Trustees | Special Places | Winter 2021-22

FOR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE TRUSTEES

Fresh Air Here Inhale, enjoy, repeat

Experience Massachusetts’ largest Nordic ski area!

©J.MONKMAN

X-Country Ski and Snowshoe on 25 miles of trails through 3,100 acres of rolling Berkshires terrain Member discounts available: • Season Pass $69 thetrustees.org/skipass • Discounts on rental gear, retail, ski tickets, lessons and all programs

Notchview

Route 9, Windsor thetrustees.org/notchview IFC2

THE TRUSTEES

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE

New England Triennial to Spotlight 25 Artists at deCordova, Fruitlands The Trustees is pleased to announce the New England Triennial 2022 exhibition, which will feature 25 diverse and ambitious New England-based artists.

Formerly the deCordova New England Biennial, the Triennial has been a mainstay of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s programming and mission since 1989. The popular exhibition will now span the Trustees Allison Maria Rodriguez, all that moves, 2021. Video two museums—deCordova in Lincoln still from video installation. Courtesy of the artist. and Fruitlands Museum in Harvard— and the wider platform will feature existing artwork, new commissions, and artistic performances. “We are delighted to present this diverse group of contemporary artists who have been working through challenging and transformational times with considerable resilience and creativity,” said Triennial Co-organizer Sarah Montross, senior curator, deCordova Museum. “This survey exhibition gives a platform for many dynamic artistic contributions of our region and takes the pulse of our contemporary moment,” adds Triennial Co-organizer Shana Dumont Garr, curator at Fruitlands Museum. The New England Triennial will be on view at both museums from April 8 through September 11, 2022.

Visit thetrustees.org/exhibitions.

Large-Scale Installation by Rose B. Simpson Coming to Holmes Reservation This spring, Holmes Reservation in Plymouth will be the site of the latest in the Trustees’ Art & the Landscape series, mixed-media artist Rose B. Simpson’s large-scale installation Counterculture. Featuring twelve figural sculptures standing tall to honor generations of marginalized people and cultures, Counterculture is being created specifically for Holmes, which overlooks Artist’s rendering of Counterculture, courtesy of Rose the harbor where Pilgrims on the B. Simpson.

Mayflower “discovered” America.

“The Plymouth Rock we were taught about in school has much to do with assumption, extraction, and colonization, but I want to consider the disregarded world and the spirit of the natural world,” Simpson said. “My work is intended to translate our humanity back to us and honor the living experiences of those who have suffered and continue to suffer.” Simpson descends from a tribe famous for ceramics made by women since the 6th century. Her work builds on this tradition while also addressing the emotional and existential impacts of our collective humanity. “Rose is an extraordinarily talented artist with whom we’re partnering at a truly unique inflection point in this country’s history,” said Jocelyn Forbush, Trustees’ Acting President and CEO. “We support Rose’s work as a thoughtful and respectful acknowledgment of the people whose stories tend to be marginalized or forgotten by history.” For information about Art & the Landscape and this installation, visit thetrustees.org/artxlandscape.

©SHUN LIANG PHOTOGRAPHY

John D. Judge, President and CEO, The Trustees of Reservations. Coolidge Reservation, Manchester, MA.

John Judge named Trustees Fifth President and CEO On December 6, 2021, following an eightmonth search process, the Trustees Board of Directors announced the appointment of John D. Judge as the organization’s fifth President and CEO. Judge, who has been President and CEO at the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) for the past ten years, will assume his role on February 1, 2022.

As President and CEO, Judge will oversee all aspects of management for The Trustees, and will lead the organization by setting strategy, advancing programmatic goals, fostering environmental innovation, and supporting a culture of diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity. Judge will also work closely with the Board Chair and Directors to develop and nurture The Trustees’ outstanding staff and ensure effective governance and leadership. “We are pleased to welcome John to The Trustees at a time when our shared future depends so much on our ability to connect with the natural world and with each other in healthy ways,” said Nicie Panetta, Board of Directors Vice Chair and Chair of the Executive Search Committee. “John impressed us with his

passion for outdoor citizenship and his focus on making the work of The Trustees both accessible and inspiring to everyone in the Commonwealth. His track record of success as a national voice for climate and environmental justice will enable The Trustees to build on its existing initiatives in these critical areas.”

