Resources
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Looking for new places that aren't hours away? Then check out the Massachusetts Department of Recreation Programs and Events site The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) depends on members and volunteers to educate, advocate, conserve, and protect the Nashua River Watershed spanning 31 communities in north central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The Ecotarium, (formerly the New England Science Center), is one of our area gems. They feature everything from a planetarium to Friday night jazz concerts in the summer, under the stars. They have a wide variety of wildlife, and educational programs devoted to nature and the environment. The Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest private, statewide conservation and preservation organization. Since 1891, they have protected over 33,000 acres of land in Massachusetts, including 82 public reservations representing many of the state's most scenic, ecologically rich, and historically important landscapes. Use this web site to search for a reservation to visit. Learn about their origins, mission, and milestones. Keep current on conservation projects and stewardship programs. Become a member or sign-up as a volunteer. Attend a special event. Stay in a Trustees B&B. Or, plan a private function with them. The Trustees of Reservations have a special campground, atTully Lake. It not only features hiking, canoe/kayak rentals, and bike paths, but is handicapped accessible. The Greater Worcester Land Trust is concerned with acquiring, preserving, and maintaining land in the area, most specifically around the Boynton Park area. The Nature Conservancy has acquired and is acquiring lands in an area that includes parts of Southbridge, Sturbridge, Holland and Wales, Mass. and Woodstock, Pomfret, Union and other towns in Connecticut. It is a huge area of hills, streams and lakes known as the "Quinebaug Highlands" and is part of an area referred to as "The Last Green Valley". The latter is a sparsely developed area that is the only dark area between Boston and Washington on a nighttime satellite photo. There are some great hiking/nature walk possibilities right in the Chapter's back yard that are relatively unknown to us. The Blackstone Valley Historical Corridor is one of the gems of Central Mass. One of our members, who's an engineer, regularly leads local walks to inspect the 100 year old locks. The Massachusetts Audubon Society has a presence in Worcester, at the Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. They have a nature trail, and tours for kids as well as classes in conservation and birding. Wachusett Greenways is a grass roots team of volunteers working to expand a network of trails and open spaces linking our communities. They regularly meet to build and maintain trails, improve open spaces, and reach out to the six towns they serve to promote sustainable and environmentally sensitive use of green spaces. They envision an expanded network of trails and roads for non-motorized recreation and transportation in the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston (in Central Massachusetts, USA). Their largest current project is the Mass Central Rail Trail, of which 1.3 miles have been completed and 30 miles are under development. Volunteers are welcome for a day of trail work or a long-term dedication of your talents in developing trails. They have grown from under 40 members to over 400 in the last 4 years and are proud of their accomplishments. The Charlton Heritage Preservation Trust is a new 501(c)3 land trust serving Charlton, MA. Their site features current projects, conservancy definitions, and information about conservation efforts in Charlton.
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