Post Spring Meeting Notes - 2012

Discussion of the issue of dumping that continues at several conservation areas. Photographs and exact locations are to go to Elizabeth for follow-up of various options.

The interdependent relationship between the Steward Group and the Trails Committee was emphasized by Yan. As head steward she attends the monthly meetings of the Tails Committee and shares the relevant field report items on which you report. Yan provided a copy of the Trails Committee 2011 Annual Report that lists the prior year’s accomplishments (includes installation of bog bridges and posts, brushing trails, and much more) and the present year’s plans, which the Trails Committee is required to publish in advance. You can see by this how important the input of the conservation land stewards plays in caring for Bedford’s 25+ conservation areas.

Please volunteer to lead an informal trail walk in your area on a first Saturday morning of any month. The monthly trail walk is a program run by the Trails Committee who will help you with the details. 

We are missing field reports on Huckins Farm Trails, Shawsheen River, and Webber/Vanderhoof. These are needed to efficiently plan the work of the summer crew this year and for the planning by the Trails Committee. Thank you.

Website manager Peter Desjardins said several of you tried unsuccessfully to send email to the stewards' email list (bedford-land-stewards@googlegroups.com). The stewards' email list is for announcements only; members cannot post messages. The list is configured that way to minimize the number of messages that members receive. All field reports should be sent directly to Elizabeth and Yan. Any photos are very much welcomed on the website. Continually, announcements regarding steward affairs are on the site to view. Send photos or communication to the website to: bedfordlandstewards@gmail.com.

You may be receiving a form requesting your impressions of your area to help with the descriptions in the development of a new Bedford Trails Guide booklet of the conservation areas. This is under the guidance of Peter Desjardins for the Trails Committee. Please help the writers of this guide with your personal highlights. You won’t be quoted!

Elizabeth announced there’s added acreage to the Clark Conservation Area off Davis Rd. This extension will mean a varied habitat of trees and a brook added to that part of the field.

A special event is planned for the Bedford portion of the Concord River for the celebration known as Riverfest on June 23, 24. Stewards Dan Hurwitz will lead the boats paddling from the Town launching area on Rt. 225 to the Two Brothers Rocks and Yan Thomas will lead a trail walk from Old Causeway Rd. off Rt. 225 to the Two Brothers Rocks through the Harvard and Huckins Farm trail system. The Historic Preservation Commission will elaborate on the history of the area at the “rocks.” All sizes welcome.

The plan is to have a summer work crew program, and if secured Elizabeth may need to be in touch with you about your area.

Sign and return a town waiver form to Elizabeth if you plan to do any kind of work in your area. As a land steward you may want to sign this form anyway to be covered.

Agenda for the Spring 2012 Meeting

Bedford Conservation Land Stewards

Spring Meeting April 26, 2012

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Conservation Areas & Stewards Roster Updates (Yan & Elizabeth)

Trails Guide in Progress –Input from Stewards form (steward Peter Desjardins)

Conservation Commission – (Elizabeth)

“Riverfest” Planning – Bedford sector June 23, 24

Downed Tree List

Volunteer Waiver Forms

Trails Committee update – Map boxes + (Yan, steward rep)

Website Update (Peter Desjardins, mgr)

Field Reports – Highlights & Issues

Spring 2012 Meeting

The 2012 spring meeting of the Bedford conservation land stewards is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th. We will meet in the upper conference room of the Bedford town hall at 7:30 p.m.

Please submit a field report for your conservation area before the meeting. Complete the form that is available here and send it by email to both Yan Thomas and Elizabeth Bagdonas. Their email addresses are provided on the field report form.

The stewards are heavily relied upon to update the conditions and needs of our town’s conservation areas. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Please send any agenda items for the meeting to Yan Thomas, head land steward. Thank you!