COURTESY OF JOHN JUDGE

As President and CEO of the AMC for nearly a decade, Judge’s leadership has been rooted in community-building, increasing access to and engagement with the outdoors for all people, and tackling climate change. He has long-standing expertise in conservation policy, outdoor recreational infrastructure, nature system services, and climate resiliency,

and has been an advocate for welcoming new and more diverse audiences, with a focus on creative partnerships. Prior to the AMC, Judge was the Chief City Planning and Economic Development Officer for the City of Springfield. During this time, he oversaw redevelopment in Springfield including various commercial and industrial projects and the establishment of the University of Massachusetts Design Center. Judge received his BA in Economics from Stonehill College, and his Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

“I am thrilled to bring my enthusiasm and appreciation for the outdoors to the depth and breadth of work that is The Trustees,” said Judge. “We are in a timely and unique position to be ambitious in our approach to historic, urban, and rural conservation. Our beautiful coastlines, agricultural land, and many cultural and historic sites are all a part of the fabric of Massachusetts. It is crucial to preserve these spaces and ensure that they are accessible to our entire community. And just as Massachusetts leads the country in medicine, life sciences, and biotechnology, so too are we a leader in solving problems related to climate change. Through its work in conservation, preservation, and place making, The Trustees has the opportunity to become a potent national voice in addressing the climate crisis, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Since the fall of 2020, Jocelyn Forbush has served as Acting President and CEO of The Trustees, following the illness and subsequent passing of longtime President and CEO Barbara Erickson. Forbush will return to her prior role as Executive Vice President of The Trustees. “We have immense gratitude for Jocelyn’s stewardship through one of the most challenging years in organizational history including a global pandemic and the passing of Barbara Erickson,” said Peter B. Coffin, Chair of The Trustees Board of Directors. “The great work of The Trustees continues to embrace and reflect our mission to connect people to the joy of time spent in our open spaces. We thank Jocelyn for calmly leading through turmoil while ensuring our financial stability and retaining our valued staff.”

WINTER 2021-22

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OUT AND ABOUT

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE

Trustees Presents 130th Annual Meeting

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©TRUSTEES

For the second year in a row, the Trustees Annual Meeting went online. On November 4, 2021, Trustees Board of Directors members and staff executives participated in a unique live-format Zoom presentation hosted from the Trustees home office in Boston. Volunteer leaders, staff, and other special friends tuned in to hear reports and comments from members of the Board of Directors, including Chair Peter Coffin (pictured above, with Trustees Acting President and CEO Jocelyn Forbush), as well as updates on key strategic initiatives from senior staff members. In addition, new members of the governance boards were approved, and video tributes were given for the Employee and Volunteer of the Year (see page 24). Participants also heard about Armstrong-Kelley Park and the Cape Cod Horticultural Society, this year’s Charles Eliot Award winners as the Trustees’ Conservationists of the Year (see page 7), from Dierdre Dow-Chase, the Society’s President.

To conclude the evening, Acting President and CEO Jocelyn Forbush spoke about three profound changes that have shifted or accelerated Trustees’ work in the last year: the importance of the outdoors and nature in our lives; the urgent mandate for creating material social change and greater equity in our culture; and the existential crisis of our changing climate, which has evolved to a critical point. The entire meeting and presentations were recorded and remain available for all to view, at thetrustees.org/annualmeeting.

Annual Report Published

3 1. At World’s End in Hingham, the two enormous piles of debris from fall storms provided a glimpse of the immense cleanup effort taken on by Trustees stewardship teams here and at reservations across the state.

The Trustees Annual Report for 2021 has been published—both digitally and in print—and mailed to all Founders Circle-level donors. The 44-page Report includes financial highlights and departmental reports for the 2021 Fiscal Year, as well as calendar year highlights and current updates from across the organization on progress towards the goals of the Trustees 2023 Strategic Plan, Momentum.

