Spring 2011 Program
Thursday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.
Wellesley Community Center
219 Washington St.
The Baker Estate - "Fairyland of the Beautiful and Bizarre"
Presented by
Gloria Polizzotti Greis
The Executive Director of the Needham Historical Society
The Wellesley Conservation Council will host a powerpoint lecture The Baker Estate - "Fairyland of 
the Beautiful and Bizarre" by Gloria Polizzotti Greis, Executive Director of the Needham Historical Society. Gloria will talk about the history of the Baker Estate and illustrate her lecture with the extensive collection of Baker Estate photos in the Needham Historical Society.
In the 1860s, William Emerson Baker retired from his sewing machine business with a vast fortune and purchased nearly 800 acres in Needham - the famous Ridge Hill Farms. Widely regarded as America's first amusement park, Ridge Hill Farms embodied Baker's extraordinary passion for social and economic reform, experimental agriculture, bad puns and practical jokes. Every attraction had its sharp point – and he used it to needle politicians, soldiers, scientists, and priests. After Baker’s death, several attempts were made to keep the attractions going; but fires and lack of funds eventually doomed the effort, and today there are few traces left of Baker’s “Fairyland of the Beautiful and Bizarre.”
Sabrina Lake 1875
Sabrina Lake Today
Today Guernsey Sanctuary, a 25 acre woodland maintained in its natural state, is a part of the original Baker Estate. Guernsey Sanctuary was a gift to the Wellesley Conservation Council in 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. William G. Guernsey.
Gloria Polizzotti Greis has been Executive Director of the Needham Historical Society since 2002. Prior to the Historical Society, she was Peabody Research Fellow at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (Harvard) (2001-2002), and Collections Manager for the Peabody’s Archaeology and Human Osteology Collections (1989-2001). She holds a PhD in Anthropology, specializing in the archaeology of prehistoric Europe, and is the author of two books on archaeology, a book on local history, and several articles on history, archaeology and various other topics. She also serves as a member of the Needham Historical Commission, and the Needham Tercentennial Committee.
Photograph of Sabrina Lake 1875 courtesy of Gloria Polizzotti Greis
Spring 2010 Program
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.
Wellesley Community Center
219 Washington St.
THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS:
THEIR MISSION PAST AND PRESENT
Presented by
MIKE FRANCIS
The Trustees of Reservations
Superintendent, Charles River Valley Management Unit
The Trustees are 100,000 people like you, from every corner of Massachusetts, who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and believe in celebrating and protecting them for future generations.
Since its founding in 1891 by Charles Eliot, an open space visionary and protégé of the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, The Trustees’ mission has been to preserve, protect and care for properties of exceptional scenic, historic, recreational and ecological value in Massachusetts. As land is being developed and open space is being fragmented at a rapid pace of an estimated 40 acres per day around the state, The Trustees are working to mobilize and inspire a critical mass of people and partners who care about quality of life in their communities and will work to protect and enjoy them.
The Trustees of Reservations own and manage more than 100 reservations, all open for the public to enjoy, of which 37 properties are in the greater Boston area including: working farms such as Powisset Farm in Dover and Moose Hill Farm in Sharon; tranquil woodlands such as Rocky Woods and Rocky Narrows in Medfield and Noanet Woodlands in Dover; formal gardens and historic homesteads such as the Bradley Estate in Canton and the Old Manse in Concord; and beautiful landscapes such as World’s End in Hingham.
The Trustees of Reservations in the Charles River Valley
In the Charles River Valley, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) protect and manage more than 2700 acres, including Powisset Farm with a vibrant Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and 15 local reservations graced with over 50 miles of trails crossing tranquil woodlands and meadows.
In addition to owning and caring for 100 reservations, nearly 25,000 acres in more than 70 communities, The Trustees hold conservation restrictions on more than 16,000
acres of privately owned land and have worked with communities and other conservation partners to assist in the protection of an additional 16,000 acres. The Trustees’ affiliate, Boston Natural Areas Network, owns 39 community gardens and advocates for urban wilds and greenways in the city of Boston.
A member-, donor- and endowment-supported organization, The Trustees provide hundreds of year-round programs and events that inspire people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate and care for natural, scenic and cultural landscapes and landmarks across the Commonwealth.
We Can’t Do it Alone, and It’s More Fun Not To!
