Council News | Sanctuary Updates | Wellesley News
Happy 50th Anniversary to the
Wellesley Conservation Council, 1958-2008! |
2008 Board of Directors Officers
Directors
New Board Members Gail Mann Gail has been a resident of Wellesley for 16 years and is a prefessional real estate appraiser with 20 years experience in land appraidsal for open space/conservation. She has been employed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (formerly MDC) for the last 15 years to appraise land for watershed protection. Gail has also appraised land for private clients looking to preserve open space for future generations and is an avid conservation ist and supporter of open space. Gail has two children in the Wellesley Schools. Ellen Zientara Ellen has lived with her family in Wellesley for 3 years. She is a women's health nurse practitioner and an avid gardener. She owns and operates a small, newly established community farm here in Wellesley, Sunflower Farm. She also teaches garden classes through the Wellesley Recreation Center. Vita Weir (advisory) Vita notes that her admiration of the Wellesley Trails, her background in science and appreciation of nature led her to the Wellesley Conservation Council. She moved to Wellesley in 1996 to attend the F.W. Olin Graduate School for Business. After graduating, she continued to live in Wellesley and to work extensively in management of cultural organizations. Farewells A special thanks to our long standing board members Joel Slocum, Larry Schind and Paul Cremonini leaving the WCC Board this year. Joel Slocum has served us as Vice-President for many years and we will miss his participation and advice. Larry Schind's legal council for the past 3 years was very helpful and beneficial to the board. We will count on his further advice. Paul Cremonini , as a dedicated neighbor to the Cold Spring Brook Sanctuary, has been a supporting contributor and will do so in the future. Thank you Joel, Larry and Paul for all your dedication and commitment to preserve and protect Wellesley 's open spaces. We will miss you.
Bailey 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. |
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 Arbor Day 2008 – Dedication of Eastern Redbud Tree at Cronk's Rocky Woodland In celebration of Arbor Day as well as the 50th anniversary of the Wellesley Conservation Council, a newly planted tree was dedicated last weekend at Cronk's Rocky Woodland. With help from board member Laura Weatherall, the council recently selected and purchased a tree from Windy Lo Nursery in Natick.
This Eastern Redbud tree, cercis canadensis, is a pink flowering tree and should be a source of joy and spiritual renewal for this and future generations. Besides the beauty it provides, this renewable resource gives us clean air, life giving oxygen, habitat for wildlife, and flowers which can be used in salads and relishes. During the tree dedication, Wellesley Conservation Council President Ingrid Carls reminded us that the history of Arbor Day can be traced back to the state of Nebraska in the 1800's. Journalist and politician Sterling Morton moved to Nebraska and found a great need to halt erosion of its precious topsoil by wind and water. He set a day aside for planting trees, Arbor Day, which has become a nationally remembered day. On that day in 1872 about one million trees were planted in Nebraska . This tradition continues today all over the world, especially as we recognize the importance of protecting our precious natural resources. Cronk's Rocky Woodland is located next to 10 Crown Ridge Roads open to the public year round. Our annual open house will be on Saturday, June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m., but visitors are welcome to walk along the paths anytime. Wildflowers are beginning to emerge, so May and June are a great time to visit! 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. Photograph of the Trout Lily was taken by Peter Rovick shown in the photograph to the right. |
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. |
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. 
Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend Parade
Look for us at the Wonderful Weekend Parade on Sunday, May 18,2008. 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. Click here to find a list of these walks. 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 May 4, 2008 |
