2010 Events: Celebrating Ten Years of Protecting Your Backyard

Can you believe it? Opacum is ten in 2010!  We're hosting a number of programs to celebrate this milestone with you.  After all, we wouldn't have made it this far without your support!

For more information, or to register for one of our events, call 508-347-9144 or e-mail info@opacumlt.org

Woods Walk at The Moynagh Tree Farm

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
6:00 pm

Join Opacum Land Trust and local forester Scott Gerrish for a Woods Walk
on September 15th at 6:00 PM, to be held at the Bob & Judy Moynagh Tree
Farm, 181 Podunk Road in Sturbridge MA. This 205 acre property has been
in the Moynagh Family since 1893. The Moynagh’s actively manage their
land to produce hay and forest products. Our tour will wind through woods
that produce both high quality sawtimber as well as firewood for home
heating. Although growing forest products in a sustainable manner is an
important objective, the owners also devote time and money to improving
wildlife habitat and preserving open space. In addition to learning about
good forestry practices, points of interest include a beaver pond/heron
rookery and the remains of a 52-inch diameter dead American Chestnut.
Although the walk is expected to stay on well maintained wood roads and
trails, participants should where appropriate attire for walking in the
woods and expect to hike about 2 miles on varied terrain.

Please call 508-347-9144 or info@opacumlt.org to let us know you plan on
attending.

 

HIstoric Flynt Quarry Guided Tour

Saturday, September 25, 2010
10:00am

In the heart of Monson lies the historic Flynt Quarry. Stunning granite
blocks were mined here as recently as the 1920s, and used to build local
landmarks such as Monson’s Memorial Hall & the Monson Library, as well as
structures in Springfield, MA, New York City and as far away as Kansas and
Iowa. How did workers get stones weighing thousands of pounds out of the
earth?

Mary Gage and James Gage have been researching stone structures in the
Northeast since 1992. On September 25th, they will lead a guided tour of
Monson’s Flynt Quarry with a focus on quarrying methods and technology and
how to identify signs of these activities in the field.

Their focus has been on historic agricultural farm structures, stone
quarrying technology & methods, and Native American ritual stone
structures and landscapes. They have authored journal articles, several
books, produced a forty minute documentary film, and maintain the website
www.stonestructures.org.

Their book The Art of Splitting Stone: Early Rock Quarrying Methods in
Pre-Industrial New England 1630-1825 (2nd edition) has become the standard
reference on the subject. It is consulted by stone masons, libraries,
researchers, and institutions in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Germany,
France, and Australia.

Admission is $5 per person, proceeds to support the Flynt Quarry Project.
Please call 508-347-9144 or email us at info@opacumlt.org to let us know
you plan on attending.

Please meet at the Monson High School,
55 Margaret Street, Monson

Opacum's Walktober Events

 

Nibbling on the Wild Landscape

Thursday, OCtober 7, 2010
3:00pm

Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of “Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten,” on an edible ramble to learn about at least 2-dozen species of edible wild plants. Several edible mushroom species may be en- countered depending on conditions. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with general guidelines for safe and environmentally-responsible foraging. 3 hrs., 2 mi. Sponsored by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Opacum Land Trust.

Southbridge, MA - Westville Lake Recreation Area, 88 Wallace Rd. From Rte. 131 in Sturbridge, turn south onto Wallace Rd. at sign for Westville Rec. Area. Follow Wallace Rd. for 1 mi., the trailhead parking lot is on
the left.

Trolley Lines and the "Grand Trunk"

Saturday, October 16, 2010
10:00am

Historian & author Larry Lowenthal leads a walk to explore the Springfield & Eastern trolley line and the “Grand Trunk” RR along the Quinebaug in East Brimfield, while a casual family bike ride heads off in the opposite direction. Bring bike & helmet, or choose just the walk portion. 2 mi., 2 hrs. Sponsored by: Opacum Land Trust & Brimfield Trail Committee.

Brimfield, MA - Five Bridge Rd. Meet at trail parking area, between Rte. 20 & Brimfield-Holland Rd. 413-436-5525. HIke #70 in the Walktober brochure.

May Brook Glen Dedication

Saturday, October 23, 2010
10:00am

Celebrate Opacum Land Trust’s first acquisition in Holland! A beautiful, scenic 3-acre parcel donated by Bill Hull & Hull Forest Products. Meet on May Brook Road in Holland. More about this beautiful property here...