Council News | Sanctuary Updates | Wellesley News
2009 Board of Directors Officers
Directors
Advisory Member
Welcome to the New Board Members Christine Larsen I have lived in Wellesley since 1990. My husband and I have raised two sons, both educated in the Wellesley school system. Our decision to move to Wellesley was based on the belief that it was a community strongly committed to the education of its youth and to the overall quality of life for all of its citizens. I have found Wellesley to be a very easy place to live. I was delighted to learn of its years of designation as a Tree City USA , an urban forestry award. Since the first Earth Day celebration I have been interested in the environment and its conservation and protection. My educational background is in geography and horticulture. My interests are organic farming and organic gardening. I look forward to participating in the Wellesley Conservation Council's efforts to help maintain the protected lands we have here in Wellesley. Peter Covo lI have been a resident of Wellesley since 1995 with my wife, Susan and our two young daughters, Ruth (9) and Martha (6). I have my own law practice where I specialize in the areas of Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estate matters. In addition to my professional life, I have been very active in Youth Hockey, having coached in the Wellesley Youth Hockey program, assisting at Wellesley High School and coaching teams at both Winsor School and Dana Hall. Having grown up in Mexico City , I have experienced first hand the issues that arise when land conservation and environmental issues are not carefully monitored. I believe that conservation matters are of great importance to the maintenance of our community for future generations and look forward to working with the Wellesley Conservation Council. REVISED VERSION OF “WALKS IN WELLESLEY ” The Wellesley Conservation Council is now in the process of once again revising and republishing “Walks in Wellesley ”. This project is being spearheaded by a committee of council board members: Fred Fortmiller, Ingrid Carls and Nancy Bagdasarian. The book was first published in 1972 with revised editions issued in 1975, 1979 and 1981. “Walks in Wellesley ” has become a favorite of those who enjoy exploring the many open areas in Wellesley and focuses on the natural history of these areas. It is a valuable resource for newcomers to the area, for those who were just not aware of Wellesley 's natural resources, and for families who wish to explore and walk the green areas of Wellesley together. As Elissa M. Landre, Director of Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctury, say in the preface of the book, “The reader is led to discover plant associations, habitat types and geological features through observations suggested by the guide”. This project was made possible by the generosity of the Bailey Family Foundation which has donated a grant to the council to be used for the revising and republishing of this book. Ann Melanson's father started the foundation and the money is to be distributed as the Melanson Family wishes in the Wellesley community. The Melansons have always enjoyed the conservations areas and continue to be interested in preserving these open areas. Again, we thank Ann Melanson for this gift. The “Walks in Wellesley ” committee has spent a great deal of time in the last year updating and preparing the text to be handed to a professional editor/ writer to complete. In addition, we were in contact with the original publisher who transferred the original book from film which deteriorates over time to electronic discs. We have been in contact with possible artists and publishers who will be able to create a book of the same feel and standards of the original publication. In addition, one of our main goals is to include in the new edition the trails designated by the Wellesley Trails Committee which would make our book a more comprehensive guide. Our hope is to have the book completed sometime in 2010. MINI-GRANT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL In support of our mission to promote the enjoyment of the natural environment through preservation, scientific study and education; the Wellesley Conservation Council is proud to provide the Wellesley Middle School Science Department with a grant of $250. The grant is being used to purchase jeweler's loupes (eye lenses with a 5x magnification) to be used by the seventh grade science classes for a new unit of study on ecology. Thank You Thank you to the Bailey Family Foundation which has been very generous in its grants to the council – the current one to be used for the revising and republishing of “Walks in Wellesley ”. Thank you also to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grants program) for its wonderful gift will also help us in the reprinting of the new revised edition of “Walks in Wellesley ”. Wellesley Garden Study Group