk on April 27 – Beals Preserve
On Saturday, April 27, SOLF hosted a birding walk at Beals Preserve. Eleven people attended the Earth Day Birding Walk at Beals Preserve. Unfortunately the presenter was unable to make it at the last minute, so trustees Sally Watters and Debbie Costine led a walk featuring some property history (like “fox hunts”) as well as […]
Raptor Tales Rescue Program At SOLF Annual Meeting
We are excited to have a presentation by Jess Zorge, the founder of Raptor Tales Rescue of Shrewsbury. Raptor Tales Rescue (RTR) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that is run entirely on a volunteer basis. Jess works full time in the biomedical field. She is a Shrewsbury, MA native and military veteran with a soft […]
The Maple Syrup Making Presentation Now Online
Have maple trees? Want to learn how to tap trees and make maple syrup? On October 25, 2023, Tony Willoughby, an experienced maple syrup maker, gave a presentation on how you can make your own. You can now view the presentation! The talk was courtesy of the Southborough Open Land Foundation in partnership with the […]
SOLF 2023 Annual Appeal is underway
Our 2023 Annual Appeal is underway. Forests, wetlands, lakes, and open fields are all understood to be important habitat for wildlife. But there’s more! Shrublands, those “overgrown fields,” and small shallow ponds also provide food and shelter for many species. The Southborough Open Land Foundation is working to create and maintain such diverse habitats of […]
Garden Talk and Plant Sale and Honoring Whitney Beals – September 23
On September 23, from 10 am – 12 noon, there will be a Garden Talk and Plant Sale at the Native Pollination Preservation Garden at Beals Preserve. Parking is available at the small SOLF parking area off Main Street and across the street at the intersection of Northborough Road and Main Street. Additional parking is […]
Maple Syrup Making – Rescheduled to October 25
Have maple trees? An experienced maple syrup maker will explain how you can make your own. The talk is courtesy of the Southborough Open Land Foundation in partnership with the Southborough Library. But it will be held in Cordaville Hall (aka the Senior Center). The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25 from 7:00 – […]
Beals Preserve Preservation Garden Tour on June 24
On June 24, Freddie Gillespie, Chair of Southborough’s Open Space Preservation Commission (OSPC), gave a tour and talk about the Beals Preserve Pollination Preservation Garden. The tour and talk covered the challenges and benefits of pollination preservation activities in old meadows. The morning’s drizzle did not keep a nice crowd from coming to hear Freddie […]
Art on the Trails 2023 – Through September 17
Press release from Southborough Artist Catherine Weber: The Southborough Open Land Foundation invites the general public to visit Beals Preserve for the 7th annual Art on the Trails.. This year’s theme is Transformation. The exhibition will take place again this year at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve in Southborough, Massachusetts. A juried exhibition of […]
Rotary Club Day at Pollinator Garden on May 20
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 12,000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across five states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities. The Southborough Rotary Club will be working with Freddie Gillespie, Open Space Preservation Commission Chair and Pollinator Preservation Garden expert, at the Pollinator Preservation Garden at Beals Preserve from […]
SOLF Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 10
Please join us for the Southborough Open Land Foundation’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at the Community House at 28 Main Street in Southborough. The evening starts at 6 pm with light refreshments, followed at 7 pm with Trustee introductions and remarks, the presentation of the 2023 Elaine Beals Conservation Award to Al Bezanson, […]
Earth Day Clean-up April 22, 2023
SOLF trustees and volunteers participated in this year’s Earth Day clean-up, starting at the trailhead to Templeman Woods on Route 85, and heading south past Richards Road, stopping at our other property at Lambert Corners.
Program on Eastern Coyote/Coywolf on April 27
On April 27, 2023 at 7 pm at the Southborough Library, SOLF, in conjunction with Earth Day, offered a program by Dr. Jon Way on The Eastern Coyote/Coywolf – How Coyotes behave and live so successfully near people. Topics included: The presentation ran about one hour and a half, including questions and book sales. Our […]
Daisy Scouts Perform Trail Work at Clark Grove
Recently Daisy Scout Troop #64042 did some trail work at SOLF’s little “Clark Grove” property on Highland St. They even cleaned our sign! We love that we’ve been able to create a small trail for a neighborhood to enjoy. Thank you troop #64042 and leader Phaea Crede !
