March is the month when we start to feel spring. The vernal equinox gives us more daylight hours for outdoor adventures, and stronger rays remind us that soon we will need sunscreen again – but not quite yet. I love this time of year – the in-between time – when I still relish frosty mornings, while eagerly checking for green shoots that herald an early crocus.
That said, recent weeks have presented a lot of new challenges for us and for many organizations in north central Massachusetts. The new administration has issued a high volume of notifications about potential interruptions in funding, changes to federal priorities, and new expectations for how public and private organizations engage with their communities. We are working with partners to keep up with the changes and manage the potential implications. In the meantime, we affirm our commitment to our mission to protect land and connect people to nature. Understanding the needs and concerns of our communities remains a priority for us. When I reflect on my first three months with NCLT I am inspired by the wonderful people who treasure the natural beauty of north central Massachusetts. I know there is a lot we can do together for the earth and that making time to go outside together is an essential way to connect to one another.
For example, we are very excited about our habitat restoration project at Ebenezer Keyes Conservation Area in Gardner. It’s the perfect example of everything we love about our mission. While we improve the land and restore a globally rare habitat, we will call on people like you to help us record observations of how things change. Come join walks and participate in community science with us, and watch the transformation with your own eyes. Learn more about our work to change this highly impacted site into a rare inland sandplain grassland later in this newsletter.
In fact, we have a whole series of programs coming up in different towns that we hope will be interesting and easy for you to attend. Check out our list of upcoming events and join us! Bring a friend! If you have suggestions or questions about our events, please email info@northcountylandtrust.org. We love new ideas!
Before I sign off, I invite you to come meet people – like you – who support North County Land Trust. In addition to the events we have planned, you can join in the removal of invasive species, or lend a hand on our trail workdays. We are also looking to recruit a few new members for our Board of Directors who can help us grow. Spring is coming and it’s a good time to try something new. I look forward to getting to know more of you!