Art on the Trails 2018: Unexpected Gestures has closed for the year. The hghly attended event, planned and coordinated by Southborough Artist Catherine Weber in  collaboration with the Southborough Open Land Foundation, was open from June 13 to September 23, 2018 at the Elaine and Philip Beals Preserve, Southborough, Massachusetts. The 2018 theme focused on how does it feel to encounter art in an unexpected place? How does that gesture change your experience of nature? This exhibition offered artists the opportunity to install site-specific work in a natural environment that  surprised and delighted the hundreds of visitors at Beals Preserve for four months in 2018. 

Plans are already underway for Art on the Trails 2019. Stay tuned.

Art on the Trails 2017: Finding Solace in the Woods was highly attended and praised. Here is a short clip of the closing ceremony on September 24, 2017.

This year  SOLF celebrates 30 years of preserving open land in Southborough. Help us celebrate this achievement by supporting SOLF in its important mission of protecting open land in Southborough. Become a member now.

Happy Summer! Since 1988, SOLF has worked to protect, conserve and enhance local resources, connect open spaces and natural habitats. Help us celebrate 30 years of service by attending our upcoming events! To kick things off, explore “Art on the Trails: Unexpected Gestures” a collection of art installations housed at the Beals Preserve (with entrances on Main St, Red Gate Rd and Hickory Rd.) until 9/23/18! This is open now and ongoing, so grab a map and find all 17 new artworks! On September 15, SOLF will present Massachusetts Birds of Prey at the Southborough Library. Join us for this informative and exciting presentation.

More events and dates to follow! Let’s learn more about SOLF and the preservation of open space.

Create your own fairy house. Find out here.

The forecast for Saturday morning is cloudy and cool with a possibility of light showers. While we might like sunny and warm, we won’t let a few clouds deter us. So please join Jeff Collins, Director of Mass Audubon’s Ecological Management Department  at the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land, on Breakneck Hill Road, Southborough,  at 7:00 AM sharp.  Jeff has led a number of walks for us, and each year we see new birds and learn something new about our environment. The walk will finish at approximately 9:00 AM. No previous bird watching experience is necessary. Bring your binoculars, but please no dogs.

Starting May 6, Trustee Debbie Costine will lead a series of informal evening strolls along the trails of Beals Preserve. The strolls will be the first Sunday of each month at 6:30 PM. We will be looking at the flora and fauna as well as noting a bit of history of this former pasture.  We will also photograph specific areas to note changes from spring to late summer. All are welcome, but no dogs, please. The strolls are free and open to the public.  For more information email: solf.deb@gmail.com or  Click here for information on the strolls and parking.

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Art submission opens

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Deadline for art submissions

Starting May 6, Trustee Debbie Costine will lead a series of informal evening strolls along the trails of Beals Preserve. The strolls will be the first Sunday of each month at 6:30 PM. We will be looking at the flora and fauna as well as noting a bit of history of this former pasture.  We will also photograph specific areas to note changes from spring to late summer. The strolls will be held the first Sunday evening of each month, May 6, June 3, July 1, and August 5.  All are welcome, but no dogs, please. For more information email: solf.deb@gmail.com or Click here for information on the strolls and parking.

The Southborough Open Land Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, Southborough at 7:00 PM.

Join us at the meeting where Dr. Martha Gach,Conservation Coordinator
Mass Audubon / Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation Center will speak about New England Pollinators and How to Support Them.  Learn about  hummingbirds and the many  types of native bees and butterflies in their role as pollinators and what you can do to help them thrive in Southborough.  In addition, SOLF will present the annual Elaine Beals Conservation Award to a local resident. The Elaine Beals Conservation Award was created in 2005 to honor Elaine Beals for her many contributions to conservation and the protection of the environment in Southborough and the region.

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main Street, with light refreshments. Dr. Gach’s presentation will begin about 7:30 PM.

Please join us for this informative event. The meeting is free and open to the public, you need not be a member of SOLF to attend.

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Artist notification

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Artists install work

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Moving Celebration opening reception. Walk and hear participating artists. Event Map and Directions.

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Submissions for poetry open.

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Deadline for poetry submissions.

The next Summer Stroll at Beals Preserve with  Trustee Debbie Costine will be Sunday, August 5, at 6:30 PM. Join Debbie as she leads an informal evening stroll along the trails of Beals Preserve. We will be looking at the flora and fauna as well as noting a bit of history of this former pasture.  We will also photograph specific areas to note changes from spring to late summer. All are welcome, but no dogs, please. The strolls are free and open to the public.  For more information email: solf.deb@gmail.com or  Click here for information on the strolls and parking.

Art on The Trails 2018 Unexpected Gestures: Poets notified.