History Walk at Beals Preserve on Sunday, October 16 at 10 am
Join Whitney Beals and the Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) for a history walk at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve on Sunday, October 16 at 10 am. President Whitney Beals will walk and talk about the history of the property. Meet at the kiosk on the south side of the aqueduct. Sign up at […]
SOLF Completes Linda Hubley Scholarship Fund Challenge
The Southborough Scholarship Committee created a new scholarship to honor the memory of Linda Hubley, a woman who championed both state and local environmental causes. During her career, Linda worked for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, Division at both Hopkinton State Park and Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord. Later she worked with the […]
SOLF Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 18
Mark your calendars for the Southborough Open Land Foundation’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 18 at the Community House in Southborough, with a reception and light refreshments at 6 pm, followed by a presentation at 7 pm by Peter Alden — Concord native, ornithologist, naturalist, author — on changes over time to Concord’s bird and […]
Earth Day Walk at Beals Preserve on April 22
As part of the town-wide Planet Palooza Earth Celebration, SOLF sponsored “A Walk Back in Time” on April 22 at 11am at Beals Preserve – a review of the history of the Beals Preserve use since 1900. Participants met at the Pollinator Preservation Garden in the Main Street Field at Beals Preserve for a brief […]
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 […]
Art on the Trails 2021: Mending
The Southborough Open Land Foundation, in collaboration with Southborough Artist Catherine Weber, is pleased to present Art On the Trails 2021: Mending from June 13 to September 26, 2021 at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve, Southborough, Massachusetts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there will be no opening reception this year. Instead, there will […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
2019 Annual Meeting, May 4, 2019
SOLF held its annual meeting Saturday May 4, at the historic 1812 Deacon Webster Johnston House, 49 Lynbrook Road, Southborough, MA, home of the L’Abri Fellowship, donors to SOLF of a 5.5 acre parcel of land across from their historic home. The meeting began with a welcome by Ben Keyes of L’Abri Fellowship followed by […]
Our Endangered Trees: Asian Longhorned Beetle, Spotted Lanternfly, and Emerald Ash Borer
On Thursday April 4, 2019, the Southborough Open Land Foundation sponsor4d a presentation by Joshua Bruckner on Invasive Insects Threatening Massachusetts Trees. The talk focused on the Asian Longhorned Beetle, the Spotted Lanternfly, and the Emerald Ash Borer, The Asian Longhorned Beetle is responsible for the destruction of over 36,000 trees in Worcester over the […]
Southborough Community Fund Grant for Art on the Trails 2020
The Southborough Community Fund has again awarded a $5000 grant to the Southborough Open Land Foundation to fund the annual Art on the Trails Program 2020 to be held at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve. The program includes a juried exhibition of artwork on the trails, poetry submissions that respond to the art, a […]
Carl Guyer Receives 2018 Elaine Beals Award
Carl Guyer, at a December 12, 2018 SOLF meeting, receives the annual Elaine Beals award from trustee Sally Watters for his leadership in environmental conservation and awareness. Elaine Beals was among the founding members of the Southborough Open Land Foundation. She served on the Board of Trustees of SOLF for many years. She was […]
September 15, 2018, Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) presented Tom Ricardi, founder and operator of the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility in Conway, MA, with a program on Birds of Prey at the Southborough Library, September 15, 2018, at 2:00 PM. A large number of children and adults were in attendance to see the variety of […]
May 12, 2018, Bird Walk at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land
On a damp and cool Saturday morning, Jeff Collins, Director of Mass Audubon’s Ecological Management Department led a group of 16 participants on a “Bird-a-thon” day bird walk at the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land, on Breakneck Hill Road, Southborough. Altogether, we saw 28 species including a number of Bobolinks, a Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and […]
Annual Meeting, May 9, 2018
Our 2018 Annual Meeting featured Dr. Martha Gach, Conservation Coordinator , Mass Audubon/Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation Center speaking on New England Pollinators and how to support them. SOLF members learned about hummingbirds and the many types of native bees and butterflies in their role as pollinators and what we can do to […]
May 6, 2018, Our First Summer Stroll
On Sunday evening, May 6, eight enthusiastic people participated in the first in our series of “Summer Evening Strolls at the Beals Preserve.” It was cloudy with a few light sprinkles, but we had a group who clearly enjoyed the quiet calm of walking in the woods with a bit of rain. Stay tuned!