Volunteers have a long history with The Trustees and have played a critical role in the legacy of protected land and resources. Partnering with local land trusts is another integral solution to achieving shared goals. The Trustees also works with local communities and town governments to adopt the Community Preservation Act, Right-to-Farm bylaws, and establish agricultural committees. The Center for Community Conservation in Leominster offers year-round workshops and sponsors the annual Land Trust Conference. Establishment of an online community, ConservationCommon.org, has provided many nonprofits, volunteers, town committees, and government employees a means to further engage and share ideas and tools for land acquisition, management, and stewardship.
Engaging communities through volunteer opportunities creates a solid foundation for future conservation efforts while caring for existing resources. The more connected people are to the land, the more they will want to care for it and protect other threatened resources, while taking action in their own daily lives to live more sustainably with less impact on our planet.
Photograph credit: Diane Thomas
Followed by
THE WELLESLEY TRAIL SYSTEM
Presented by
PETER ROVICK
Member, Wellesley Trails Committee
www.wellesleytrails.org
Peter will inform us about Wellesley’s extensive trail system. The many woodland and interconnecting trails are carefully maintained for safe walking and biking by the committee and volunteers.
Miguel Lessing leading walk in Guernsey Sanctuary
Fall 2009 Program
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Wellesley Community Center
219 Washington St.
REPTILES SHOW AND EXHIBIT
Presented by Marla Isaac
Director, New England Reptile and Raptor Exhibits
The Wellesley Conservation Council is hosting a lecture and live reptile exhibit, presented by Marla Isaac. Ms. Isaac has been presenting wildlife shows and exhibits for over 30 years. Her experience includes handling, caring for and propagation of snakes, including the venomous rattlesnake, genus Crotalus. Ms. Isaac maintains a diverse population of snakes, tortoises, turtles, lizards and crocodilians for research and illustrative educational programs.Marla Isaac's overriding interest is in the natural history and preservation of reptiles in the wild. Her programs are intended to promote greater public understanding, respect and “affection” for reptiles in their native habitat.
Reptiles are one of the most misunderstood and feared groups in the animal kingdom. They are subject and victim of numerous tales, fables, myths and movies. Bounty hunting of snakes in the past have led to their decline in the wild. Amphibians and reptiles, like other wildlife, have also suffered from habitat destruction, as well as from pesticide poisoning and other pollutants introduced into their environments. Commercial collectors have contributed to population decline by harvesting wholesale numbers of reptiles to feed the market of pet stores and customers.
Reptiles evolved from amphibian stock more than 315 millions years ago during the early Upper Carboniferous Period. Modern reptiles can be traced back to the Permian Era, 280 million years ago. Over 200 species and subspecies of reptiles are found in eastern and central North America , comprising 3 species of crocodilians, 53 species of turtles and tortoises, 96 species of lizards and over 100 species of snakes.
Children often are drawn to and fascinated by discoveries of reptiles in the wild. The excitement of finding a salamander under a rock is long remembered. So too is the spotting of a turtle basking in the sun on a cool autumn day, or the graceful movements of the garter snake slipping through the summer grass. Who is not awed by the mass migration of baby snapping turtles crossing a country road on their journey to a pond?
It is through programs like Marla Isaac's that help promote public understanding of reptiles and their storied place in evolutionary history. Topics covered by Ms. Isaac include natural history, adaptation, habitat destruction, poaching, species exploitation and management of reptiles in their native habitat and in captivity.
Best of all, Ms. Isaac will be bringing live animals to exhibit and “pet”, as well as bones for viewing. “Attendees” will include an alligator snapping turtle, common snapping turtle, alligator, tortoise and box turtle.
Please join us with your children and grandchildren for an exciting evening spent in the company of a keen observer and lecturer of reptiles, and with the stars of the show themselves.
CAMERAS ARE ENCOURAGED!
Spring 2009 Program
Wed., May 6, 7:00 p.m.
Wellesley Community Center
219 Washington St.
In partnership with the Wellesley Garden Study Group and the Natural Resources Commission
RESPONSIBLE GARDENING FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY:
THE SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE
Presented by
MARIE STELLA
Landscape Historian and Landscape Designer
Graduate Certificates in Landscape Design and Landscape Design History from Radcliffe College, Harvard University
A sustainable landscape addresses the needs of the present community without negatively impacting the ability of future residents of the area to meet their needs. This lecture details the road we must take to restore our ecological systems. It addresses environmental awareness and seeks to highlight innovative ways to use plant material to clean our air, soil and water, revealing that the 21 st century will witness a new and exciting role for plants on the cutting edge of landscape restoration.
