The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

nature

BioBlitz at national park on September 22

Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) invites all ages to join distinguished naturalists on a quest to document as many species as possible during a BioBlitz event on Saturday, Sept. 22.

A BioBlitz brings together educators, scientists, naturalists, and the public to encourage outdoor exploration and enhance our understanding of biodiversity. The MMNHP event will focus on locating, identifying, and counting as many species as possible within the 1,038-acre park area in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Participants will gain skills in identifying and recording species and a stronger connection to their natural environment.

World-renowned local naturalists Peter Alden and Edward O. Wilson initiated the Biodiversity Day concept in 1998 at Walden Pond, and included MMNHP within the study area. They repeated the event with dozens of experts in 2008, and collectively recorded over 2,700 species within a five-mile radius of Walden Pond.

Concord-Carlisle High School student Liam Beguhn initiated the current event to spotlight the area’s biodiversity on September 22 (National Public Lands Day) and to update the findings by using the iNaturalist app.

The MMNHP event starts in the morning at the North Bridge Visitor Center at 174 Liberty St. in Concord, where guides will begin quests at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m. Each quest will focus on the guide’s expertise, which will include birds, plants, mammals, insects, reptiles, fungi, and more. After a break at noon (bring a bag lunch), it will continue at the Hartwell Tavern parking lot/park ranger station at 101 North Great Rd. in Lincoln. Guides will begin afternoon excursions from the parking lot at 2 p.m. and wrap up all quests by 4 p.m.

Data collected by participants who want to record findings using iNaturalist will be recorded on the app’s website, and prizes will be awarded to participants for numbers of identifications recorded in the park.

“Thousands of species are here in our community. This event will highlight the wonders of nature and inspire participants to better understand and protect biodiversity,” Alden said.

Questions about the project and program can be directed to Liam Beguhn via Margie Coffin Brown, the Park’s Natural & Cultural Resource Manager at 617-620-2942 or Margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov. 

News acorns

Service on Tuesday for Sylvia Kennedy

Sylvia Kennedy

Kennedy passed away on September 5 at the age of 84. Among other things, she was a former president of the Lincoln Garden Club and sacristan at St. Joseph Church. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. from the Dee Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church in Lincoln. Click here for full obituary.

Story-telling at Farrington

Join us around the campfire on Friday, Sept. 14 from 7:30–10 p.m. as experienced, competitive storytellers, in a “Moth-like” format, share their 5-6 minute true tales on the evening’s theme, “Rooted.” Fugitive Stories, Farrington Nature Linc’s partner for this event, brings “true stories told live” regularly to several suburban communities. This event is tailored for ages 14+ to enjoy an evening of stories. The storytelling begins at sundown, but you’re welcome to arrive earlier (6:30 p.m.) to picnic on the property. Rain or shine; weather permitting, we’ll be sitting around the campfire. Tickets are $12 online in advance or $15 on site on the day of event. 

Library events

  • Knitting Group — Knitters of all levels are welcome to our knitting group that begins on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Drop in; no registration is required. Beginners should contact Jen James at jenjames@gmail.com to see what materials they’ll need to bring.
  • Neurofeedback talk — Dr. Jolene Ross  presents “Neurofeedback: Brain Training at its Best” on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Neurofeedback is a technique for achieving brain wellness and improved executive function, which includes emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and task completion. Ross is a neurobehavioral psychologist with extensive experience in neurobiofeedback treatment, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and behavioral medicine. Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals.
  • “Permission to Pause” workshops — Adults and families today are often challenged to find some “quiet time” in our fast-paced society. This two-part series taught by nurse and a health education specialist Catherine Collins, R.N., M.S., on Thursdays, Sept. 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. will provide an opportunity for participants to pause in their busy week to review the challenges that get in the way of quiet time. Simple strategies such as breathing, imagery, muscle relaxation and mindful movement will be reviewed.  A list of resources will be provided to participants. No registration required. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

“Forest bathing” workshop for dogs and owners

Certified Forest Therapy Guide Nadine Mazzola will lead a workshop for dogs and their owners on shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” (gentle walks that support well-being through sensory immersion in forests and other naturally healing environments) in the deCordova Sculpture Park on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Increase mindfulness and connect to nature using your senses and a series of guided invitations to investigate your surroundings. Your dog will even be your guide. Please only one dog per owner. Click here to sign up ($20 for members, $30 for nonmembers).

Art and drumming at deCordova

Experience Andy Graydon’s PLATFORM 23 project, City Lights Orchestra, as it’s activated by The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers (THUD) on Saturday, Sept. 29 from noon–2 p.m. Graydon created his series of sculptural instruments from discarded street lamps. Rather than casting light, the lamps in City Lights Orchestra are intended to resonate with sound. Graydon based the sculptures on world instruments including Taiko drums and the Indonesian gamelan. THUD performs with nontraditional instruments including brooms, dinnerware, and instruments they’ve built themselves, and their sound ranges from STOMP-style pieces to more classical percussion ensemble music. Free with admission or membership; registration requested.

