DNRT Summer 2014 Milestones Newsletter

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M i l e s t o n e sD A R T M O U T H N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S T R U S T , I N C .

Headline Typography Placement May Vary

Preserving and protecting Dartmouth’s natural resources for people and nature, forever.

IN THIS ISSUE:

North Hixville Conservation Project

Barn Bash Square Dance

43rd Annual Meeting

“Amazing Reserve Race”

2 DNRT - Milestones / Summer 2014

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Inc.

404 Elm Street • PO Box P-17

Dartmouth, MA 02748

Phone: 508-991-2289

Fax: 508-991-4044

[email protected] | www.dnrt.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President, Clifton Rice

Vice President, Lorraine Granda

Secretary, John Bermingham

Treasurer, Steven Shuster

Lisa Bergson Susan Jenkins

Diane Camacho Lyn Keith

Robert Feingold Gretchen Knowlton

James Forbush Robert Ladd

Peg Gildersleeve Haven Roosevelt

Felicity Forbes Hoyt Clifford Tracy

Mike Humphrey Robert Truslow

STAFF

Executive Director, Dexter C. Mead

[email protected]

Land Manager, Linda Vanderveer

[email protected]

Office Manager, Deborah C. Cunha

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS

Deborah C. Cunha

Dexter C. Mead

Walter & Lorraine Granda

Stasia Powers

Linda Vanderveer

Lees market in Westport provides an easy way for you to provide additional support to DNRT. Just shop at Lees, mail or bring your entire, itemized receipt to DNRT, and Lees will give DNRT 1% of the total.

M I L E S T O N E S / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4

North Hixville Conservation Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

43rd Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Notes from the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 & 5

Spring & Summer Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 & 7

“Amazing Reserve Race” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Barn Bash Square Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Calendar Photo Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Special Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

C O N T E N T S

Send Your Lees Market Receipts to DNRT!

Photo by: Robert “Bob” Hughes

COME JOIN US AT THE BARN.. .


DNRT celebrated two outstanding volunteers, Ernest Fisher and John Wylde, at its 43rd Annual Meeting of Members, held May 21, 2014 at Friends Academy.

DNRT presented Ernest Fisher with its “Joe Frothingham Memorial Award,” which is given periodically to a DNRT member “who most exemplifies Joe’s dedication to conservation, love of the outdoors and pure joy in it all.” In presenting the award, outgoing DNRT President Robert Truslow praised Fisher’s skills and experience in marketing and management, and spoke about his dry sense of humor and love of the outdoors. Fisher was on the DNRT Board of Directors from 2004 to 2010, serving as President from 2007 to 2009, and is now entering his 11th year on DNRT’s Land Management Committee. Said Truslow, “Ernest is the type of super volunteer who makes it possible for DNRT to stay lean and green.”

DNRT also honored long-time volunteer and Board member, John Wylde, who passed away in 2013, by naming its annual guest lecture the “John Wylde Lecture.” In his remarks introducing the lecture, Truslow said, “John represented the best of DNRT. He was a knowledgeable and ardent conservationist and an outdoorsman par excellence with long and practical experience in everything from forest management, birds, kayaks, equipment, finance and management.”

The first annual John Wylde Lecture was then given by Dr. Brian Howes, the Director of the Coastal Systems Program at the UMass-Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology, who is overseeing the monitoring of DNRT’s restoration of Nonquitt Marsh.

In other business, DNRT members elected three new members to its Board of Directors: James Forbush, Felicity Forbes Hoyt, Gretchen Knowlton, as well as returning member Haven Roosevelt. Officers elected were Clifton Rice as President, Lorraine Granda as Vice President, John Bermingham as Secretary and Steven Shuster as Treasurer.

THE NORTH HIXVILLE CONSERVATION PROJECT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

DNRT is close to acquiring a beautiful 60-acre

property in North Dartmouth, but we need your

help! We are seeking to raise the final $130,000 by

our closing date of September 4, 2014, in order to

reach our total project goal of $425,500. DNRT’s

successful acquisition of this lovely old family farm

will forever conserve significant forest, wetland, and

rare species habitat; protect three lovely spring-fed

ponds; and provide a network of trails for hiking,

picnicking, bird watching, non-motorized biking,

and enjoyment of nature.

Please help protect this amazing property by donating to DNRT’s Land Acquisition Fund today. Please use the reply form and envelope included in this newsletter or go to dnrt.org/make-a-special-gift/.