The Trustees Annual Report is available for all to view at thetrustees.org/annualreport.

CONTENTS

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Garden of Delights

Welcome to Armstrong-Kelley Park 2

THE TRUSTEES

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Cape Cod Horticultural Society

Conservationists of the Year

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2. Students from UMass Amherst helped with litter removal and trail maintenance at Land of Providence in Holyoke and several other Pioneer Valley reservations in October.

3. Trustees Members drive classic cars. Seen at Castle Hill’s Vintage Car Climb in October, this classic also claimed to have climbed Mt. Washington!

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Making a Difference for our Shores

Volunteering for research & education

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Winter programs & events, statewide

What’s happening at Trustees reservations

Things To Do

Fresh Air Here

©SHUN LIANG PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear Members: We are closing in on the end of 2021, an extraordinary year in the life of The Trustees. There is so much to be thankful for in the year that has just ended and so much to look forward to in the new year ahead, from new reservations to new leadership to new initiatives and ways for everyone to be involved in our work.

Preserving some of Massachusetts’ most iconic landscapes and providing more open space for all is always at the forefront of our work. We are thrilled to introduce you to three new places that have just recently joined the Trustees portfolio of reservations. ArmstrongKelley Park, an 8.5-acre oasis in Osterville, became a Trustees reservation just this past fall. We are grateful for the remarkable job the Cape Cod Horticultural Society has done in caring for the park for 90 years, and we are honored to be able to steward this public garden for many years ahead.

Also this fall, Becket Historic Quarry and Forest became a Trustees property through an agreement with the Becket Land Trust, which had owned and managed the popular location for more than 20 years. We are looking forward to assessing the extensive trail system and safety aspects on this 300-acre site in the coming months as we prepare to officially open it as our 123rd reservation later in 2022.

And as I write this, we are preparing to close on the Trustees’ purchase of 66 additional acres at Moraine Farm in Beverly, as we outlined in the fall issue of Special Places. We are excited to soon be able to open this historic property to the public.

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Super Bowls

Homemade winter warmers

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Growing a Garden Community

Volunteer of the Year Renee Burgess

Exciting news in Trustees leadership has just been announced as well. In early December, the Board of Directors appointed John D. Judge as the fifth President and CEO of The Trustees. We are all eagerly anticipating John’s arrival in February and the tremendous experience and new perspectives he brings to the organization.

We are thrilled to see the inaugural group of 17 volunteers begin their training to become Trustees coastal educators.

Our work to protect our vulnerable coast will receive a significant boost as this dedicated crew begins to spread the message of what we all can do to respond to the threat of climate change. Volunteers are so incredibly valuable to our work and to our mission—and we are so thankful for the work of all our volunteers across the state.

In the spirit of the new year, I hope you will be able to come out and try a new program or maybe visit a new property this winter season. There are so many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the fresh, crisp winter air at our special places, and we invite you to bring a friend and introduce them to all we are doing.

I am so thankful to you for your continued support of the Trustees mission—your membership, your visits to our properties, your gifts, and your participation in our programs all contribute to our ability to protect more land and provide more open and accessible spaces for all to enjoy.

Warm regards,

Jocelyn Forbush Acting President & CEO

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Lace Up & Head Out

Hit the trails with Hike Trustees

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COVER: WORLD’S END, HINGHAM ©TRUSTEES/P. MAROTTA

Statewide Map You Belong Here!

WINTER 2021-22

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Garden of Delights

©TRUSTEES

WELCOME TO ARMSTRONG-KELLEY PARK

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BY JEFF HARDER

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAPE COD TIMES

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In whipping winds and pelting rain, Cindy Brockway still saw rays of sunshine when she set eyes on Armstrong-Kelley Park. It was October 2019 and Brockway was part of a Trustees contingent, led by late CEO and president Barbara Erickson, who’d shrugged off a Cape Cod nor’easter to poke around this rare slice of open space set back from Osterville’s village center. Despite topping out at just eight and a half acres, ArmstrongKelley Park was full of surprises: manicured lawns and glorious flower beds, oaks and pines fringing trails and walking paths straight out of northern New Hampshire, a hand-dug fish pond and eye-catching specimen trees, including one that hasn’t been seen in the wild since the 18th century.