Integrated environmentally engineered systems are distinguished for their incisive design, their harmony of art and engineering, perhaps harkening back to the Renaissance ideal. This approach promotes both the wise use of water resources and the genetic diversity of plant material. Heirloom and unusual varieties of herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers, steeped in long histories, bind us to our past. We must strive to preserve the full range of genetic possibilities of our plants, enabling them to cope with future environmental stresses.
LECTURE OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION: On the Threshold of a New Century: Man's Assault on Habitat
ASSUMING A PROACTIVE ROLE:
Dry Gardening: Beth Chatto 
The Meadow
Native Plants: James Van Sweden , Wolfgang Oehme, Piet Oudolf
Dan Pearson
Plant Buffer Zones
The American Lawn – Working Toward a 50% Reduction
Invasive Species
Rebuilding Wetlands
Genetic Diversity: Nature's First Line of Defense
NEW DIRECTIONS IN WATER MANAGEMENT
The Permeable Ground Plane: Paving Alternatives
WATER Conserving Mulches
The Green Eco Roof
Rainwater Harvesting
Natural Swimming Pools without Chemicals
CONCLUSION : Each of Us Makes a Difference
This program is free and is open to the public. Please join us for this timely program.
Top photo: Oehme and Van Sweden
Bottom photo: Stella
Fall 2008 Program
Wednesday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.
Wellesley Community Center
219 Washington St.
"Who's Watching You? Owls of New England "
Presented by Mark and Marsha Wilson
of
Eyes on Owls
The Wellesley Conservation Council will host a slide-lecture program, “Who's Watching You? Owls of New England ” presented by Mark and Marcia Wilson of Eyes On Owls. After a colorful slide program of photographs by well-known wildlife photographer Mark Wilson, and an interactive hooting lesson, Marcia will introduce 6 live owls that have been found in New England. This program will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wellesley Community Center , 219 Washington St.
Everyone loves owls! Yet, how many of us have ever actually seen an owl in the wild? Perhaps you've glimpsed the shadowy form of a Great Horned Owl in the headlights as you traveled a back road at night. Ever
scanned a frozen salt marsh or farmer's field in winter, hoping to find that artic hunter, the Snowy Owl? How about a mob of noisy crows circling around a white pine tree – do they see an owl?
Mark and Marcia will introduce you to the owls on New England 's owl checklist. Some species, like the 
Great Gray Owl or the Northern Hawk Owl, are rare visitors. Others, such as the Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls, may be more common that you think. Mark and Marcia share the field marks and naturalist skills that you can use to find owls without disturbing them, as they introduce you to several live owls up close. Marcia brings out the live owls one at a time. With each owl perched securely on her glove, she walks around the room. There is plenty of time for close-up views and lots of questions. Everyone will learn owls' calls, as well as tips on how to go out owling on your own. Each owl has a permanent disability that keeps it from surviving on its own in the wild. These non-releasable owls serve as captivating ambassadors from the world of wildlife. Explore the world of New England 's owls with these two talented naturalists, whose experience afield makes this program lively, fun and educational!
This program “Who's Watching You? Owls of New England ” is free and open to the public and is suited for both children and adults. Join us for this lively and unique program and a chance to win a Raffle Prize. Eyes On Owls has donated a beautiful 18” x 24” fine art print of a Snowy Owl in flight photographed by Mark Wilson. The Wilson 's owl note cards and fine art prints will be on sale at the program.
For more information call (781) 237-6125.
Photographs taken by Mark Wilson
Spring 2008 Program
"A Convenient Truth: A Water-wise Future for Wellesley
and How We Can Get There "
Presented by Peggy Sunshine
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA)
Wellesleyites are you water worriers? We are all concerned about how water resources will be impacted by climate change and whether aging public infrastructure is affecting the quality and quantity of water in Wellesley . Discover how the relationship between land and water resources are intricately connected. Find out how CRWA's hydrologists, urban restoration planners and environmental scientists are protecting fresh water resources in this region and beyond. You will look at things with a whole new perspective after hearing and seeing this presentation.