Photo by: Dexter Mead

Help save this box turtle’s home by giving to the North Hixville Conservation Porject.

DNRT Celebrates Volunteers at 43rd Annual Meeting

John Wylde Ernest Fisher


Notes from the Field

This spring DNRT saw the completion of the much-anticipated Nonquitt Marsh restoration project, which has been more than 30 years in the making. The marsh had suffered significant degradation over the past century due to an undersized 30-inch culvert, which restricted the tidal flow from Buzzards Bay into the marsh. As a result of the tidal restriction, the overall water quality within the marsh declined, leading to a reduction in the native saltmarsh vegetation and a significant increase in invasive species, including common reed (Phragmites australis).

The new culvert consists of three 8-foot-wide box culverts, which allow for free tidal flow to the maximum extent possible. The increase in tidal flows, flushing, and salinity is expected to restore approximately 75 acres of salt marsh habitat, enhancing the marsh for fish and wildlife, as well as reducing the prevalence of invasive species. In addition to the new culvert, the tidal creek inlet was realigned and the creek channel opened and lined with rocks to prevent scouring and erosion. Mattarest Lane was slightly re-aligned to accommodate the new culvert, new guardrails were installed adjacent to the culvert, and native beach grass and shrubs were installed to anchor the disturbed areas north and south of the culvert. Be sure to watch for changes in the marsh over the coming year.

Before Restoration

After Restoration

Construction


DNRT welcomes Drew Wethington as an intern in Land Management for the summer. Drew is a student at the University of Maine in Orono majoring in forestry. He comes to us on a grant from the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Drew has already proven himself invaluable, helping out on a variety of tasks from trimming trails and mowing fields to painting windows at Allen’s Mill. If you see him out and about be sure to say hello.

DNRT Welcomes Drew Wethington as Land Management Summer Intern

Visitors this year to DNRT’s Daffodil Field at the Parsons Reserve may have noted a number of physical changes to the landscape, including wider paths that were outlined with cedar logs. The goal of these changes is to better accommodate the growing crowds that come to see this unique woodland gem. Widening the paths resulted in many

daffodils growing within the area of foot traffic. In order to protect these flowers we transplanted dozens of daffodils from among the narrowest portions of the trail, relocating them to nearby bare spots. If the transplanting is successful we will be relocating daffodils from the remainder of the trail next year.

DNRT’s Parson Reserve Daffodil Field

DNRT was fortunate enough to benefit from the handiwork of two local Eagle Scouts this spring. Ian Mayo of Troop 170 of South Darmouth constructed and installed two new benches for visitors to the Daffodil Field. One bench serves as a welcome respite at the top of the hill across from the kiosk on the Blue/Yellow Trail, and the other is located adjacent to the existing bench at the entrance to the Daffodil Field. Aaron Santos of Troop 13 from North Dartmouth constructed and installed a 50-foot boardwalk on the Red Trail at Frank Knowles/Little River. The

boardwalk will replace a series of individual boards that helped visitors transit a wet area in the trail. The new permanent boardwalk will keep visitors’ feet dry while protecting the fragile wetland ecosystem below. Thanks to both Aaron and Ian!

Eagle Scouts

Photo by: Linda Vanderveer

Photo by: Dexter Mead

Aaron Santos of Troop 13

Ian Mayo of Troop 170


D N R T S P R I N G & S U M M E R AC T I V I T I E S

Members Only Dragon Fly Walk

Photography Walk

Pettingill Foundation & Dennison Memorial Outing

Little River Boardwalk Opening


Council on Aging visits daffodil field

Vernal Pool Walk

Yoga at Slocum’s River Reserve

Veggie Racing at Darmtouth’s 350th Memorial Day Celebration


As part of Dartmouth’s 350th birthday celebration, DNRT is hosting the “Amazing Reserve Race,” a fun competition that will take teams of four to locations around Dartmouth on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Registration begins on August 1 at www.dnrt.org.

DNRT’s version of TV’s Amazing RaceTM will begin at the Slocum’s River Reserve at noon on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Up to 20 teams of four will travel to four different DNRT Reserves all over Dartmouth and perform warm-up and challenge activities at each Reserve. These activities, such as throwing a Frisbee at a target, finding items along a path, and completing a brain teasing puzzle, will be timed from check-in to check-out. Total times will be tabulated back at the Slocum’s River Reserve to determine the winners. T-shirts will be provided to all participants and prizes awarded for first, second, and third place teams.

