Special Places | Spring 2020 by The Trustees of Reservations

SPRING 2020 VOLUME 28 NO. 1

FOR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE TRUSTEES

Come On, Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go! Dogs take the lead.

Join Our VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

As a Trustees Volunteer, you can get your hands dirty, engage and educate, learn new skills, share your skills, meet new friends, and make an impact. Opportunities: - Coastal Volunteer Corps - Trails - Events, Programs & Education - Farming - Gardeners - Stewardship Visit thetrustees.org/ volunteer to join the team, learn about corporate volunteer opportunities, internships, student service, and more!

ALL PHOTOS © TRUSTEES

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE

Trustees Unveils “I Am America” Multi-site Programming Initiative The year 2020 marks several historical milestones connected to the definition of American identity: the 400th anniversary of the landing of English colonists in Plymouth; the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote; and the General Election and opportunity to elect the President of the United States. In response, Trustees has designed an innovative year-long initiative to present some the many stories of American identity connected to its properties. Using visual art, poetry, music, and dance, as well as conversations, interactions, and publications all under the theme “I Am America,” Trustees explores the great variety of backgrounds and experiences that contribute to American identity, and broadens the discovery of narratives—including Native American, African American, and women—that have been pushed to the margins by mainstream interpretations. “I Am America” programs and events are scheduled to begin in spring with new exhibitions at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln and Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, the annual Home Sweet Home

Sonya Clark, artist and creator of Sonya Clark: Monumental Cloth, The Flag We Should Know, coming soon to deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, part of I Am America. Photo credit: Diego Valdez

open house day at eight historic house sites on Saturday, May 16, a new Enslavement and Freedom tour at The Old Manse in Concord, and a Native American Walk at Francis William Bird Park in Walpole, among others. (Ed. Note: Schedules may change in response to COVID-19; please check thetrustees.org for the latest updates.) More programs and events will be announced through summer and fall, such as the latest Art & the Landscape installation featuring a new work by Brazilian artist Laura Lima at Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens in New Bedford, a poetry series, and Performance in Flux, a series of commissioned outdoor performances at three properties across the state. Details and frequently updated schedules can be found at thetrustees.org, and look for highlights in our quarterly Things To Do calendars.

New Camping Opportunities at Rocky Woods Rocky Woods, long a favorite spot for hiking, dog walking, and Boy & Girl Scout overnights is now becoming the perfect place for budding outdoorspeople to try their hands at camping. Thanks to a grant from outdoor retailer REI Co-op, the popular Medfield reservation is building out nine additional campsites around Chickering Pond, as well as a second bathroom and outdoor shower facilities at Chickering Cabin. Rocky Woods’ now 15 campsites are each equipped with a fire pit and picnic table, and camping is

encouraged at any time. Organized group overnights are also being planned. “If you and your kiddos have tried camping in your backyard and are not quite ready for a big trip to the mountains, Rocky Woods is the place for you,” says D.A. Hayden, Director for The Trustees Charles River Valley Portfolio. She adds, “Camping here is safe, easy, and very user friendly—if you forgot any supplies, there’s a grocery store just down the street!” Visit thetrustees.org/rockywoods for more information and to reserve your campsite.

Responding to COVID-19 The Trustees is closely monitoring the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. As this issue of Special Places goes to press, the situation is continuing to change rapidly—our reservations were closed on March 24 and scheduled to open again as early as April 8, pending any updates to state guidelines. Our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our visitors and staff. We continue to follow all federal, state, and local guidelines, adopting the most cautious approach and updating our response as these guidelines change. We appreciate our Members, visitors, donors, volunteers, and friends who continue to support the organization during this time. Throughout this crisis, please practice social distancing while visiting our properties—including keeping six feet between yourself and others and keeping your dog on a leash at all times and away from others—and please heed all red COVID-19 Response signage posted on our properties. When reservations are open, we are taking appropriate measures to protect the health of the community. The following policies are in place, and will remain until further notice. We encourage you to check our website and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.

Programs: All programs will be canceled as long as bans on group gatherings are in place. Historic Houses and Indoor Spaces at our Museums: Closed until further notice. When the reservations are open, please continue to enjoy outdoor spaces at these sites. Farms and livestock: Out of an abundance of caution, we have limited interaction with livestock, their feed, and water to staff only. Information in this issue of Special Places that is specific to a date and time should be considered as tentative until this crisis has passed. Please be sure to check the website and social media channels for specific program or event information. For more information on our response to COVID19, updates to our policies, and other important notices, visit thetrustees.org/COVID19. We are providing suggestions for games, crafts, garden tips, and other helpful ideas while you’re staying safe at home—connect with us at thetrustees.org/athome. Lastly, during these unprecedented times, we rely on donations to supplant revenue lost through canceled programs and waived fees. Please help us keep our open spaces open by making a gift, of any size, online at thetrustees.org/donate. Thank you!

Crane Beach Celebrates 75 Years in Trustees’ Care 2020 marks a major milestone in the history of famed Crane Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich: the 75th anniversary of Florence Higinbotham Crane’s gift of her family’s coastal playground to The Trustees. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Trustees is planning a giant beach party, scheduled for Saturday, June 20. Details are

being finalized for the event, but visitors that day can expect live entertainment, professional sandcastle builders, food trucks, and more. Visit thetrustees.org/crane75 for more information as the event gets closer.

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This year’s Crane 75 event honors a long-standing tradition: The Crane family celebrated son Cornelius’s birthday each summer with a “Castle Hill Picnic” for Ipswich schoolchildren at what is now Crane Beach (pictured, left.) Trustees has carried on the tradition of holding summer beach parties for local residents through the 75 years it has cared for the property.

©THE CRANE FAMILY COLLECTION THE TRUSTEES, ARCHIVES & RESEARCH CENTER

SPRING 2020

COASTAL FOCUS

View of Norton Point Beach (left) and The Farm Institute (fields, center), Martha’s Vineyard. Taken from a 360 drone video, part of a panorama tour to be released this summer on thetrustees.org. (Courtesy of Above Summit)

State Support for Coastal Resilience Efforts On September 4, 2019, The Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) announced more than $2.4 million in funding to support coastal resilience projects to help prepare for, and adapt to, the effects of our changing climate, including storm surge, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise. In addition to $163,732 in funding for The Trustees’ ongoing Argilla Road Adaptation Project being undertaken in a partnership with the Town of Ipswich, Trustees’ coastal team was also awarded a grant for $82,000 to fund a communications project entitled “A Focus on Our Most Vulnerable Places”—a first-of-its-kind grant to be awarded to a nonprofit by CZM. Using three Trustees-protected properties as case studies to explore the opportunities and benefits of nature-based resilience interventions for barrier beaches, coastal banks, and publicly accessible shorelines, this communications grant will enable Trustees to create a series of whitepapers and a suite of multimedia content to help educate the public on the science behind its work. The multimedia components being developed include a video, 360 panorama tours of each property, and three podcast episodes. Once complete in June, The Trustees hopes the findings can serve as a model to help other communities and nonprofits proactively confront and share their own coastal challenges and resilience projects. Follow our progress at thetrustees.org/onthecoast.

