Groton Conservation Trust … · Groton. Tom brings his "forest forensics" program to Groton and...

Groton Conservation Trust

Wattles Pond

Your donation to the GCT helps us manage over 1400 acresof conservation lands, protecting valuable habitat

and creating recreational opportunities for all.

Dear Susan,

Tom Wessels: June 14 We look forward to bringing Tom Wessels back toGroton. Tom brings his "forest forensics" program to Grotonand leads a hike. Tom is an ecologist and founding directorof the master's degree program in Conservation Biology atAntioch University New England. Of his many books,Reading the Forested Landscape endures as a classic forestguide.

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Groton Trails Website

Friend-Raiser! For our 50th anniversary,we have a goal to bring on50 new members at a

June 2014 News from Groton Conservation Trust https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe...

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Tom will begin his talk with a presentation at 1 PM at theGroton School Library Conference Room. This will befollowed by a walk on the Gamlin Crystal Spring propertywith Tom narrating what he sees. Even if you have hiked thisproperty before, this guarantees to be a new experience!

The program is free, but registration is requested. PutWessels in the "subject" line of the Contact Us form.

This program is made possible with agrant from the Groton

Commissioners of Trust Funds.

The GCT Opposes the Proposed Route ofthe NE Pipeline Expansion

The Trust opposes the siting of the Tennessee Gas pipelineexpansion project that is currently being proposed by KinderMorgan. Their route is across conservation properties ofcritical concern in New England. We do not support usingconservation land for the pipeline as it would have great impacton the protected habitat of endangered species that we haveworked so hard to establish. Further, disturbing the existinghabitat invites invasive species into this critical biodiversity,something we are working hard to eradicate on all ourproperties. We will work with state groups such as the Natural Heritageand Endangered Species Program and the Executive Office ofEnergy and Environmental Affairs to make sure KinderMorgan understands the full environmental impact of thisroute. Specifically, we are concerned about Wattles Pond, the GCTproperty affected by the proposed expansion, and you can readmore about this property below.

$50/family membership. Your membership says youcare about the beautifulopen spaces in Groton andyou enjoy the recreation, thepeace, and the naturalhabitat that is possible bymaintaining these openspaces. Your annualmembership helps us keepthese properties beautiful,enjoyable, and mostimportant, protected.

If you are not a member,join today. Already amember? Send a friend ourway! Help us make ourfriend-raiser goal!

50th Anniversary:Family/$50.00

How can you helpwith the GCT?

There are many waysvolunteers can help withthe work of the GCT:

monitor propertiesby becoming aland stewardassist with specialprojects like our50th anniversaryeventsvolunteer withwork groups forclearing andinvasive controllend expertise tothe work ofTrustees

Interested? Contact


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We feel the route of this pipeline is damaging to criticalprotected environments and we urge an alternative approach.More information and some links to the many conversationsand letters about the pipeline project can be found on ourwebsite.

Getting to KnowWattles Pond Conservation Area

The MA NaturalHeritage Program'sBioMap2 program showsthat Wattles Pond is lessthan 300 meters from a"Priority Habitat of RareSpecies".

Wattles Pond wasdonated to the trust for

preservation in 1980 by the owners, the Rinaldos andMandersons. It was the site for ice harvesting for the town ofGroton at one point in its history. When you see the smooth,accessible surface, you will see why. Learn more about what makes Wattles Pond special, like thefact that you can find one of the few Black Tupelo trees inGroton is here!

From the GCT President: The Northeastern expansion of theTennessee gas pipeline must be on everyagenda of local conservation groups now. It is a heated issue and has manycomplicated layers. And like most chargedissues, there is a great deal of informationposted everywhere, some helpful, somejust not factual. There have been informational meetingshere in Groton and surrounding townswhich have been full to capacity. Theupcoming meeting on June 23 at

Susan Hughes fordetails.

Harlan theGnome is Backand Hiding!

Somewhere out there onone of the GCT's propertiesis Harlan, our woodGnome. He hides untilsomeone finds him. Thefirst one to find himreceives a $25 gift certificateto Johnson's for ice cream. Here's a hint: right now heis 80 feet from the trail. Ifyou spot him, EMAIL usto claim your prize!

June Outdoors

Thanks to MaryMetzger, you can printan Outdoors GrotonCalendar for all eventsin June. Enjoy!

GCT Events


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Lawrence Academy will be the first timefor Groton citizens to meet with KinderMorgan, the company behind theproposed expansion. No matter how youfeel about this issue, we encourage you toattend this meeting and get all the facts.In addition, there is another townmeeting with our elected officials onMonday, June 16 at the G-D middleschool auditorium. This is anotheropportunity for you to hear what yourneighbors are thinking and voice youropinions and concerns to our town. The GCT, like other conservation groups,opposes the use of conservation land forthis pipeline. The NRWA letter outlinesthe many environmental and ecologicalconcerns that we trustees share. We also hope to see you at one of themany events we will be at this summer;they are all listed on the side. ParticularlyI hope you join us for Tom Wessels, avery special presentation made possibleby the Groton Commissioners of TrustFunds. Registration is appreciated, andthe link will take you there.

Daniel Wolfe President

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June 8, 11 - 5 PMGreenway River FestivalNashua Boat Launch

June 14, 1 - 4 PMTom Wessels, GrotonSchool LibraryConference Room

Sept. 20, 10 - 5 PMGrotonFestLegion Field

Nov. 8, 2-4 PMGCT Birthday BashWilliams Barn

MORE information! Come see us!

The Groton Conservation Trust is a private, non-profit land trust in Groton, Massachusetts. It wasfounded in 1964 to acquire, preserve, and provide public access to lands with significant conservationvalue. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of Groton residents with variedbackgrounds, occupations and interests.

You are receiving this email as an interested member of the GCT. If you no longer wish to receivethis email, click HERE and note "remove me" in the subject line. Thank you.


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Groton Conservation Trust … · Groton. Tom brings his "forest forensics" program to Groton and...

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