For the past 43 years, DNRT has been an important part of Dartmouth, helping to protect over 5,000 acres. Come and explore some of these treasures while having loads of fun during the “Amazing Reserve Race.”

Space is limited, so register your team of four at www.dnrt.org beginning on August 1. A registration fee of $20 is required per team. For more information, please contact the DNRT office at 508-991-2289.

J O I N T H E F U N !

LEGENDDestruction Brook WoodsHelfand FarmRidge HillSlocums River Reserve

±A Taste of What’s to Come...

Town of Dartmouth


Kick up your heels and dance the night away at DNRT’s 9th Annual “Barn Bash” Square Dance. Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday,

August 23, 2014 hoedown to be held at the Sylvan Nursery Barn, 253 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. It is one of the liveliest and fun-filled parties of the summer!

The evening will feature a fabulous Tex-Mex meal by Morton’s Fork Catering, a wonderful silent auction and a full open bar from CV Liquors. The terrific “Three Cats and A Dog” will be back this year with caller Tony Parks to get everyone up and swinging.

Individual tickets are still only $85…or we hope you can become an individual Barn Bash sponsor by purchasing a $150 “Land Steward” ticket or $250 “Conservation Partner” ticket. All proceeds will support DNRT’s mission to preserve and protect Dartmouth’s natural resources for people and nature, forever.

This year’s generous business sponsors (to date) include Sylvan Nursery as Lead Sponsor; Consolidated Edison Development, Dartmouth Dermatology Associates/

Dr. Paul Snyder, Toyota of Dartmouth and Sperry Tents as Partners; Anchor Animal Hospital, Baldwin Brothers, BayCoast Bank and Concordia Company, Inc. as Contributors; Bank Five, Big Value Outlet, Brian M. Glover, P.C., Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners and Gotta Have It! Inc. as Supporters.

Our generous individual sponsors (to date) include Tim Mahoney & Pam Donnelly as Conservation Partner Table Sponsors; Rob & Beth Ladd and Ann & Lloyd Macdonald as Land Steward Table Sponsors; Lisa & Gene Bergson, Hans & Susan Brenninkmeyer, Robert & Janet Feingold, John & Tally Garfield, Bayard Henry, Ted & Donna Ingalls, Jim Perry and Benjamin & Elizabeth White as Conservation Partner Sponsors; Bettina Borders & Vic Mailey, Richard & Nancy Forbes, Mike & Susie Humphrey, Brad & Susie Jenkins, Stephen & Julie Kiechel, Peter & Dora Macdonald, Morgan & Kathy Mowbray, Tom Peters & Susan Sargent, Haven & Bunny Roosevelt and Robert & Sally Truslow as Land Steward Sponsors.

For more information, please call Deborah at 508-991-2289 or visit the DNRT website at www.dnrt.org where you can purchase tickets and preview a list of silent auction items.

Hurry before the corral is full!

Kick Up Your Heels at the Barn Bash!

If you have a great photo you’ve taken on a DNRT Reserve, we would love to see it! Submit your best photos to DNRT by Friday, August 15, 2014, and you will have a chance at getting your photo in our 2015 wall calendar. Photos must be taken on or of a DNRT Reserve. They may include people, animals, plants, historical features or landscapes. Each entrant may submit up to 7 photographs.

A disk of your high-resolution digital photos may be mailed to DNRT, P.O. Box P-17, Dartmouth, MA 02748, or dropped off at the DNRT office at 404 Elm Street in Dartmouth. If you wish to e-mail your photos, please send them one at a time to [email protected]. All entries must include the photographer’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, where the photo was taken, when it was taken, and any comments the entrant wishes to make about the photo. The entrant must be the sole author and

owner of the copyright in all photos entered. Although entrants retain complete copyright over their image, entrants grant DNRT a royalty-free right to use, display, and reproduce the image for purposes of publication in all media.

HAVE A GREAT PHOTO?Enter DNRT’s Annual Calendar Photo Contest

Winning Calendar Photo for May 2014 taken by: Lucas Dion

We would like to welcome our newest Partner Sponsor

Consolidated Edison Development.