CONTENTS

A Window on Our Coast As protector of more than 120 miles of the state’s coastline, Trustees shoulders a responsibility to champion and innovate, and bring energy and focus to bear for the future of our beloved coastal places. This ambitious goal, outlined in the Trustees strategic plan Momentum, includes plans to author a series of annual “State of the Coast” reports to celebrate and bring awareness to Massachusetts’ remarkable coastal communities, pinpoint the common climate-based threats they face, and highlight current and potential actions and solutions. This annual publication will highlight a different region each year over the next four years, with the first issue, focusing on the North Shore, planned for publication in the summer of 2020. Informed by robust research and supported by a professional team of environmental consultants, science writers, and information designers, each annual 40-page magazine-style publication will include a data-driven look at the various towns’ coastal risks, their resources, and their local community actions, using feature articles, case studies, and report cards of top threats they each face. The “State of the Coast” report will be available to a wide range of audiences, and is designed to drive awareness, help foster partnerships, and share powerful examples of communities taking charge of their resilience, in order to serve as a model for others to follow. For updates on the first report’s release, and to obtain copies, visit thetrustees.org/ onthecoast.

Promoting natural climate solutions.

Sharing Trustees trails with our dogs.

Learning to love art & culture.

Carbon Central

Taking the Lead

Sculpting Curious Minds

ON THE COVER: RILEY TAKES A WELCOME DIP, AT BROOKS WOODLAND PRESERVE IN PETERSHAM. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN DEMKO)

THE TRUSTEES

Trustees People

Meet our staff and volunteers.

Dear Members: As the darkness of winter turns into a bright spring, I want to thank you for your support and passion for our mission of conservation and preservation. It is more important than ever before as we strive to confront what is likely the greatest challenge of our time—climate change. The state senate unanimously passed its Nextgeneration Climate Policy, in order to promote mitigation of the effects of our changing climate through natural solutions. Taking these actions to protect, restore, and manage land will help reduce and remove carbon emissions, allow communities to be more resilient, and help our state be a national leader. The Trustees has long been a frontrunner in this area with our extensive coastal initiatives, as well as ongoing projects at many of our properties, including restoring the flood plain at Bartholomew’s Cobble, tree removal and planting at World’s End, and innovative agricultural practices designed to improve carbon sequestration at all of our farms, as just a few examples. We will continue planning and implementing innovative solutions to save and protect the iconic and most exceptional places in Massachusetts for public use. Our team constantly inspires me with the work they do to ensure the best possible care of our reservations by showcasing their expertise and setting the standard for excellence in stewardship.

It’s through these efforts, and those of the teams before us, that we are able to recognize some major milestones at a number of our properties this year. The 75th anniversary of the gift of Crane Beach will be celebrated with a special commemoration in June. 2020 also marks the 50th anniversaries of the picturesque Appleton Farms Grass Rides, Norris Reservation, and Shattuck Reservation becoming Trustees properties; and the 20th anniversaries of the donations of 206-acre Dry Hill in New Marlborough and the former coastal agricultural landscape of Slocum’s River Reserve. This year is notable also for The Old Manse in Concord, which was built 250 years ago in 1770 for patriot minister William Emerson, just five years before the first shots in the Revolutionary War rang out a few steps away at North Bridge. Spring is always a wonderful time to get back out into the fresh air and explore all that our 118 reservations have to offer. We hope to see you at our Daffodil and Tulip Festivals at Naumkeag and The Stevens-Coolidge Place, where we’ve planted thousands of additional bulbs to brighten these historic estates. They are sure to be spectacular displays of color and a great way to start the season. And if you’d like to enjoy the warm spring air with your family for a few days, consider a camping trip at Rocky Woods in Medfield where, thanks to our good friends at REI, we have now have 15 campsites, each with a fire pit and picnic table, and updated restrooms and shower facilities. The only way we can do what we do and carry out our mission of protecting and preserving our collective heritage and the Commonwealth’s most special places is through your support. Thank you for being a Member of The Trustees—we are ever grateful. Warm Regards,

©KRISTA PHOTOGRAPHY

Trustees President & CEO, Barbara Erickson, joins Board Chair Peter Coffin (left) in congratulating 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award winner Richard Lombard at the recent Annual Meeting & Dinner.

Barbara J. Erickson President & CEO

Recent stewardship highlights.

Major milestones of conservation.

Spring Instagram faves.

We’re Working on It!

Map of Reservations

#thetrustees

SPRING 2020

CARBON CENTRAL ADVANCING NATURE-BASED WAYS OF CURBING CLIMATE CHANGE

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by JEFF HARDER

In January, under the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House, state senators unanimously passed the Next Gen Climate bill, a piece of legislation calling for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It was a significant moment, not just because the bill ratchets up the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas reduction targets—previously set to curb emissions by 80 percent compared to 1990 levels— but because it spells out a tool to achieve them: natural climate solutions.

THE TRUSTEES

©J. MONKMAN

The Great Marsh restoration project aims to fortify salt marsh which over time has been compromised by historic ditching, an agricultural practice dating back to early colonial days and used up until the early 1900s. By the late 1930s nearly 94% of New England salt marshes had been ditched, and today the remnants of these ditches continue to disrupt natural tidal flow by destroying draining processes and leaving the area increasingly vulnerable to floods and sealevel rise. In order to ‘heal’ these ditches, The Trustees and partners are using a new, nature-based method which, to date, has only been piloted on a very limited basis on the neighboring Parker River Wildlife Refuge (US Fish & Wildlife Service). Ultimately the full project will involve 330 acres of salt marsh, including Trustees properties in Newbury, Essex, and Ipswich, along with 30 acres within a state-owned Wildlife Management Area.

“We can serve as proof of concept and say we’ve done these things with our farms, our salt marshes, our forests—it’s working really well.”