“There’s so much diversity in its topography and in its growing conditions,” says Brockway, Trustees’ Program Director for Cultural Resources, “and it’s all within a small parcel of land.”

Just over two years after that fateful, stormy visit, Armstrong-Kelley Park has been officially integrated into The Trustees’ portfolio. Since its founding in 1930, Armstrong-Kelley Park has grown into the Cape’s largest, oldest privately-owned park open to the public; a year-round destination for families, dog walkers, and picnickers; and place of perennial respite even as the seasons oscillate between calm and clamor.

The property’s splendid condition owes to the all-volunteer Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS), The Trustees’ 2021 Conservationists of the Year (see page 7), who’ve nurtured and shaped its terrain with professional-level skill. And in writing the park’s next chapter, The Trustees holds tight to all that’s come before.

“For 91 years, Armstrong-Kelley Park has endured as a soothing, tranquil, and horticulturally versatile place, near and dear to residents and visitors on the Mid-Cape,” says Jocelyn Forbush, Trustees’ Acting President & CEO. “As individual properties, each of our gardens provides opportunities for quiet reflection, artistic inspiration, and the joy of exploration and discovery. Through the park’s integration with The Trustees, we’re proud to carry on the Cape Cod Horticultural Society’s long legacy of

NEW RESERVATION

CONCEPTUAL RENDERING COURTESY OF MIKYOUNG KIM DESIGN

This conceptual rendering provides a glimpse of what is to come at Armstrong-Kelley Park.

An enlarged main green, accessible paths, expanded pond, garden rooms, and children’s play area, along with a parking area for approximately 10 cars, will greet visitors and make access more convenient. The initial phase of work is anticipated to be completed in late spring.

stewardship, and we’re eager to help new audiences discover its variety and splendor.”

In 1928—when Cape Cod was better known for farming and fishing than vacation homes and mooring waitlists—78 charter members founded the CCHS to put their gardening talents to work. Two years later, at the suggestion of the family’s chief gardener, Mrs. Marion Kelley and Mrs. Mary Martha McClarey—daughters of building materials magnate Charles D. Armstrong— donated eight and a half acres of land in downtown Osterville to the organization.

“It’s such a stunning moment to think about: nearly a century ago, people understood that conserving land and making parks like this available to the public was so important,” says Deirdre Dow-Chase, who in 2018 became the fifty-third president of the CCHS.

Decades of care led Armstrong-Kelley Park to its present shape. After pulling off of Main Street onto the gravel driveway entrance, a towering purple beech greets arriving visitors, while a groomed lawn and four and a half acres of trails invite further exploration. For its modest acreage, the property is eclectic: a partial inventory includes more than 250 rhododendron and azalea, a dazzling variety of magnolia, an apiary, garden rooms, and Liam’s Train, a handmade wooden locomotive that’s a magnet for children at the terminus of the Garden of Verses. The park also includes a collection of roughly 30 specimen trees, including its famous Franklinia tree, a variety that releases a mild honeysuckle fragrance when it blooms and hasn’t been spotted growing in the wild since 1790.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAPE COD TIMES

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On appearance alone, you’d think Armstrong-Kelley Park was the work of a world-class landscape design firm instead of a small, all-volunteer nonprofit. But aside from big jobs like taking down trees and grinding stumps—and, in 1991, hiring a landscape architect to formulate the master plan behind the current iteration of the park—the CCHS has been solely responsible for keeping the park in good repair. “These folks reminded me of those Yankee gardeners that were stoic, dedicated, and willing to work hard,” Brockway says. “So many public parks have ebbs and flows, where their care goes to extremes depending on funding. But [CCHS members] have really given their lives and dedicated themselves to the weekly and annual maintenance to make this place sing.”