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is a non-profit environmental organization founded in 1965 to restore one of the earliest settled rivers in America . Its work is to protect all 80 miles of the Charles River and its watershed, which drains an area of 308 square miles, encompassing a total of 35 towns. Almost a million people, 16% of the state population,
are directly impacting and being impacted by the health of the Charles River. CRWA's prominent role in cleaning up the river has influenced government policy, developed river water monitoring protocols, fought to uphold water use rulings, studied and protected river plants and wildlife and educated public officials, community groups, students of all ages and legislators on best practices in protecting watersheds.
Today, CRWA is the leading organization in helping the public understand the river's current health and the sources of pollution contributing to its impairment for both recreational use and as habitat for fish and wildlife. CRWA is also assisting cities and developers realize new possibilities in urban planning by giving thoughtful consideration to preserving and protecting water resources through engineering that conforms to natural hydrology.
This program is free, appropriate for high school students and adults, and is open to the public. Please join us for this timely program. For more information call 781-237-6125.
Photographs are from the CRWA.
Fall 2007 Program
"Who Lives in Your Backyard?"
Presented by Audubon Ark
Outreach Program by Drumlin Farm
The Wellesley Conservation Council invites you and your children to attend a live animal demonstration entitled "Who Lives in Your Backyard?" This program is presented by the Audubon Ark, an outreach program of Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. The Audubon Ark's naturalist will introduce a mannal, a bird, and turtle. Have you ever had a close-up view of a hawk, an opossum, and a painted or box turtle? This is your opportunity to meet native animals and discover the relationship between where they live and what they look like.
All the wildlife presented is native to your backyard. The program will cultivate an appreciation for and an understanding of native animals and their habitat. Also, young children will develop an awareness and understanding of our interrelationship with the land that sustains and surrounds us. All these native animals are cared for in Drumlin Farm Sanctuary. They live in captivity because of injuries whcih make it impossible for them to survive on their own.
This program is free and open to the public and is suited for both children and adults. Please join us for this lively and unique program. For more information call 781-237-6125.
Photograph of the red-tailed hawk is by Alice Cestari
April 25, 2007
Sustainable Design: Why and How?
Presented by HKT Architects Inc. and The Green Roundtable
Sustainable design in your home saves energy and protects health. For these same reasons, municipalities, states and the federal government have adopted policies around sustainable design and construction. Colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and corporations also have sustainable policies that govern how they build and operate buildings. Why is sustainable design important, even imperative? This program will feature Barbra Batshalom (The Green Roundtable) on the ways green residential design can make a difference in reducing energy costs and increasing quality of life in our communities. Bill Hammer and Eric Kluz (HKT Architects) will present case studies of green municipal buildings for Boston, Cambridge and Lexington, as well as the green Doyle Conservation Center for The Trustees of Reservations.
HKT Architects is a planning and architecture firm specializing in sustainable design for municipalities and state agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit conservation and cultural organizations.
The Green Roundtable is a non-profit organization whose mission is to mainstream sustainable development through strategic programs in education, policy and technical assistance.
This slide presentation is co-sponsored with the Natural Resources Commission, SMART Wellesley (Sustainable Management of Appropriate Resources and Technology) and Green Waves. The program is free and will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St.
The Annual Meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. and will include a vote on the new Board of Directors.
October 25, 2006
Wild in Wellesley
The Wellesley Conservation Council invites you to attend “ Wild in Wellesley ” an interactive presentation by Tabitha Hobbs, a teacher and naturalist from the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. This program will be held on Wednesday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m . at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St .
Meet live animals native to the Wellesley area, investigate their habitats, explore their amazing adaptations, and discover how these animals relate to conservation. Tabitha will bring at least two live animals with her; one will be an endangered species. There will be “touch” items such as fur and other exhibits that the children can look at after the program.
Tabitha Hobbs works as a Teacher Naturalist for the Blue Hills Trailside Museum . She graduated from UMass Amherst in 2004 with a degree in Natural Resource Studies as well as a minor in Education and Wildlife Conservation. She enjoys hobbies such as kayaking, photography, and identifying dragonflies where she can continue to learn and be outside.
The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is a small natural history museum with native non-releasable wildlife situated at the base of the Great Blue Hill in Milton, MA . It is owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and managed by Mass Audubon. The Blue Hills Reservation is the largest open space within 35 miles of Boston, encompassing over 7000 acres. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and boating are just some of the activities available to the public at the reservation.
