In December 2021, members of the SOLF Board and a volunteer cleared invasive plants and brush around the Big Oak Woods sign post. In April 2022, members of the SOLF Board cleaned and repainted the post and hung a new sign.
Big Oak Woods
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
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.
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!
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 diversity through 2015. More volunteers are always needed, please contact SOLF at info@solf.org, if your are interested. The information already collected suggests relationships among species, their gender, length and mass, which could drive future conservation efforts in Southborough and neighboring towns! For more information on this project, and information about about what has already been found, click here.