But lately, Dow-Chase says, it’s been hard to find new recruits: younger generations scarcely have the time that maintaining the park demands. As CCHS membership dwindled in recent years, the organization and its shoestring budget had reached unsustainable limits. (“At one point, we had a 92 year-old going up a ladder with a chainsaw,” Dow-Chase says.) Meanwhile, the land that makes up Armstrong-Kelley Park wasn’t permanently protected. In 2018, the CCHS met with one question on its mind: how can we secure the park’s future?

What happened next, Dow-Chase says, was something like providence. A CCHS member’s nephew who worked for The Trustees mentioned that the organization

was looking to expand in places where it hadn’t had a significant presence, like the Cape, and the two organizations began talking. A few weeks later, Dow-Chase was escorting Erickson, Brockway, and company around Armstrong-Kelley Park during that nor’easter. Their rain gear was still damp when Erickson told the CCHS to expect a letter of intent.

“...they tell us that this is the best-kept secret on Cape Cod.” “I’m glad I was sitting down when she told us,” Dow-Chase says. “…The Trustees have a world-class reputation, an enormous membership and visitor base, and the experience of bringing on 120 properties into their fold. That experience can’t be found anywhere else in the world.”

In 2020, both organizations approved a plan to integrate the park into The Trustees’ property portfolio, following a $2.2 million fundraising campaign. Though the Covid-19 pandemic dashed plans for cocktail parties with big crowds, smaller events and intimate tours of the property stirred donors’ fondness and often their memories. “Some of it was bringing people back to a place they hadn’t visited since their children were small, some of it was people saying, ‘I’ve summered here for 30 years and I had no idea this was here,’” says Jenna Gomes, Trustees’ Associate Director of Philanthropy, who led fundraising efforts for the park.

With the park still on a horticultural high note, The Trustees’ plans for ArmstrongKelley Park center on enhancing the property’s existing horticulture, improving accessibility, and carving out additional space for community events. CCHS members, meanwhile, will serve as advisors on the park’s property committee, and they’ve been invited to continue caring for the park as volunteers.

“It’s really important that we’re listening to everyone in the local community,” Gomes says. “The property committee will help us stay plugged in, make sure we’re communicating effectively, and find out what kinds of offerings would be attractive to year-round residents and summer visitors alike.”

Though relinquishing the park was a difficult decision, Dow-Chase and her CCHS colleagues are confident it was the correct one. “We wanted to secure the park for future generations, and that’s exactly what we did,” she says. There’s a decided advantage to the integration, too: infused with the resources of The Trustees, more people than ever are poised to visit this place that the CCHS have loved so deeply and so demonstrably. Until now, Dow-Chase says, new visitors have found Armstrong-Kelley Park after Googling for someplace with picnic tables. “Almost to a person, they tell us that this is the best-kept secret on Cape Cod. Now I say to them: ‘not for much longer.’”

Jeff Harder is a freelance writer and editor who lives in New England.

VISIT Armstrong-Kelley Park 675 Main Street Osterville, MA 02655 WHEN TO VISIT • Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset ADMISSION • FREE to all • Dogs are welcome, on-leash only INFORMATION thetrustees.org/akp PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAPE COD TIMES

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THE TRUSTEES

CHARLES ELIOT AWARD

©ABOVE SUMMIT

2021 CONSERVATIONISTS OF THE YEAR

Cape Cod Horticultural Society For nearly a century, Armstrong-Kelley Park in Osterville has quietly thrived as a garden oasis and treasured community resource. It’s the site of routines that have become familiar: an early-morning ramble in the woods before heading to the office, a picnic lunch ahead of a sun-soaked afternoon at the beach. Perhaps less familiar are the hearty few who, generation after generation, have ensured the park remains welcoming and well-kept.

“All we have are rickety sheds, broken-down lawnmowers, and a fierce group of people,” chuckles Deirdre Dow-Chase, president of the Cape Cod Horticultural Society.

As The Trustees’ 2021 Charles Eliot Award recipient for Conservationists of the Year, the Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS) is earning well-deserved recognition for turning a patch of land fortuitously donated in 1930 into the Cape’s largest, oldest privately-owned park open to the public.