Haven Roosevelt, Brad & Susie Jenkins & Kathryn Gollub for help with the Seal Walk

Ian Mayo and Troop 170 for the benches at the Parsons Reserve

Haven Roosevelt, Brad Jenkins, Diane Camacho & Jo-Anne Gallant for helping with the April Storywalk

Susie Jenkins & Gretchen Knowlton for assisting with office mailing

Lorraine Granda for the office Spring front door wreath

Don Zekan for the chain saw work at Ridge Hill Reserve

Diane Camacho for the mailbox installation at Ridge Hill Reserve

Susan Mead for the planter in front of the DNRT office

Quintessential Gardens for the landscape work outside the DNRT office

Susie Jenkins, Bunny Roosevelt, Mary Dewar & Paul Nelson for outside office cleanup

Don Cordner & MaryJo Ahlander for their Land Management Equipment donations

Tom Matthews & Steven Shuster for their help with the Smith Farm board installation

Bob & Janet Feingold for hosting the Board Cocktail Party

Robb Ladd for mowing at Allen’s Mill & Destruction Brook Woods

Jack Wethington for helping paint at Allen’s Mill

Advika & Raynuka Rajapakse for trail work at the New Bedford Garden Club Reserve

Susie Jenkins for distribution of various posters

Lorraine & Walt Granda, Brad & Susie Jenkins, Miriam Pepesia, Salvador’s Ice Cream, Fran Pettengill and volunteers from the Pettengill Foundation for the Pettengill Foundation and Dennison Memorial Outing

Philip Baker for distribution of DNRT brochures

Walk Leaders: Mike Boucher, Jessica Cook, Steve Connors & Mark Mello.

The talented Work Party Trail Crew (March - July): Bob Truslow, Brad & Susie Jenkins, Tom Matthews, Diane Camacho, Gretchen Knowlton, Haven Roosevelt, Jane Ashley, Jane Scott, Jeff Graber, Jim Forbush, Joan Bullard, Joanne Humphrey, Mary Dewar, Maureen Fanning, Stacy Nerhona, Steven Shuster, Ted Ingalls, Tip Tracy, Tom Bush, Paul Nelson, Mary Dewar, MaryJo Ahlander, Juergen Hallemeier, Lyn Keith, Jim Maltais, Jo-Anne Gallant, Don Zekan & Dave Aderberg.

Little River Boardwalk Party: Caterer Lyn Keith along with her staff, Gretchen Knowlton & Guida Silveira, Mary Dewar and a special thanks to the hosts Clif & Mickie Rice.

Farmers Market volunteers: Peg Gildersleeve, Steven Shuster, Rob Ladd & Malcolm Johnston.

All those who helped make the Little River Boardwalk Trail Opening a great success, especially: John Vasconcellos & Steve Connors with The Trustees of Reservations, Peg Gildersleeve, Jack Bermingham, Walt & Lorraine Granda, Brad & Susie Jenkins, Diane Camacho & Jo-Anne Gallant, Toby Dills, Haven Roosevelt, Joan Bullard, Jennifer Brindisi, Lisa Bergson, Bob Truslow, Ernerst Fisher, Paul Nelson & especially Len Gauvin of Salvador’s Ice Cream for the use of their parking lot.

Parsons Wine & Cheese Event volunteers: Caterer Lyn Keith along with Gretchen Knowlton, Guida Silveira, Jo-Anne Gallant, Kathryn & Brian Gollub, Nina Knowlton, Cleo Fortier, and Diane Camacho for helping prepare the delicious spread, David Neilson of Coastal Vineyards for providing an amazing wine tasting, Karen Baron & Dennis Bastarache for the port-a-jon, Daniella Chirigotis & The Fairhaven Public School Band for providing lovely string music.

Annual Meeting of Members: Guest Speaker Brian Howes, Ph. D., Friends Academy for the use of its facilities and volunteers: Lyn Keith, Gretchen Knowlton, Jo-Anne Gallant, Lisa Bergson, Guida Silveira, Nina Knowlton, Kathryn Gollub, Susan Mead, Lorraine Granda, Mickie Rice, Margo Rice and Philip Baker for taking photos.

Daffodil Docents: Mary Jo Ahlander, Victor & Joyce Andersen, Lisa Bergson, Jennifer Brindisi, Joan Bullard, Diane Camacho & Jo-Anne Gallant, Mary Dewar, Maureen Fanning, James Forbush, Peggy Gildersleeve, Kathryn & Brian Gollub, Lorraine & Walt Granda, Nat Harris, Brad & Susie Jenkins, Malcolm & Sally Johnston, Lyn Keith, Gretchen Knowlton, Beth & Rob Ladd, Katherine Leary, Tom Matthews, Paul Nelson, Miriam Pespisa, Bob & Sally Truslow, Anne Webb and Lee Wheeler.

