Opacum Land Trust
2011 - 2012 Event Calendar
Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Woods Forum
West Brookfield Town Hall
Your woods are valuable as woods. A Woods Forum brings landowners together to learn from one another, share experiences and advice, and meet local experts. Topics covered will include:
The new Massachusetts state income tax credit for land conservation.
Can you reduce your tax burden using Chapter 61B? Landowners of 5 or more contiguous acres interested in maintaining the land in a mostly natural, wild or open condition may be eligible. Assessment of forestland under Ch. 61B is 25% of the current assessed value of the land; public access or forest management is not required.
Do you need help paying for your Forest Management Plan? The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation can help you pay for forest management plans and on-the-ground stewardship activities.
Please join us to discuss these and other opportunities for your land. Refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP to Tyler Van Fleet, Coordinator for the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership via email: Tyler.VanFleet@gmail.com or call 207-939-7674
Woods Forum Sponsored by MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership & UMass Extension.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Joe Craig Speaks on local Nipmuc Peoples
Hitchcock Academy, Brimfield
The Opacum region is rich in Native American artifacts. Signs of the way they used the land can still be found but our current use of the same is endangering this history and the important stories that they tell. Join us this evening to hear Joe Craig speak about Native Americans and share artifacts he’s found over the years, as well as the way these items were made and how they were discovered. Joe is an excellent storyteller who illustrates his adventures growing up in the area and travels in search of artifacts. In addition to protecting land for wildlife, Opacum Land Trust also works to preserve sites of cultural significance and has much in common with Native American culture, including a shared love and respect for the land, flora and fauna.
$5 suggested donation, proceeds to benefit Opacum Land Trust & Hitchcock Academy. Please let us know if you plan on attending by calling 508-347-9144 or e-mail.
Thursday, March 29th, 2012 - 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Opacum’s Annual Meeting
Fins & Tales, 858 Main Street, Southbridge
Celebrate Opacum’s twelfth year with volunteers and friends who support YOUR local land trust! Enjoy delicious bites from the Fins menu, cash bar, live entertainment, fabulous door prizes and of course, great company. All are welcome, whether you’ve been a member since the beginning or are interested in learning what the Opacum is all about. Please let us know if you plan on attending by calling 508-347-9144 or e-mail.
Friday, April 6 -- 6:00 pm
Claire Birtz April Evening Walk
Trail Head, Tipton Rock Road, Southbridge
A naturalist-led hike through the woods of the Birtz Sanctuary as the sun sets and the moon graces the eastern sky. This is the second of a series of walks Opacum is offering here to relish the changing seasons. Sunset is at 7:28 pm and the Moon is full tonight!
We will meet at the trailhead on Tipton Rock Road at 6:00 pm. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Members are free, $5 for non-members. For more info, call 508-347-9144 or e-mail.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Opacum's 12th Perennial
Spring Plant Sale
8:00 am to noon
Watch for more details as we start to gather up trees, shrubs and perennials for our annual celebration of planting season. Keep us in mind as you start to uncover your own overgrown flowerbeds.
Have an idea for a walk or a talk? Let us know!
Need more info? Have an idea? Would you like a guest speaker from Opacum to visit your group? Call 508-347-9144 or e-mail us!