Founded in 1928 by what was largely a group of professional gardeners, the CCHS has tended and sustained Armstrong-Kelley Park with a remarkable level of skill and devotion.

Every Thursday morning, the CCHS volunteers—mostly septuagenarians and older—convene for rigorous work on site, carrying out virtually every task: mowing

the lawn; weeding massive plantings of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees; feeding fish; maintaining the boardwalk’s 1,500 planks; and overseeing the four and a half acres of trails. When they pack up, most CCHS members take on all administrative duties, organizing children’s activities, fundraising events, fixing equipment, and other tasks. “Everybody has their niche and does it well, and collectively we’ve become fast friends,” Dow-Chase says.

As the CCHS assists during the integration of Armstrong-Kelley Park into the Trustees portfolio and a series of coming improvements to the park, the fruits of their labor are as apparent as ever. Meantime, while reflecting on the gratitude she feels for the Conservationists of the Year honor, DowChase often thinks on the past generations who sustained the CCHS and ArmstrongKelley Park to this point. “It’s not just the eight of us: it’s all the people who came before us,” Dow-Chase says. “It’s a legacy, and it’s a legacy we can be very proud of.”

Deirdre Dow-Chase, third from left, and members of the Cape Cod Horticultural Society Board at Armstrong-Kelley Park.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CCHS

WINTER 2021-22

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COASTAL FOCUS

Making a Difference for our Shores New programs provide opportunities for coastal research and education

BY CHRISTINE BOYNTON, TRUSTEES STAFF

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THE TRUSTEES

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From Newbury to Nantucket to Westport, the Massachusetts shoreline captivates us in ways that are both difficult to articulate and easy to understand. Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to more than 120 miles of coastline under Trustees care, a diversity of landscapes encompassing sweeping barrier beaches, expansive salt marsh, and rolling green lawns sloping towards the surf. And yet in the age of rising seas and stronger storms, these same places have become some of the most ecologically vulnerable parts of New England.

With every passing season the toll of climate change grows starker, impacting natural places, wildlife, and public enjoyment. Recent Trustees research— including a 2017 Climate Vulnerability Assessment and two State of the Coast reports (see Special Places, Fall 2021)— underscores impacts like flooding and erosion that are expected to intensify in the next decade and accelerate after 2050.

Stewardship of the coast means facing a future barreling toward the present.

Now, those who are drawn to these beloved reservations have ways to make a real impact on their future. The Trustees has several programs designed to give volunteers—seasoned veterans and newcomers alike—a better understanding of the challenges up and down the coast, and a chance to help find solutions. Working side by side with experts in environmental sciences and ecology, volunteers in the

Trustees Coastal Volunteer Corps and the Coastal Education Volunteer training program benefit these precious landscapes while building tangible connections to the Trustees’ mission.

“One of the things that impresses me most about our volunteers is the uniquely powerful dedication people have when they volunteer with us,” says Bob Bowers, Trustees Director of Volunteer Services.

“Our volunteers have a great love and appreciation for the mission—whether it’s a project on the coast or at a barn, the connection to mission is substantial.

You can see hands-on ways people are making a difference in the work, and that is key. Sometimes volunteers don’t get to see the end result of their work, but here I think you do.”

People Power The Coastal Volunteer Corps program officially launched on Earth Day 2018, with a coastal cleanup on Crane Beach that attracted over 200 participants.

In the three-plus years since, the Corps has become integral to a wide range of important work, including a beach profiling program and salt marsh mosquito and breeding bird monitoring projects. Data from this work is gathered and tracked

by Trustees ecologists, bolstering the in-depth work being done by staff on-theground, tracking and analyzing changes and trends.

Above: Members of the first cohort of volunteers in the Trustees’ Coastal Education Volunteer training program begin their studies on Crane Beach. Left: Monthly crab monitoring at Crane Beach being performed by Coastal Volunteers Corps members Ian Hayes and Judy Graham-Garcia.