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Natural climate solutions are ways of harnessing the world’s existing ecosystems— forests, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural soils—to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The techniques themselves are legion, from replanting bare forests and city streets with suitable tree species to restoring wetlands to using lessintensive agricultural practices. They provide holistic, science-backed benefits: fewer landuse-related emissions, improved crop yields, reduced soil erosion, and the fostering of healthy, biodiverse habitats that are resilient to extreme storms and other looming impacts of climate change. And instead of requiring years of research and millions of dollars to develop and deploy, natural climate solutions are already in service around the world—including across The Trustees’ portfolio of 118 properties. “Natural climate solutions really range from how we manage 3,000 acres at Notchview, to how we manage barrens habitats, salt marshes, and grasslands, to green infrastructure solutions for cities and towns,” says Julie Richburg, The Trustees’ Lead Ecologist for Inland Natural Resources. Now, Trustees has become an advocate for incorporating natural and working lands into the state’s climate approach. Thanks to a coalition led by The Nature Conservancy, Mass Audubon, and The Trustees, lawmakers included language calling for several provisions related to natural climate solutions in the Next Gen Climate bill—most importantly, gathering

baseline measurements of the carbon currently sequestered in Massachusetts lands and finding new strategies to increase that carbon storage. As the bill moves forward, land conservation, conscientious forest management, rotational grazing, cover crops, salt marsh restoration, and other natural climate solutions in use across Trustees properties showcase the promise of these practices, demonstrating to landowners in New England and beyond that simple, thoughtful, nature-based approaches to curbing climate change are worth adopting. “We can serve as proof of concept and say we’ve done these things with our farms, our salt marshes, our forests—it’s working really well,” says Linda Orel, Trustees Director of Policy, who drafted legislative language and lobbied lawmakers to include the natural

climate solutions policy. “And it’s not only about whether we can do this on Trustees land in Massachusetts: we can be national leaders.”

INTO THE WOODS Trees are among the most powerful carbon sinks in Massachusetts, and the reason why is straight from middle-school science class. “We can think of natural climate solutions as just leveraging the power of photosynthesis, the basic biological function of how plants work,” says Maria Janowiak, Deputy Director of the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS), who has helped Trustees analyze forest vulnerabilities as well as resilience-building interventions. Plants absorb carbon dioxide through their

“It’s not only about whether we can do this on Trustees land in Massachusetts: we can be national leaders.”

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“If a solution is reforestation, it’s going to take some time for those trees to grow.”

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leaves; sequester it in their roots, trunks, and underlying soil; and bear fruit and release oxygen in exchange. Forests already capture about 15 percent of U.S. emissions each year, according to The Nature Conservancy. But amplifying that carbon-capturing potential requires site-specific approaches, not simply letting every forest run wild. “That’s where we can look at our conservation and management practices, and allow the natural succession of these forests to occur [either] without additional management, or with a more hands-on approach to address threats that negatively impact the health and resiliency of our forests,” says Richburg.

THE TRUSTEES

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“...IF YOU KEEP VEGETATIVE GRASSES HIGHER, The Trustees restoration of a floodplain forest at Bartholomew’s Cobble in Sheffield is a prime example. Nineteenth-century farmers cleared trees for pasture and hayfields right up to the banks of the Housatonic River, but without trees to stabilize the soil, frequent storms and heavy rains produced critical levels of erosion. “That was one of the first projects where we had that climate focus and an eye toward improving a priority natural community,” Richburg says. “We thought, how can we help hold some of those soils in place and provide more habitat for species that use floodplain forest?” In 2016, Trustees completed a restoration of the floodplain, planting 1,700 trees—mostly silver maple and species like boxelder, sycamore, and cottonwood—across ten acres while controlling for invasive species, efforts intended to grow a forest over time, stabilize soil, mitigate flooding, and sequester carbon. In 2018, Trustees worked with NIACS and others to create a ten-year forest stewardship plan for its largest property, Notchview Reservation in the Berkshires, with an emphasis on climate adaptation and forest resilience. Based on a forest inventory of the more than 3,000 acres at Notchview, the plan outlines a path to resiliency amidst a changing climate and its expected impacts on forest ecosystems. By assessing and addressing current and coming threats like future loss of tree species, the plan offers a roadmap for where The Trustees should be

active and deliberate, and where existing forests should remain diverse and resilient without substantial intervention. Other properties might require far different efforts. “It’s very situationally dependent,” Richburg says. “It comes down to your goal for an individual property, and how you manage carbon while addressing its native biodiversity.” Proper management, in fact, can create a range of fortuitous consequences. Harvesting trees for house framing or furniture—instead of paper or firewood—can store carbon for decades or centuries. Those harvests can also promote complexity and resilience within forests: when older trees disappear, younger specimens, which tend to absorb carbon more quickly and benefit native wildlife, grow to take their place. “There’s a growing recognition that these actions don’t need to conflict,” Janowiak says, “and that there are lot of opportunities to sequester carbon while providing a lot of other benefits.”

GRAZING THE SURFACE While trees are front and center, natural climate solutions demand an allencompassing strategy. In Ipswich, Trustees is in the midst of a massive restoration at the 20,000-acre Great Marsh, the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England. (For an in-depth look at this work, see the Spring 2019 issue of Special Places.) And while grasslands and agricultural properties comprise a much smaller portion of the state’s natural landscapes—and, ultimately, play minor roles with regard to natural climate solutions—rethinking how farmers

Robert’s Meadow Brook runs through a portion of 1,000 acres of forest in Westhampton and neighboring towns that was recently conserved by a consortium of seven conservation groups including The Trustees— which is all part of the largest contiguous forested area in Massachusetts. Protecting contiguous forest is a critical way to maintain optimal carbon sequestration effectiveness, and efforts are ongoing to conserve more of this important forested acreage in the Pioneer Valley and Hilltowns area.