October 28, 2017, Massachusetts Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) presented Tom Ricardi, founder and operator of the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility in Conway, MA, to a large and enthusiastic audience at the at the Southborough Library, October 28, at 2:00 PM. Tom Ricardi, a retired Fish and Game Warden with more than 30 years experience, is […]
Art on the Trails Thank You Catherine Kundrath Weber
The Southborough Open Land Foundation extends a tremendous THANK YOU to Catherine Kundrath Weber for pulling off a highly successful “Art on the Trails” project. From original concept, to all the many threads that must be coordinated, to perseverance throughout the entire process to even a celebration walk and poetry reading at the end, she […]
September 23, 2017, Wildlife Tracking with Paul Wanta at Beals Preserve
The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) presented naturalist, tracker and teacher of wilderness skills Paul Wanta in an exploration of the wildlife and plants that inhabit Beals Preserve, Southborough, MA. Paul Wanta has taught wilderness and tracking skills to young people for over 30 years. He lead us through the trails of Beals Preserve looking […]
June 25: Conservation Options & Planning: A Workshop for Landowners
The Southborough Open Land Foundation, with support from the Southborough Open Space Preservation Commission and Sudbury Valley Trustees, invites you to a complimentary workshop to explore options for conserving family land, Sunday, June 25, 2017, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772. Presentations by Steve Sloan, Owner of […]
Art on the Trails, Beals Preserve through September 24, 2017
The Southborough Open Land Foundation, in collaboration with Southborough Artist Catherine Weber, invites you to enjoy Art on the Trails: Finding Solace in the Woods, on exhibit through September 24, 2017, at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve, Southborough, Massachusetts. An exhibition of sculptural installations, juried by Southborough resident Mary M. Tinti, former Curator of […]
2017 Annual Meeting: Art on the Trails, Elaine Beals Awards, e-Awakening and the Bay Circuit Trail
The 2017 Annual Meeting of the Southborough Open Land Foundation (video), held May 17, 2017 was highlighted by the presentation of both the 2016 and 2017 Elaine Beals Conservation Award and an illustrated discussion on the Bay Circuit Trail by Marilyn and Dan Brielmann of e-Awakening. The meeting opened with a brief overview by Catherine […]
2017 Elaine Beals Award Presented to Alan French
Alan French, founder and former chairman of the Bay Circuit Alliance was presented with the 2017 Elaine Beals Conservation Award. Alan has worked tirelessly for over thirty years to reinvigorate the Bay Circuit Trail concept and bring it to completion. An idea first conceived in 1929 by a man named Benton MacKaye, the trail was to […]
May 13, 2017 Birdwalk at Breakneck Hill Conservation Land
On a gray and cold Saturday morning, the Southborough Open Land Foundation participated in Mass Audubon’s annual “Bird-a-thon” with a bird walk led by Jeff Collins, Director of Mass Audubon’s Ecological Management Department. The 18 participants in the walk saw a large variety of New England birds including Red-tailed Hawk, American Crow, Brown-headed Cowbird, American […]
May 17, 2017, 7:00 PM, Join Us at Our Annual Meeting, Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough
The Southborough Open Land Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough at 7:00 PM. Join us at the meeting where Dan & Marilyn Brielmann of e-Awakening along with Alan French will be your guides taking you along the Bay Circuit Trail, a […]
June 7 to July 7, 2017, Call for Poetry as part of Art on the Trails: Finding Solace in the Woods at Beals Preserve
Call for Poetry as part of Art on the Trails: Finding Solace in the Woods at Beals Preserve. Poets are encouraged to submit poetry written in response to the work. Deadline for submissions is July 7. Poetry will be juried by Tishman Review poetry editor, poet, and Westborough resident Maura Snell and Hopkinton poet Cynthia […]
SOLF Receives Southborough Community Fund Grant
SOLF is excited to announce that we are the recipients of a grant from the Southborough Community Fund, a fund of the Foundation for Metrowest. The grant will enable SOLF to present a workshop to inform landowners of the financial and environment advantages of placing a conservation restriction on their property and/or donating the property […]
Nick Hills Eagle Scout Project at Beals Preserve
The Southborough Open Land Foundation congratulates Nick Hills of Southborough Boy Scout Troop 1 for achieving his Eagle Scout Rank on June 4, 2016. Nick’s Eagle Scout Project was a trail renovation at Beals Preserve. There was a serious erosion problem on the Old Farm Lane Trail at the Red Gate Lane entrance area. During […]
Citizen Science: The SOLF Wildlife Survey at Beals Preserve, May 26, 2016, 7:00 PM, Southborough Library
Join SOLF Trustee and Wildlife Survey Coordinator Lawrence Spezzano for a discussion of the project. Click here for more details on the program. Thursday, May 26, 2016, Southborough Library, 7:00 PM.
Birdwalk at Beals Preserve, May 15, 2016
Jeff Collins from Mass Audubon led a birdwalk at Beals Preserve on a beautiful May morning, May 14, 2016. A large number of species, including a Red-winged Blackbird, European Starling, Barn Swallow, Canada Goose and Goslings, Mallard Duck, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, American Goldfinch, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Song Sparrow, Gray Catbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, […]
May 11, 2016, Annual Meeting: Wildlife Photographer Peter Christoph
The Southborough Open Land Foundation held its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough. The meeting featured wildlife photographer Peter Christoph, a full-time wildlife photographer, speaker, and author from Lancaster, MA, speaking on Birds, The Epic Adventures of a Massachusetts Bird Photographer. His program was a […]
Children’s Program on Beavers and Their Habitat, Saturday April 2, 2016, Southborough Library, 2:00 PM
On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Lisa Carlin of Mass Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary will present a children’s program on beavers and their habitat. Children will “create” their own beaver dam and/or lodge with playdough and pretzels. The presentation is at the Southborough Library, 25 Main Street, Southborough, 2:00 PM. The […]
All About Beavers, February 23, 2016
On Tuesday, February 23, 2016, Mike Callahan of Beaver Solutions, LLC, Southampton, MA , discussed solutions open to us when beavers begin to affect our property. He discussed the importance of beavers in creating and maintaining wetlands. He indicated that beaver ponds influence water quality by storing water and slowly releasing it. This process allows […]
SOLF Receives Award From The Southborough Community Fund
The Southborough Community Fund (SCF), Foundation for Metrowest has awarded a generous grant to support an education program in 2016 which will help residents learn about the beneficial environmental impact of beavers and outline strategies for co-existing with the growing beaver population in the area. Please visit our Upcoming Events page for programs funded by […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