ALL PHOTOS ©TRUSTEES

Teens Prepare to Become Coastal Ambassadors In November, Trustees launched a Youth Coastal Ambassadors Program (YCAP) on Martha’s Vineyard, connecting island high school students interested in coastal studies with Trustees stewardship and resilience work. Developed through the Claire Saltonstall Education Program, the YCAP is designed to help teens develop skills in leadership, stewardship, public engagement, and education. Students take part in short training sessions and hands-on site work one Saturday each month to learn about ecology, the effects of climate change on coastal landscapes, and restoration and adaptation techniques. In fall and spring, hands-on work includes a variety of on-property stewardship and Citizen Science projects including beach profiling, salt marsh cleanups, invasive species management, and dune restoration. In winter months, students take on independently driven projects, including producing educational videos, aiding facilitators on school field trips, and interviewing Trustees employees about the work they do in the field. Teens interested in becoming a Youth Coastal Ambassador are encouraged to sign up at thetrustees.org/volunteer.

Above: On the first day of the Ambassadors program, students (from left: Sophia Kokoszka, Henry Coogan, Walker Brescia) visited Norton Point to see the beginning stage of a dune restoration project, completed a beach cleanup, and learned about beach ecosystems.

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“This data is valuable in many layers,” says Russ Hopping, Trustees Lead Ecologist, Coastal Ecology. “When it gets to a certain volume you can see the patterns, and it helps us do a better job of managing the coast.

Erosion is a daily thing that happens on a beach, and that’s okay; that’s a natural process. But we need to know where the extremes are happening, so if we need to intervene, we are ready. We can also use this kind of data to help visitors understand how the beach is changing. We want to engage people in our work… we can’t do it alone.”

Over the past year, more opportunities have been added, in partnership with Trustees ecologists, stewards and engagement staff, for those looking to make an impact on the coast. “‘People power’ is incredibly important [in this work] because you have to be present, and a paid staff of our size couldn’t hope to accomplish it all on our own,” says Bowers. “The contributing research data and tangible, physical labor that needs to happen is incredibly valuable, as well as the thought partnership that we’re seeing from volunteers.”

Diving Deeper As interest in protecting and fortifying these critical landscapes has burgeoned, Trustees has recently begun a pilot program to prepare volunteers to share their knowledge, passion, and dedication with others as trained educators. With a robust curriculum including marine ecology and interpretation, the Trustees’ Coastal Education Volunteer (CEV) training program launched this past fall at

©ABOVE SUMMIT

Paul Rybicki identifies plankton during a field session at the Crane boat dock.

Crane Beach. A group of 17 volunteers comprise the first cohort now preparing to become coastal educators—upon completing the classwork, fieldwork, and on-the-ground training, these dedicated individuals will provide support to Trustees programming and visitor engagement.

For longtime Trustees volunteers and nature enthusiasts Hannah Sinclair and Paul Rybicki, the CEV program was a natural next step. “My family and I have been members of The Trustees since I was a small child,” said Sinclair. “I recently graduated from college with a degree in community education and because I’m familiar with the organization and its mission aligns with my interests, I decided to apply for this volunteer opportunity…

I think volunteerism is a good way to

Trustees ecologist Russ Hopping leads a salt marsh field session.

make a difference, you’re informing people and through that knowledge you’re giving people tools to take action. If you don’t have knowledge of the major issues, then you’re not going to take action.”

“For our first exploration we went out into the marsh to identify the five most common items there, and learn about the site,” Rybicki says. “Mummichogs, microplankton, differences in salinity—you can learn about this in PowerPoint, but once you get out there it’s really special. I’m glad to be helping The Trustees, and I’m grateful to have an opportunity to share with people.”

Ultimately, the Coastal Volunteer Corps and CEV programs are designed to give Trustees volunteers a deeper experience, and a better understanding of the challenges faced by reservations up and down the coast— and the ability to share that knowledge with other volunteers and visitors.

“There will be tremendous opportunities for learning and education in stewardship of the coastlines of Massachusetts,” notes Bowers. “We hope volunteers will feel empowered to speak to the issues of global warming, sea level rise, and coastal change, to raise awareness and educate others.