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YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEQUESTER MORE CARBON.” work the land could also enhance the terrain’s carbon-capture power. Alongside planting cover crops and employing no- or reduced-till agricultural practices, rotational grazing—regularly moving livestock to different pastures as opposed to turning animals out onto a single patch of land for an extended period of time— is getting a fresh look at Trustees farms. “It’s all a matter of surface area: if you keep vegetative grasses higher, you can actually sequester more carbon,” says Kevin Channell, Trustees’ Director of Agricultural Operations. Trustees employs rotational grazing practices on some 500 acres of agricultural properties across Massachusetts: Moose Hill Farm in Sharon, Powisset Farm in Dover, Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, and Appleton Farms in Ipswich. Cows, sheep, and goats visit new grasslands at least once a week and as often as once a day, lending each parcel a roughly 30-day “rest period” between grazings. At Appleton Farms, temporary fencing subdivides a 140-acre paddock into smaller sections, which multiply in size based on how often the animals are relocated: 50 head of cattle that move to a new pasture each day require 1.4 acres, and 14 acres if they move each week. In general, Channell says, staff aim to leave behind roughly four to five inches of residual grass. Rotational grazing provides a range of cobenefits: the costs associated with mowing go down, while fresh grass translates to healthier animals and, ultimately, higherquality meat and dairy products. “We’re convinced that this is a better life for a cow,” Channell says.

At the same time, Trustees is putting rotational grazing under a microscope. After establishing a baseline of organic carbon stored in the soil at Appleton Farms, staff will take samples over the coming growing seasons to gauge the true effects of rotational grazing; Channell expects Appleton’s soils to have absorbed twice as much carbon as a continuously grazed landscape. He hopes the research persuades farmers that these agro-ecology techniques are worthwhile—and helps lawmakers create tax benefits and other incentives to keep working farmlands intact while performing a valuable sustainability service.

Julie Richburg, The Trustees’ Lead Ecologist for Inland Natural Resources, inspects old-growth forest in the Hilltowns area.

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A PATH FORWARD It’s hard to overstate the role of natural climate solutions in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Even in a world that’s gone all-in on clean power, staving off warmest-yearon-record declarations requires removing greenhouse gases from an already-saturated atmosphere. “Right now, the only feasible way to remove carbon pollution from the air is to enhance and improve our reliance on critical natural resources,” says Linda Orel. As the Senate’s climate bill winds toward the Massachusetts legislature’s second chamber—and, perhaps, the desk of Governor Charlie Baker—The Trustees is suited for a variety of roles, Orel adds. The organization would work with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to create policies and incentives for private landowners to adopt nature-based methods of carbon capture and sequestration. Trustees staff can

offer input on how to balance conservation and development, and develop strategies that pair greenhouse gas sequestration with resiliency—natural extensions of The Trustees’ core mission. But while natural climate solutions are ready to be put to work, implementing them as part of a broader climate strategy comes with a degree of urgency. “If a solution is reforestation, it’s going to take some time for those trees to grow,” Orel says. On the long march toward a resilient future, in other words, the first steps must come today. The Trustees is working to help plot the course. Jeff Harder is a freelance writer and editor who lives in New England.

SPRING 2020

Taking the Lead

Sharing Trustees Trails with our Furry Friends

Whether being out for a peaceful stroll or a spirited romp, visiting Trustees reservations with a dog is always a treat. Dog-walking provides a great way to get fresh air and exercise—for both our furry friends and their human caretakers—as well as the chance to switch off and enjoy the natural world around us. Letting your dog take the lead and watching as they sniff and respond to the trail ahead, the environment around, and the sounds of the forest or shore can be a serene reminder to enjoy the moment and appreciate being away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. 8

THE TRUSTEES

Trustees is historically a dog-friendly conservation organization that balances public use and enjoyment with natural and cultural resource protection, and dog-walkers are among our most frequent visitors. On any given day, at most of our special places across the state, scores of pups and their owners can be seen frolicking on our trails. “We love dogs at The Trustees and are proud to be one of the only conservation organizations that welcomes dogs at a majority of our sites,” says Barbara Erickson, Trustees President & CEO.

At the same time, people and dogs pose a significant environmental burden on natural resources, and the organization has acknowledged that more comprehensive standards are needed in order to ensure habitat and resource protection. In response, Trustees has undergone a detailed, multi-year assessment—which has shown that increased visitation by people and dogs has generated considerable impact on certain habitats and overall visitor enjoyment—and, as a result, has established new guidelines and procedures for dog walkers. Members and visitors will start to see refreshed policy information in communications and on signage as they head out on our trails this spring. ©J. MONKMAN

WHAT TO EXPECT Beginning in April, details about dogfriendly properties—as well as specific permissions and restrictions, community programs, and activities for visitors with dogs—will be available on the Trustees website. All properties will also receive new signage designating dog walking policies, permissions, and guidelines for each individual reservation. While dogs will continue to be welcome at the majority of Trustees reservations, some properties like farms, beaches, and public gardens will become more restrictive to dogs in order to protect livestock, farm fields, wildlife nesting grounds, and horticultural resources. Other natural, more remote recreational sites will change to allow dogs off-leash at all times. The majority of reservations will remain or be designated as on-leash, some with dog-friendly zones or special seasonal designations, to accommodate the specific needs of the property and its visitors.

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BE MINDFUL Trustees asks that our visitors practice mindful dog-walking behaviors, summarized as following these three R’s: Recognize Many of our visitors tell us they prefer not being approached by unleashed dogs, regardless of the owners’ pleas that “my dog is friendly, don’t worry!” Their enjoyment of the property is as important as yours or your dog’s. Recognize that others might not be comfortable around dogs; share the trail and ask first before letting your dog approach others. Respect The Trustees mission is to protect and preserve our landscapes, flora, and fauna, and our ecologists and stewards conduct ongoing projects at the vast majority of our reservations to improve habitats, repair trails after storms, remove invasive species, and more. Respect our conservation efforts; show that you support our work by keeping your dog from disturbing wildlife and vegetation. Remove Any conversation about dog-walking involves the unavoidable subject of poop. Besides being unsightly and an annoyance

“We look forward to ensuring a safe and positive experience for our visitors and Members, with and without dogs.” —Barbara Erickson, President & CEO © @ NEW ENGLAND TRAIL DOGS; HIKE TRUSTEES

when it is left on our trails, doggie-do is bad for the environment and for wildlife. Dog owners know that one of the responsibilities of caring for their pets is taking care of what they leave behind. Remove your dog’s poop; bring bags, pick it up, and carry it out! With more mindful dog-walking behaviors and heightened attention to Trustees’ policies at our 118 reservations, we believe that negative impacts of pups and their people will gradually abate, making for a more pleasant experience for everyone sharing

the trail. “We look forward to ensuring a safe and positive experience for our visitors and Members, with and without dogs,” says Erickson, “and at the same time promoting greater protection of our fragile natural and cultural resources.” For a list of our reservations and their specific designations for visitation by dogs, visit thetrustees.org/dogs.

SPRING 2020

Ahhh...

Take a deep breath of nature.