Makes Donation The Wellesley Garden Study Group made a generous donation of $300 to the Council in May of 2008. Each year, this local club donates the proceeds of its annual fundraising auction to organizations that pursue gardening-related activities. The Conservation Council was delighted to receive this gift and it has been earmarked to purchase plant material for Cronk's Rocky Woodland Sanctuary. Cronk's is one of our pocket parks and neighbors from all over Wellesley enjoy walking its pathways through woods dotted with wildflowers and shrubs. To date, we have used these funds to purchase rhododendron bushes and witch hazel for Cronk's. This spring we hope to add a few native flowering trees to the sanctuary. We have just learned that the Wellesley Garden Study Group will be one of the sponsors of our spring meeting, featuring Maria Stella who will talk on sustainable landscape design. This donation will help defray the cost of speaker's fee. We are fortunate to have the support of this local garden club. Thanks so much to the Wellesley Garden Study Group for its generosityBailey Family Bench at Pickle Point
Wellesley Conservation Council dedicates a bench in memory of Nancy and Hamilton Bailey On a beautiful Sunday morning, October 14, 2007, a multigenerational Bailey Family gathered at Pickle Point along the shores of Morses Pond for the dedication of a bench in memory of Hamilton and Nancy Bailey. The Baileys were avid walkers throughout Wellesley 's reservations and sanctuaries. In later years one could meet Mr. Bailey often accompanied by his daughter, Ann Melanson, bringing a chair along for a well needed rest, making his way to Pickle Point, a peninsula along Morses Pond. Pickle Point was formed when the glacier retreated and this point we call Pickle Point remained. Maples, oaks, wild cherry, alder, dogwood, azalea and witch hazel are abundant and very different from other areas along Cochituate Aqueduct The Wellesley Conservation Council hopes that many weary walkers will find rest and renewal along the banks of Morses Pond, especially at Pickle Point. Click here to see a map of Pickle Point. Fairy House Event The next Fairy House event for elementary school age children will be on Saturday, May 16 at Pickle Point Sanctuary. Meet at the Cochituate Aquaduct at Russell Rd./Kendall Rd. This event is free and families are welcome. Refreshment will be served. |
One aim of the council is to expose children to nature and its wonders while having fun. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, the Wellesley Conservation Council branched out into the community where two local toy stores co-sponsored a " Fairy House Building " event. The first event was held in the spring at Magic Bean Toy Store on Linden Street during the Wellesley Weekend. Council members, children and their families later gathered at Pickle Point to make Fairy houses from natural materials found in the woods. We were enchanted by two beautiful swans, followed by 6 cygnets, which greeted us at the Morses' Pond. entrance! The second, more recent event, was held this September at LittleBits Toys on Washington Street. Again, members, children and their families gathered, this time, along Caroline Path, collecting natural materials for building their fairy houses next to an adopted tree. We had many children participate in these creative adventures which included natural art projects, games, a reading of Tracy Kane's Fairy House story and of course cookies and tea! Each board member has adopted a WCC sanctuary. Four times a year, the sanctuaries will be visited to clean-up trash and check the general condition of each sanctuary. We would appreciate it if you spot a problem in a sanctuary to let us know so that we can quickly remedy the situation. |
Cronk's Rocky Woodland Earth Day 2009– Dedication of Halsia Tree at Cronk's Rocky Woodland
The Halesia Tree , a shrubby Carolina version ( halesia tetraptera ) is a spring blooming tree with big bunches of bell flowers blooming on last years bare branches. These bell flowers flutter gracefully in the breeze. The tree is known also as Carolina Silverbell Tree . It can grow in shady areas up to 40 feet.The attractive four winged seed pots turn from green to brown in the fall and show some interest when the leaves had fallen in autumn. Photo: Peter Rovick Oh, to be a tree Ingrid Carls, Earth Day, April 22, 2009 Many thanks to “ The Garden Study Group ” for their generous gift which helps beautifying the sanctuary with this Halesia tree. Thank you also for all who helped, Peter Rovick, Art Falvey and Nancy Halpern to give Cronk's Rocky Woodland hope in being part of reducing global warming. Pictured at the rained out tree dedication are: Nancy Halpern, Ingrid Carls, Robin Keeler, Chris Larsen, Nancy Bagdasarian, and Arthur Falvey. Rain Barrels Board members Kent Fox and Peter Rovick have adapted our rain Click here to see a link to a map showing how to get to