A tale of two fields (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Two summery views of fields in Lincoln. Top: The Turtle Creek winery grape vines behind the field on Lexington Road (photo by Ken Hurd). Bottom: a deer’s eyes reflect the twilight in a field on Mary’s Way that is destined to be replaced by the Oriole Landing mixed-income housing development once town approvals are in place. “It’s going to be sad to see this field becoming 60 apartments,” said photographer Cathy O’Brien, who lives next door.

Good-chuck charm? (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Woodchucks photographed by Harold McAleer survey the territory and munch, walrus-like, on some tasty blades of grass.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

Deer’s ears (Lincoln Through the Lens)

A deer glances back toward camera-toting Lincoln resident Harold McAleer.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

A stand-up guy (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Raccoons in Harold McAleer’s back yard will stand for almost anything, it seems.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

Bright-eyes and bushy-tailed (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Harold McAleer has caught foxes on camera several times in recent weeks.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

Drumlin Farm opens new Environmental Learning Center

Mass Audubon staff and friends at the grand opening of the Environmental Learning Center at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Left to right: Jennifer Feller, Bob Delano (Chapman Construction/Design), Laura Krich, Brandt Wild (Chapman Construction/Design), Renata Pomponi (Drumlin Farm sanctuary director), Gary Clayton (president, Mass Audubon), Marian Thornton, Nick d’Arbeloff (Mass Audubon board of directors), Christy Foote-Smith (former Drumlin Farm sanctuary director), Tia Pinney, Susan Madaus, Dick Thornton, Bill Maclay (Maclay Architects), and Robin Stuart. Photo by Heidi Thoren.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary celebrated the grand opening of its new Environmental Learning Center on June 9, almost two years after construction began.

The gathering at the popular Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary and working farm in Lincoln commenced with a ribbon-cutting followed by building tours, opportunities to meet raptors and Drumlin Farm’s resident fox, hands-on science activities, and educational program highlights.

The 3,700-square-foot Environmental Learning Center (ELC), and its neighboring outdoor classroom structure, the Bluebird Pavilion, are situated between the wildlife sanctuary’s nature center and the site of the former education building. The ELC is about three times the size of the building it replaced at Drumlin, which as of 2017 employed about 15 year-round educators and conducts about 40,000 educational programs (some off-site).

The ELC and the pavilion will serve as the hub from which all of Drumlin Farm’s environmental education programming will flow. They will provide the home base for the programs through which Drumlin Farm teacher/naturalists and other educators support Mass Audubon’s mission to connect people and nature. Featuring a 42.8-kilowatt system of rooftop solar panels and many other energy-conserving construction methods and materials, the building will be net-positive, annually generating more energy than it will consume.

The ELC opening represents another phase in a long-term update plan for Drumlin Farm funded by a capital campaign that aimed to raise $4.7 million. Several years ago, the farm replaced its Farm Life Center, where most programs that involve cooking take place. In late 2016, the New England Wildlife Explorations exhibit opened, replacing the old Drumlin Underground exhibit.

Drumlin Farm Director Renata Pomponi described the grand opening of the new facility as a “watershed moment” for the wildlife sanctuary.

“Mass Audubon’s enduring commitment to nature-based education has never been stronger, and Drumlin Farm is excited about the pivotal role the Environmental Learning Center will play as we build on that legacy, developing environmental and climate science programs that further conservation in the 21st century,” she said.

Drumlin preschool and director Canelli honored

Left to right: Mass Audubon Director of Education Kris Scopinich, Drumlin Farm Community Preschool Lead Teacher Rina Zampieron, Preschool Director and awardee Jill Canelli; Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary Director Renata Pomponi; and State Energy and Environmental Affairs Sec. Matthew A. Beaton. (Mass Audubon/Kelly Moffett photo)

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary’s nature preschool and its director, Jill Canelli, have been honored with a Secretary’s Award for Excellence, which recognizes schools and teachers from throughout Massachusetts for their outstanding efforts to improve energy and environmental education.

The awards were presented by the office of State Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew A. Beaton in the rotunda of the Massachusetts State House on May 14.

Nature-based education is a fundamental element of Mass Audubon’s mission, and the Drumlin Farm Community Preschool is only one of the conservation organization’s state-licensed preschools, located at four of its wildlife sanctuaries. Another eight sanctuaries across the Commonwealth offer weekly nature preschool programs.

Canelli, an environmental educator for more than two decades, served as the founding director of the Drumlin Farm Community Preschool in 2007 before relocating with her family to Atlanta and continuing her work in environmental education. In 2014, she returned to Drumlin Farm and the preschool, and was especially happy to be part of the celebration surrounding its 10th anniversary in the spring of 2017.

Mass Audubon President Gary Clayton said the preschool and its director are very deserving award recipients. “We are honored to see this recognition of Jill Canelli’s exemplary work in raising the next generation of nature heroes at the Drumlin Farm Community Preschool, which reinforces Mass Audubon’s stature as a premier model for nature preschools statewide and beyond,” he said.

This is the third straight year that Mass Audubon, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit, has been honored by the Secretary’s Award for Excellence program. Last year, the organization was cited for its collaboration with the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust in that city. In 2016, it was selected for the All Persons Trails Guidelines Project which, modeled on Mass Audubon’s own accessibility initiatives, provides guidance and support materials for like-minded organizations nationwide.