Camp with us!

Tully Lake Campground, Royalston Dunes’ Edge Campground, Provincetown Rocky Woods, Medfield

thetrustees.org ©J. BURK

THE STEVENS-COOLIDGE PLACE North Andover

REI Outdoor School REI Outdoor School classes and outings combine professional instruction with hands-on practice in the field. Now you can try a new outdoor skill or adventure and enjoy your favorite Trustees property.

Visit thetrustees.org/rei for a full class list. © ABBY PHOTOGRAPHY

THE TRUSTEES

uncertainty of future programming possibilities, we decided to remove the calendar from this issue of Special Places rather than

print information which would likely be out of date by the time you receive it in your home.

We are hopeful that many of our amazing programs will return very

soon. We are keeping our website updated with the latest information and will send announcements via email and social media about the return of our programs and events. Be sure to follow @TheTrustees on your favorite social media platform, and if you haven’t signed up for our e-Newsletter and would like to receive our announcements, please visit thetrustees.org/enews. Stay connected with us! We’re hard at work creating virtual activities and programs during this crisis. Check out our many games, crafts, garden tips, and other helpful ideas for Trustees Things To Do while you stay safe at home. We’re updating our ideas daily, at thetrustees.org/athome. Stay safe and be well! Your friends at The Trustees

THINGS TO DO

the recent cancellations due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the

SPRING 2020

You’re probably wondering where our spring calendar is. Given

April | May | June

Dear Members,

SPRING 2020

But finding an entry point to the art world has little to do with knowing the difference between Impressionism and Expressionism, and more to do with marshaling our intuition and simply looking at what’s in front of us. “Sometimes people think that you have to know facts about the art to have a good time in an art museum,” says Julie Bernson, The Trustees’ Associate Director of Education. “All you really need is your own imagination, experience, and interests to make connections and create conversation.” Much the same is true in learning about and appreciating our collective histories and culture. Letting your child’s curiosity lead your conversations forges a shared spirit of discovery, and helps build a lifelong love of learning. With a wide range of family-friendly attractions and activities in the worlds of art, history, and culture, Trustees strives to engage families across its properties and foster new generations of cultural stewards.

Sculpting

ALFRESCO ART APPRECIATION

Creating the next generation of cultural stewards

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CURIOUS MINDS BY MEAGHAN FLAHERTY, TRUSTEES STAFF

For any mother or father hoping to raise a wellrounded child, instilling a love of art is essential. Countless studies show that early and frequent exposure to the arts and culture are imperative for a child’s development. At the same time, children and parents alike get stuck on how to “correctly” interpret and learn about works of creativity, potentially turning a leisurely trip to a museum or gallery into an exercise in apprehension and inadequacy. 12

THE TRUSTEES

Situated on 30 acres in Lincoln, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum inspires, educates, and delights with contemporary art from New England and beyond through sculptures and changing museum exhibitions. Both inside and outside, The Trustees’ newest reservation—the largest park of its kind in New England—is a magical, welcoming destination for children to learn and engage with art. The best place for budding art aficionados to begin is deCordova’s outdoor Sculpture Park: the museum provides Family Activity Kits, or bring along your own drawing materials, and explore. Along the way, parents can pepper their children with simple, imagination-sparking questions. What does this sculpture make you think of? What material do you think it’s made from? How do you think the artist made it? Why do you think they placed the sculpture here? For unique hands-on experiences inside the museum, visit The Lab and Process Gallery, where interactive stations boost understanding and engagement for children and adults alike. deCordova’s expert

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deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum offers loads of programs and classes for kids to explore and discover art.

educators also offer art-making programs for all ages—from toddlers on up—throughout the year. Upon returning home, clear off the kitchen table, pull out the markers and construction paper, and encourage your children to make their own masterpieces. “Making something while you are there or when you get home is the best way to really understand how an artist gets ideas and uses materials to express them,” Bernson says.

Art & the Landscape Want to get even more interactive with art? TunnelTeller, at the Crane Estate, challenges the viewer’s notions of space and perception and encourages children to explore and play while taking in a unique art-based experience. The installation is part of the Trustees’ ongoing Art & the Landscape series, a multi-year initiative to share compelling contemporary art in the context of our iconic landscapes with Members and visitors. Visit thetrustees.org/art for details about this and upcoming installations.

FROM INDIGENOUS CULTURES TO LITTLE WOMEN Fruitlands Museum, founded in 1914 by Clara Endicott Sears, comprises a wealth of galleries and historic buildings—and serves as a natural attraction for young minds on a culture-focused journey. Tour the Fruitlands Farmhouse with your children and experience the inspiration for Little Women— authored by Louisa May Alcott, who lived in the farmhouse as a young girl—before discussing the book and its themes with your little women (or little men). Visiting the Native American Museum, which houses a significant collection of artifacts honoring indigenous New England cultures, can instill respect and appreciation for native peoples from an early age. Ongoing exhibits like One Thousand Generations and Objects and Meaning: Multiple Perspective on Native American Art and Culture enlighten visitors and open up themes of indigenous history in our area for discussion. Meanwhile, the Art Museum, which features more than 100 Hudson River School landscape paintings, provides a historyfocused contrast to nearby deCordova. While exploring the property, ask your children about the styles and mediums on display.

Giving children the opportunity to interact with exhibitions, like the recent Inhabiting Folk Portraits at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, encourages more engagement with art and our cultural places.

And the museum often adds kid-focused elements to exhibits, including dress up, craftmaking, and photography stations to prompt engaging interactions and hands-on fun.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING From the Crane Estate to Naumkeag and destinations in between, Trustees offers tours and adventures for every taste and persuasion—including a look at how the architects, artisans, and craftspeople behind its historic properties used a remarkably diverse assortment of ephemeral inspirations to create lasting legacies. Simply walking through historic houses and learning about those who built and inhabited them inspires imagination and curiosity, while playing a game of “Eye Spy” helps keep children engaged with the artifacts and architectural details. Helping children cultivate a fondness for arts and culture is remarkably simple. Follow your child’s interests. Encourage them to express their own creativity. Explore widely and nurture their curiosity. Ask questions and listen to their answers. One day, before you know it, they’ll be ones to start the conversation.

SPRING 2020

farm futures TRUSTEES PEOPLE

firm Q:

Q&A:

Kevin Channell,

Director of Agricultural Operations As Director of Agricultural Operations, Kevin Channell oversees strategy and supervises vegetable and livestock operations for The Trustees’ six working farms to deliver more enriching food and farm-based experiences for the organization’s Members and visitors.