Daffodil Transplanting Work Parties: MaryJo Ahlander, Victor & Joyce Andersen, Tom Bush, Mary Dewar, Maureen Fanning, Dylan Marshall, Miriam Pespisa, Sarah Pinney and Advika & Raynuka Rajapakse.

Special Thanks To:


DNRT WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

MARCH - JUNE 2014

Lorllyn AllanPaul & Diane BailargeonRay Holberger & Anne BarbonnaisMaureen BenjaminSusan & Russell BenoitLynne BerardJune BlaiseVanda, Alan, Isaac & Isabelle BlinnMr. & Mrs. Roger BraninJanet & David BuehlerRobert CaronRichard & Christine CasselTracy & Andrew ClarkeLynne CotterJames & Diane CrookGabrielle CyrJim & Lauren CzerkowiczGail DesrochesLiz Walker, Dave DiPaolo & TitanWendy Nicholas & Jim Dorsey

David & Lori DufresneThe Cummins FamilyMary FarryLinda & Peter FentonJanice & Paul FernandesBarbara FerriShana FilipekCarla FinkClaire FlynnJane & Alicia FolkmanAlton D. GiffordTrish Lyell & Bob GilstonSusan GormanBarbara HallTeresa HammRuth HanksTammy HierholcerMartin Higgins & Ginny McMahon HigginsJane SilviaLeo Kavanaugh IIILinda KeithMichael Kelly

Joel Alstein & Nan LairdFreddy LassalleVerena LisinskiJames MaltaisJoanne MedeirosJonah & Emma MikutowiczJaclyn MilesMonica Sousa Ruby NadeauByron & Cynthia NiederhelmanKim Wylie & Mike NolanNancy OgdenPaul & Kate OuelletteKathleen PallatroniKateyln, Nick, Ethan & Olivia PedroJames Pingeon Russ & Betty PintoPaula RaposaLori RitaMilena RodriguesNoel SeeleyJohn & Lynn SeymourKaitlyn Silva

Guida SilveiraBetsy Keady & Mark SmithLesley Hill & Alan StoneRobert Sherman & Mary Elizabeth SwerzLeonard & Deborah SylviaPatience TatlockShaun & Janine TavaresJames & Barbara TreckerAnna Marie VenturaStephen & Jennifer VescioAndrea VigusIris & Gary WallaceEileen WaxlerDeborah Weaver Leslie Lawrence & Ron WeingartnerJohn, Lisa, Drew, Blake & Jack WethingtonWilliam RussellPeter & Virginia Ziobro

Steven Shuster & Tom Matthews at Smith Farm Reserve Miriam Pespisa at Parsons Reserve

Photos by: Linda Vanderveer

Weekly Yoga SeriesWednesdays, July 2nd - August 20th8:00 am at the Slocum’s River Reserve Please join Kripalu-Certified yoga instructor Jeff Costa, RYT for a outdoor yoga class. All abilities welcome.

DNRT at Farmers Market Fridays, Aug. 29th & Sept. 26th 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Rex Field in Padanaram Experience the joy of gathering together with the community of local farmers and enjoying the abundance of local foods.

9th Annual Barn Bash Square DanceSaturday, August 23, 20145:30 pm ~ 10:00 pm at Sylvan Nursery Barn Come join us for a fun-filled evening of delicious food and lively square dancing in support of DNRT’s annual fundraiser.

Dartmouth 350th Russells MillsSaturday, September 6, 2014DNRT Events: 10:00 am - 2:00 pmHistoric Allen’s Mills Open to the Public11:00am – 12:00pm Nature Walk through Destruction Brook Woods starting at the Dartmouth Grange with DNRT’s Land Manager Linda Vanderveer.

DNRT’s “Amazing Reserve Race” Sunday, September 21, 201412:00 pm at Slocum’s River ReserveCome bring your team of four for an exciting competition around Dartmouth. Space is limited; register your team at www.dnrt.org. A registration fee of $20 is required per team.

Bird WalkSaturday, September 27, 20149:00 am at Slocum’s River ReserveCome join our guest leader, William Gil from the Paskamansett Bird Club as he takes you through the Slocum’s River Reserve in search of various bird species.

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Inc.404 Elm Street • PO Box P-17

Dartmouth, MA 02748

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S www.dnrt.org

For further information on these and other events please visit our website www.dnrt.org or call our office at 508-991-2289.

Documents

DNRT Summer 2014 Milestones Newsletter