Cronk's from Town Hall. Conserve Water, Time and Energy with “No-Till” Gardening With ‘no-till' gardening (also known as “lasagna gardening”), once a bed is established the surface is never disturbed. Items such as compost, manure, peat, lime and fertilizer are added to the top of the bed where watering and subsoil activities will allow them to be absorbed into the subsoil. Mulch is added to the top layer and therefore, weeding is not necessary. By adding material in layers, the underlying soil surface remains spongy, making it easy for the young roots of newly planted seedlings to work through the soil. This is similar to the way soil is formed in nature. Traditionally, gardeners turn over the top layer of soil before planting to get rid of weeds, and prepare for fertilization and planting. The act of tilling the soil is often the most arduous of a gardener's tasks. Digging into the bed can actually interfere with the natural symbiotic relationship that exists between the surface soil and the underlying micro-organisms. Tilling can also cause soil erosion and compaction and force dormant weed seeds to the surface where they will likely sprout. Benefits of no-till gardening are many: • Promotes natural aeration and drainage via the tunneling of worms • Saves water as the thick layers of mulch allow water to easily pass through and provides shade to the soil. • Reduces the need to weed since dormant seeds are not disturbed and exposed to light during tilling. • Helps soil retain carbon as nutrients are released in a slow and steady manner. • Helps to reduce soil erosion as topsoil and fertilizers used in traditional gardening are often washed or blown away. To get started, you will need to establish a good, fertile soil structure by removing all rocks, roots and any such obstructions. Once the soil has been cleared, organic items such as peat, lime and compost may be added. A thick layer of mulch is essential to keep the soil from drying out and crusting over. If you plan to adopt the no-till gardening method there are many detailed online resources that will be of assistance. Resources: http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/no-till-gardening.html |
Guernsey Sanctuary Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are small temporary ponds, with no inlet or outlet. They hold water for only part of the year and contain no fish. They are essential for a healthy ecosystem because certain amphibians must live in a vernal pool for some part of their lives. These species include wood frogs, spadefoot toads, spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Other animals may use vernal pools but can live in other habitats as well. There are many vernal pools hidden around Wellesley including one in WCC's Guernsey Sanctuary. To find a vernal pool in your neighborhood, click here to look at the Wellesley Wetland map.
Yellow/blue spotted salamanders, spring peepers, fingernail clams, caddisfly larva, and dragonfly nymphs were all found in the Guernsey vernal pool. |
Walker Woods As part of his duties for the Wellesley Trails Committee, Jim Eliott has been monitoring the Sudbury Path which runs adjacent to the Walker Woods. Jim notified us of dumping on the property and later returned with Peter Rovick to remove Christmas trees as well as glass and metal objects. Peter also visited some of the neighbors on Fuller Brook Road to ask for their help in preventing dumping and promoting protection of the Walker Woods natural state. |
Wellesley Conservation Council celebrated Earth Day with planting a new tree at Cronk's Rocky Woodland, the Council's wildflower garden on Crown Ridge Road . 
Last year
the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences studied our Guernsey Sanctuary pond as part of its Vernal Pool Project in the Charles River and Taunton River watersheds. We are pleased to report that Manomet gave the Guernsey vernal pool a good report card. 
Morses Pond Visit the Morses Pond web site at www.morsespond.org. Natural Resources Commission Visit the Natural Resources Commission web site to find out more information on Wellesley's parks, conservation, recreation, and open spaces. Wellesley's Pesticide Awareness Campaign WPAC - Find out how to eliminate or reduce pesticide use on your lawn, see listings of local events relating to environmental health, sign up for email updates on talks, research articles and legislation relating to pesticide reduction in Massachusetts, discover many good books and references and related links. Wellesley Trails Committee The Wellesley Trails Committee sponsors a series of free, guided trail walks. Enjoy some of Wellesley's beautiful open spaces and discover new trails that will expand your recreational options. Visit the Wellesley Trails Committee web site to find out more information about the walks and new trail projects and to download maps and guides to the Wellesley trails. |
Last Revised November 2, 2009 |