BY GENEVIEVE RAJEWSKI

Q: What brought you to The Trustees? A: I was intrigued by the opportunity to take an agriculture program involving both enterprise and statewide land-use practice and policy to the next level. The Trustees is in a great position to move the needle and make a significant impact on the agricultural industry, both here in Massachusetts and across New England. Q: What are you most excited about in this new role? A: The Trustees’ perspective on perpetual conservation of significant properties means that we hold farms situated in some markets that are in very close proximity to a lot of consumers. We have access to land that presents opportunities that other farms may not have because farm real estate is so 14

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Q: Tell us about your professional roots. A: I started off as a farmer growing organic produce in Fairlee, Vermont. My wife and I built that farm from the ground up, selling both direct-to-consumer and wholesale from 2005 to 2013. After we had our twins and sold the farm, I did some M.B.A. work and joined the farm credit system as a loan officer for Yankee Farm Credit. I saw a path into farm business planning through the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program.

expensive in these areas. We can make a sincere best-practices quality claim around the food that we procure and produce— and ensure consumers know about real, local food that can be produced on Trustees land forever. Q: What does the future hold? A: The Trustees will continue to play an important role in keeping farm properties in agricultural use. If and when we acquire more farmland, we may or may not want to actively manage the farms. In some instances, we may elect to establish an enhanced lease relationship that provides land access to a local farmer, broadens their access to marketing, or ensures custom production for

our constituents. In exchange for running their business in a manner consistent with Trustees practices and values, we would provide them with access to land and markets that they otherwise couldn’t afford. Q: What gives you the biggest thrill in your work? A: I had a big sports background growing up, both in high school and into college. There’s a sport to business—a competitive quality—that keeps me intrigued. But I’m also an agrarian at heart, and the ability for me to continue to do work that advances agriculture and its benefits to local economies and local communities keeps me driven at a mission level.

Jamie Picard

It all started at Cornell Farm. Working hard to share her love of the outdoors with then-3-year-old daughter Morgan, Jamie Picard headed out in search of new places for the two to hike. Stopping at the Trustees reservation in Dartmouth, she spotted the ‘t’ logo on the welcome sign and decided to look us up to see what other places we might offer for hiking—and that’s when she got very excited. She spotted Hike Trustees (then called Hike 125, in honor of The Trustees’ recent 125th Anniversary) and decided to join the Challenge. She and Morgan visited 106 reservations that year—with Morgan starting on Jamie’s back but by year’s end hiking as much as seven miles on her own—

and they handily took first place in the Family Hikers category. When a job at Powisset Farm appeared online that year, Jamie jumped at the chance to join the organization that she had gotten to know so well. The Powisset staff soon realized they had a real force of nature on their team, and a passionate advocate of the outdoors, especially for children. “Technology is killing childhood,” says Jamie, pointing out that “kids will never remember their best day of TV!” Today you’ll find Jaime at the farm or at nearby Rocky Woods, taking care of just about everything the two properties offer—she runs the summer camp program Farmer,

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FORCES OF nature Jamie sometimes gets to help with the goats at Chestnut Hill Farm, too!

Forester, Chef! (and is expanding it this year,) she teaches kids cooking classes, helps lead Brew Moon Hikes, and lends an extra hand wherever one might be needed. If you want to try an overnight at the expanded camping facilities at Rocky Woods, it’ll probably be Jamie who will get you set up and then check in on you the next morning! We encourage you to get to know Jamie—you, too, will be captivated by her enthusiasm for nature and irresistible love of the outdoors.

2019 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Richard Lombard

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For the last six years, Richard Lombard has been a constant presence at Ward Reservation in Andover and North Andover. As a devoted volunteer and the property’s nest box monitor, Richard oversees some 40 bluebird boxes and two kestrel boxes, spending early mornings, hot days, and late nights compiling data about the property’s avian life, then entering it into the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch database. “You see the birds build nests, lay eggs, the young leaving—it’s an amazing thing and I just find it exciting,” says Richard, a scientist by training, and passionate outdoorsman who’s handy with a canoe paddle—and now The Trustees Volunteer of the Year. Richard discovered Ward Reservation in the 1980s, when he first hiked what has since

become 700 acres of diverse habitats. And while he occasionally leads hikes during the property’s fall and winter events, the Haverhill resident grows most animated when talking birds. “2019 was a banner year,” he says: five kestrels fledged from Ward, the first ever to do so since their nest boxes were installed a few years ago. “Wildlife in general is having a tough time—loss of habitat, pesticides, you name it. But it’s nice to help out and try, in the long term, to reverse things and make them better.” Visit thetrustees.org/volunteer for a list of current and upcoming opportunities to lend a hand and be of service to a Trustees reservation near you.

SPRING 2020

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

2019 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

In 2019, our Stewardship teams’ accomplishments across the state included these projects— among many others—that have considerably enhanced the wellbeing of our reservations.

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6 1 Castle Hill on the Crane Estate Ipswich Repairs and updates were needed to sustain the integrity of three of Castle Hill’s most prominent buildings—the Great House, the Barn, and the Inn at Castle Hill. The Great House received exterior painting and window updates, as well as roof and gutter repairs. The exterior of the Inn was painted and roof repairs were performed, and at the Barn, a new floor was installed.

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Keeping Trustees special places maintained to the organization’s longestablished high standards takes diligent effort from the statewide Stewardship team. The Trustees team takes pride in the results of its strict assessment process for every aspect of the properties in its care, including buildings, landscapes, trails, roads, parking areas, and more. Each year, Stewardship crews clear and rebuild trails, repair structures, and proactively update systems to plan for the future. Some of these projects are highly visible and you can view the progress when you visit your favorite place. Others are harder to see, addressing environmental changes or identified risks that are critical to public safety and the continuing enjoyment of the land.

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We’re Working on It!

2 Francis William Bird Park Walpole Bird Park’s music court has served as an outdoor performance area since 1926. To keep this important community space viable for years to come, Trustees stewards restored the masonry—including repointing the perimeter walls, improving and reroofing the two buildings, and repairing the exposed aggregate rear stage.

