Have you ever noticed the Tree City USA signs at the “borders” to Weston? Currently, they read “18 years” and as of tomorrow, the digits will turn to the 19th year of Weston as a Tree City USA. Being a Tree City means that the town has made a commitment, financial and operational, to planting trees and follows certain guidelines
Read moreThis morning I am listening to the morning calls of various brown and grey birds (I am SUPER good at bird-watching) after falling asleep last night to the sound of Stony Brook’s wetland peepers. In a few minutes, I will be leaving to walk the intrepid Katie Puppy in College Pond conservation woods where we will be serenaded by nuthatches
Read moreIn the winter of 2021, the Owl enrolled in the Penn State Arborist Short Course–one of the only silver linings during Covid’s worst days was the availability of online coursework. Penn State does not normally offer the course remotely, and the Owl, having no plans or desire to move to Pennsylvania, took advantage of this opportune moment to take what
Read moreOne of the first signs of imminent spring is so-called “Big Night” which is not, in fact, a movie about crazy Italians, but rather an exciting and somewhat terrifying (for the little amphibians) experience as they migrate from their upland overwintering habitat to their spring breeding grounds. Actually, I don’t know if little beasties feel terror, but I feel it
Read moreOn too-cold-to-go-out mornings like this one, the Owl likes to ruminate on some of the conservation spaces in the town of Weston. As a town, I consider us the luckiest on this planet in terms of prior and current residents who saved open space for the enjoyment of all. At some point, the Owl will be doing a larger historical
Read moreNOTE: Due to extreme cold predicted for this Saturday, this event has been postponed. This Saturday, January 15, Weston Conservation and Weston Forest & Trail Association (WFTA) are leading a clean-up focused Stewardship Saturday at the Weston Reservoir, aka the Ash Street Reservoir. Volunteers are invited, with escort, “behind the fence” on the south side of the Reservoir to pick
Read moreLooking to avoid more shopping, wrapping, cooking, etc, and instead want to spend a couple of hours making Weston a better place? Well, Weston Forest & Trail Association and Weston Conservation have an opportunity for you! In this month’s edition of Stewardship Saturday, held every third Saturday from 10 am – 12 pm, volunteers will be clearing the old Merriam
Read moreOn Sunday, November 7, the Owl attended a fascinating talk sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and given by Alison Field-Juma, the Executive Director of OARS, a 501c3 organization whose mission is to “protect, improve and preserve the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers, their tributaries and watersheds, for public recreation, water supply, and wildlife habitat.” By way of a
Read moreDid you know that Weston has 2,000 acres of conserved land and 90+ miles of trails? Most of this land is owned by the Town of Weston, while a small portion is owned by Weston Forest & Trail Association (WFTA), a 501c3 organization. WFTA is responsible for maintenance of trails, view points and field trails on these acres, which is
Read moreSo much to do, so little time! And you know for whom the bell tolls on this wonderful fall weather so might as well take advantage of all that’s offered this weekend, organized or not. Realize that the trails are glorious right now: find your next one at http://www.westonforesttrail.org. Here are some suggestions for your weekend, and go ‘Cats! Friday,
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