The lively and fun interactive presentation of the wild animals in Wellesley is geared for elementary school children, but of interest to young and old alike.
April 26, 2006
The Birds and the Bees, the Flowers and the Trees:
Protecting Biodiversity in the Western Suburbs
The Wellesley Conservation Council invites you to attend a dynamic discussion of the many factors affecting the wildlife of Wellesley and the surrounding towns, presented by Peter Alden, a renowned naturalist and author. Mr. Alden is an entertaining and informative speaker and has led over 250 ecotours to over a hundred countries. He lectures all over the world for travel and museum organizations. This program will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wellesley Community Center, 291 Washington St., Wellesley.
With spring just around the corner, what better time to investigate the many issues impacting the biodiversity of Wellesley? Maintaining a balance with wildlife in our densely-populated suburban towns is a juggling act, as the deer population, odoriferous skunks, over-wintering geese, and many other critters all press for space in the face of habitat loss. The arrival of new species is also changing the character of our surroundings. Will exotic invasive plants from far away places overwhelm our gardens and woodlands? Mr. Alden will explain which exotic plants are taking over and how birds and insects play a role in both their proliferation, and at the same time, suffer from the consequences.
Mr. Alden is the founder of the Biodiversity Days movement. In 1998, at the first Biodiversity Day held in Concord and Lincoln, in one day almost 2,000 species were identified by a team of 100 expert scientists. He also spearheaded the first statewide Biodiversity Days where citizen naturalists in over 80 Massachusetts towns went into the field to do a species census. This information was a valuable and interesting snapshot of both the common and the unusual species found across Massachusetts.
Mr. Alden is the author of over a dozen nature field guides including the groundbreaking National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England. This book is a guide for identifying 1,000 of our region's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and much more. He also provides an extensive overview of the area's geology, weather patterns and natural sites.
Mr. Alden will be available for a book signing after the lecture. He will be bringing an array of the more than twelve books he has published. Feel free to bring your own copy of one of his books to be signed. This program is free and open to the general public. The lively discussion of the natural world of Wellesley will be of interest to young and old alike, although it is probably not suitable for very young children. Call 781-235-1864 for more information.
October 26, 2005
Meet Wellesley 's Own Batman!
Dr. Thomas Kunz, Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology at Boston University, and noted bat expert, will share with young and old the importance of bats in the world's ecosystem in his presentation “Why Should You Care about Bats?” This event will be held at the Wellesley Community Center , 219 Washington St. on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Kunz will present a brief overview of bat characteristics such as what distinguishes bats from other mammals, what different species look like, how many kinds of bats are known in the World, where they live, what they eat and their importance to both the natural and human-altered ecosystems. He will speak about the feeding and roosting habits of selected bat species such as those in temperate regions such as New England including tent-making bats, cave-roosting bats and hibernating bats. Myths about bats are found in many cultures, in movies, comic books and on television. Dr. Kunz will talk about some of the common myths and folklore about bats, how bats are being threatened by human activities and why it is important to protect and preserve bats and the habitats on which they depend. He will try to bring a live bat with him (don't worry, it will not fly around) but will definitely bring and demonstrate some of the special equipment he uses to study bats in hollow trees and caves.
Dr. Kunz has been on the faculty of Boston University for the past 34 years. His research focuses on the ecology, behavior, evolution and conservation biology of bats. He is the author or co-author of over 200 publications and is the editor of Ecology of Bats (Plenum Press, 1982) and co-editor of Bat Biology and Conservation (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998) and Functional and Evolutionary Ecology of Bats (Oxford University Press, in press). He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, past president of the American Society of Mammologists and a recipient of the Gerrit S. Miller Jr. Award and the C. Hart Merriam Award. He is currently funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Park Service, where his research focuses on assessing the ecological and economic impact of Brazilian free-tailed bats on agro-ecosystems and the influence of environmental factors on the prevalence of rabies infections in two species of North American insectivorous bats. He has pioneered the applications of infrared thermal imaging in ecology and behavior.
“Why Should You Care about Bats?” is bound to be an exciting program for all ages. Dr. Kunz has spoken at the Young Scientists' programs at the library and has been a Wellesley resident for 30 years. Admission is free and this program is open to the public.