2 3 Fork Factory Brook Medfield The fields at Fork Factory Brook are farmed for additional vegetable production for the community supported agriculture (CSA) program at nearby Powisset Farm and for the Trustees Mobile Market, which provides fresh, locally grown food for several neighborhoods of Boston. To improve irrigation resources for these fertile fields—which have been used for agriculture since the 18th Century—Trustees stewards worked with the town and a local drilling firm to establish a new, more productive water supply. (Ed. Note: For information on Trustees CSA programs, visit thetrustees.org/ shares.) 4 Naumkeag Stockbridge To better protect and preserve the Naumkeag’s

ALL PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE ©TRUSTEES

5 exceptional collections, Trustees stewards installed humidistatically controlled heating at the National Historic Landmark. This system regulates moisture by delivering low levels of heat when humidity rises, helping to eliminate mold growth, stop paint from peeling, and hinder the delamination of wallpaper. 5 Noanet Woodlands Dover Noanet Woodlands’ 17 miles of shady trails are enjoyed by hikers, runners, dog walkers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, cross-country skiers, and more. A labor-intensive project was launched to repair erosion damage to one of the most popular trails—Noanet Peak Trail—caused by natural forces of water flowing through the area. The Trustees’ trails team, site team, and volunteers came together to reconstruct the trail, just south of

Noanet Peak, making it safe to use again by the reservation’s many visitors. 6 World’s End Hingham In order to maintain the integrity of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed landscape, Trustees staff has needed to respond to a variety of conditions caused by natural elements over time. New drainage was installed along the carriage roads to greatly reduce erosion problems. Extensive assessment of the property’s trees revealed nearly 50 that were either invasive species, in poor health, or at the end of their natural life spans. Those trees were removed, and stewards have replaced them with more than 80 new trees selected specifically to maintain the character of the carriage roads and respect the biodiversity of the landscape.

These are just a few of the dozens of projects Trustees stewards undertake each year in order to maintain our special places and keep our landscapes viable for generations to come. To see highlights of new and ongoing examples of conservation work in action at your favorite reservations across the state, visit thetrustees.org/conservation.

SPRING 2020

In 1945, Florence Higinbotham Crane (widow of Richard T. Crane, Jr.) had the foresight to donate 1,000 acres—which included her incredible beach and the dunes of Castle Neck in Ipswich—to The Trustees for use and enjoyment by the general public, forever. Now, 75 years later, we remain ever grateful to Florence and to the many other generous donors of open space, historic estates, gardens, and inspiring landscapes over our organization’s 129-year history. Help us celebrate nine noteworthy anniversaries of land conservation gifts in 2020, giving our thanks to the donors for their generous spirit and gifts to us all—and maybe visiting one or more again or for the first time!

75th Anniversary CRANE BEACH, IPSWICH PROTECTED IN 1945 With its clean, inviting water, miles of shoreline, and mesmerizing views, Crane Beach, one of the finest beaches and outdoor recreation destinations on the East Coast, is the first beach to to come under Trustees care and the 20th reservation protected by the organization overall. It has been a favorite for generations of ocean-loving families and an important space for the protection of endangered shorebirds, particularly the Piping Plover. Celebrate the Crane 75th on Saturday, June 20 with a special family day at the beach. thetrustees.org/crane75

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CELEBRATING CONSERVATION

Special Anniversaries for Some Very Special Places

50th Anniversary SHATTUCK RESERVATION, MEDFIELD PROTECTED IN 1970 Like adjacent Noon Hill, Shattuck Reservation’s old stone walls indicate that it was once 19th-century pasture. Today, it is made up of a forested upland neck of oak and pine overlooking a wet meadow and red maple swamp. Follow the trail link across Causeway Street from Noon Hill, to a lookout across the Charles River to Marshview Point, a 10-acre finger of upland nearly surrounded by floodplain. Shattuck is part of a network of Trustees properties linked by the Charles River, and a favorite of paddlers.

50th Anniversary APPLETON FARMS GRASS RIDES, HAMILTON PROTECTED IN 1970 With more than five miles of wide carriage paths bordered by woods, Appleton Farms Grass Rides was originally designed for horseback riding. Like a wagon wheel, five “rides” (an English term for carriage path) meet in a central clearing called the “Roundpoint,” where a large granite pinnacle salvaged from the demolition of the former Harvard College Library stands as a silent sentry. This family-friendly network of grassy trails provides an ideal environment for walking, exploring, and nature watching.

50th Anniversary NORRIS RESERVATION, NORWELL PROTECTED IN 1970 Hike Norris’s two miles of easy trails past a former mill pond, cross a wetlands boardwalk, and explore a forest of pine

and oak on your way to salt marsh and a boathouse on the banks of the tidal North River—a National Natural Landmark and a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Scenic River. Within the reservation’s interior, the Gordon’s Pond boardwalk can put kids at a water bug’s level.

McLennan Reservation Ashintully Gardens Dry Hill

Ashley House

rrim

Little Tom Mountain

Tyringham Cobble

Land of Providence

Swift River Reservation

Quabbin Reservoir

Rock House Reservation Dinosaur Footprints

Springfield

Questing

Coolidge Reservation Agassiz Rock Misery Islands Crowninshield Island Gerry Island

Long Hill

Worcester

Chestnut Hill Farm

Ch a r l e s

Tantiusques

Boston Community Gardens & Parks City Natives

Boston

Gov. Hutchinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Field & Pierce Reservation

Cormier Woods

Massachusetts Bay

Francis William Bird Park

Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End Weir River Farm

Bradley Estate Signal Hill Archives & Research Center Moose Hill Farm

Whitney & Thayer Woods Norris Reservation Two Mile Farm

Gov. Ames Estate

Peaked Mountain

Moraine Farm

Fruitlands The Old Manse Museum Dexter deCordova Drumlin Sculpture Park and Museum

Quinebaug Woods

Bartholomewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cobble

Malcolm Preserve

Monument Mountain

I-4

Farandnear

The Mission House

Goose Pond Reservation

Mount Warner

Naumkeag

C o n n e c t i cu t

Petticoat Hill

Glendale Falls

Redemption Rock

Pine & Hemlock Knoll

Chesterfield Gorge

Elliott Laurel

North Common Meadow

Chapel Brook

Bryant Homestead

Bearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Den

Bullitt Reservation

Charles W. Ward Reservation

Bear Swamp Notchview

The Stevens-Coolidge Place Doyle Community Park & Center

Ri v e r

Jacobs Hill Doaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Falls

Appleton Farms & Weir Hill Grass Rides

Royalston Falls Field Farm

Old Town Hill Greenwood Farm Hamlin Reservation Stavros Reservation The Crane Estate (Castle Hill, Crane Beach & Crane Wildlife Refuge) Halibut Point Reservation Mount Ann Park

Ravenswood Park

R. ack

Mountain Meadow Preserve

Dunesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Edge Campground

Holmes Reservation

Cape Cod Bay

10th Anniversary Lyman East Over Reserve Reservation and CHESTNUT HILL FARM, Copicut Hales Brook & Sippican Woods River Tract SOUTHBOROUGH Lowell Holly Allen C. Haskell PROTECTED IN 2010 Public Gardens Mashpee River Westport Reservation Town Farm Trek through 170 acres, past rolling Cornell Farm Nantucket Sound fields and pastures framed by stone Slocumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s River Reserve Cape Poge walls, and explore scenic woodlands at Wildlife Refuge Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge this working farm, which was saved from Menemsha Hills Mytoi development in the 1960s through the Wasque Long Point Wildlife Norton Point Refuge Beach dedication of a local family. Today the farm The FARM Institute runs its popular, certified-organic CSA from early summer through early winter and provides a wealth of programming and events with a focus on helping families connect with nature, animals, and the working farm. A seasonal farm stand is also open to the public throughout the year.

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20th Anniversary DRY HILL, NEW MARLBOROUGH PROTECTED IN 2000 This wooded reservation is part of a complex of rocky summits, ridgelines, and valleys that are known collectively as Dry Hill. An oak forest covers the upper slopes and ridge tops, and its 200+ acres are part of a larger landscape of contiguous forest that serves as critical habitat for large mammals as well as many species of woodland birds, including the black-throated blue warbler.

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20th Anniversary SLOCUMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RIVER RESERVE, DARTMOUTH PROTECTED IN 2000 Thread your way through woodlands and cross open fields that descend to one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loveliest tidal rivers. A longtime coastal farm and one of many such agricultural tracts that define South Dartmouth, the reserve offers a glimpse into the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural heritage and offers spectacular views of the South Coast and Buzzards Bay. The Trustees and Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust jointly own and manage the property.

10th Anniversary MORAINE FARM, BEVERLY PROTECTED IN 2010 Originally designed in 1880, Moraine Farm has been hailed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the finest existing example of Frederick Law Olmstedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to planning a country estateâ&#x20AC;? by pre-eminent Olmsted scholar Charles E. Beveridge. It was a testing ground for ideas the noted landscape architect would later execute on a grander scale at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and at Brooklynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prospect Park.

10th Anniversary EAST OVER: HALES BROOK & SIPPICAN RIVER TRACT, MARION PROTECTED IN 2010 Part of the larger landscape that includes nearby East Over Reservation, visitors can explore more of the scenic terrain from the trailhead for this tract on County Road. These 2.5 miles of trailâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;through forest owned by the Town of Marion and managed by The Trusteesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;traverse pine and oak uplands and unique wetland habitats. On the trail youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pass a dramatic rock outcropping emerging from the forest floor and walk along an extensive elevated boardwalk that gives up-close views of an ecologically sensitive area.

Please Note: This reservation is one of a handful that are not open for visitation. Moraine Farm is currently being leased to a nonprofit farming organization whose mission is to improve local, sustainable food systems by training the next generation of farmers.

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SPRING 2020

ICYMI #THETRUSTEES

You tag us. We

you!

“I am reminded of spring by the quality of the air. . . . It is a natural resurrection, an experience of immortality.” - Henry David Thoreau

find magic in the moment

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Reach for the Beach Two unique ways for Trustees Members to enjoy our beautiful coast.

Crane Beach Parking Permit

Oversand Vehicle Permits

Buy a permit anytime for $85 each.

Did you know every Oversand Vehicle Permit comes with a complimentary Family Membership?

- Expires at the same time as your Membership - Renew at the same time! For the best value, renew at the $165 Supporting level and get a complimentary permit! thetrustees.org/cranebeach

Did you also know they are available at a discount until April 30? Purchase yours for Cape Poge/ Wasque and Norton Point on Martha’s Vineyard or Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket thetrustees.org/OSV

The Trustees is Massachusetts’ largest, and the nation’s first, conservation and preservation nonprofit. We are supported by members, friends, and donors. Explore 118 amazing places across Massachusetts, from beaches, farms and woodlands, to historic homes, urban gardens and more. Barbara J. Erickson President & CEO Jocelyn Forbush Executive Vice President Paul Leech Chief, Finance & Administration Alicia Leuba Vice President, Eastern Region Matthew Montgomery Chief, Marketing & Engagement John B. Ravenal Vice President, Arts & Culture Artistic Director, deCordova Edward Wilson Chief of Development editorial Wayne Wilkins Director, Brand & Content Jeff Harder Editor Chris Costello Senior Graphic Designer

We invite your input, letters, and suggestions. Please send them to: Special Places | The Trustees 200 High Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02110 tel 978.921.1944 email marketing@thetrustees.org For information about becoming a member please contact us at 978.921.1944, email us at membership@thetrustees.org, or visit our website at www.thetrustees.org. Special Places, Spring 2020. Volume 28, Issue Number 1. Special Places (ISSN 1087-5026) is published quarterly and distributed to members and donors of The Trustees of Reservations. Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.

Matthew Mullin Graphic Designer Haley Nunes Graphic Designer Cindy Song Graphic Designer

Printed by Universal Wilde, an environmentally responsible printer in Massachusetts that strives to minimize waste, maximize recycling, and exceed environmental standards.

Income for Today, a Legacy for Tomorrow What if you could support The Trustees while also making your own retirement more financially secure? A charitable gift annuity with The Trustees is a gift that gives back—it can provide you and/or another beneficiary with stable income for life, reduce your tax burden, and help protect the Massachusetts landscapes and landmarks you love for generations to come. Current rates for single life annuity* Age 65...........4.7%

Age 70...........5.1% Age 75...........5.8% Age 80...........6.9% Age 85...........8.0% Age 90...........9.0%

* Rates effective January 1, 2020, and are subject to change. Two-life and deferred rates available upon request.

For a personalized illustration or more information, please contact Julie Lazarus at 617-542-7696 x1815 or mylegacy@thetrustees.org

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#thetrustees | A big Thank You to our Instagram followers who allowed us to print their spring photos, including @kira-mae, @lexidorz, @katezilla18, @beautisomehandful, @mary_eee, and @rockywoods.

SPRING 2020

THE TRUSTEES

200 High Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02110-3044

AN INSTAGRAM #THETRUSTEES FAVORITE.

WHERE WONDER HAPPENS Discovering the joys of spring. Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich

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