This is hands-on work by a trained and empowered volunteer workforce on projects and initiatives that will truly make a difference.”

To learn more, or to get involved, visit thetrustees.org/volunteer

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ALL PHOTOS ©TRUSTEES

WINTER 2022

January | February | March

THINGS TO DO

Mary Cummings Park, Burlington

©JON SACHS WINTER 2021-22 11

WILDLIFE EXPLORERS HIKE

SATURDAY, FEB 19 | 1-3PM Doyle Community Park & Center, Leominster

WINTER TRACKING ON THE TRAILS MONDAY, FEB 21 | 1-3PM Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

SUNSET LADIES HIKE

SATURDAY, MAR 26 | 6-7:30PM Slocum’s River Reserve, Dartmouth

SIGNS OF SPRING WILD WALK SATURDAY, MAR 26 | 6:30-8:30PM Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough ©JON SACHS

ON THE TRAILS Get moving at one of our many hiking adventures across the state. Experience the wonder of Trustees properties in winter! Here is a sample of hikes you can join. Check out the full list at thetrustees.org/winterhikes.

TRUSTEES TREKKERS FAMILY HIKE

SATURDAYS, JAN 15, FEB 12, MARCH 1 | 4-5PM Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich

FULL MOON HIKES MONDAY, JAN 17 | 6-8PM Doyle Community Park & Center FRIDAY, MAR 18 | 7-9PM | Rocky W

SIGNS OF SPRING

SUNDAY, MAR 27 | 2-4PM Rocky Woods, Medfield

for the kiddos FAMILY FULL MOON HIKE IN THE DUNES SUNDAY & MONDAY, JAN 16 & 17 | 4-6PM The Crane Estate, Ipswich & Essex

WEE EXPLORERS

TUESDAYS, JAN 18-MAR 29 | 9:30-10:30AM Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover

SHIPWRECK SCHOLARS: FAMILY HIKE

SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 1-3PM TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 10AM-12NOON SATURDAY, MAR 26 | 1-3PM The Crane Estate, Ipswich & Essex

Many more outdoor adventures for all ages are being offered than we can fit on this page. For the full list, visit thetrustees.org/winterhikes.

MOONLIGHT HIKES

MONDAY & TUESDAY, JAN 17 & 18 | 4:30PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, FEB 15 & 16 | 5PM THURSDAY & FRIDAY, MAR 17 & 18 | 7PM World’s End, Hingham

THERAPEUTIC WELLNESS WALKS SATURDAY, JAN 22 | 2-4PM | Noon Hill, Medfield SUNDAY, MAR 13 | 3-5PM | Copicut Woods, Fall Riv SUNDAY, MAR 20 | 2-4PM | Noanet Woodlands, Dover

YOUNG EXPLORERS WINTER TRACKING SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 10:30AM-12NOON The Old Manse, Concord

LUNAR NEW YEAR WILD WALK SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 6:30-8:30PM Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough

©TRUSTEES

REGISTER TODAY! thetrustees.org/things-to-do Use your member code (above your name on your member card) to qualify for member discounts. NEW! If you need to find your member code, account information, or look up ticket and registration status for specific programs, visit thetrustees.org/customerservice.

Program details subject to change. For up-to-date event information, or to search for events in your area, at a specific property, by type or by date, click on Things To Do at thetrustees.org.

IN THE GARDEN Get your hands dirty while learning from Trustees experts about composting, grafting, design, and more! For our full array of garden workshops, visit thetrustees.org/gardening.

ON THE PROWL ©TRUSTEES

Gardening at Long Hill Long Hill, Beverly

ORGANIC GARDENING

SATURDAY, JAN 8 | 11AM-12NOON

BOTANY FOR GARDENERS

SATURDAY, JAN 15 | 11AM-12NOON

Let’s go owling! Learn which owls are found at night in our woods and those that visit our beaches in the winter. Visit thetrustees.org/owl for information.

SNOWY OWL PROWLS

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, THROUGH MAR 27 10AM-12:30PM | Crane Beach, Ipswich

OWL PROWLS SATURDAY, JAN 15 | 5-7PM Doyle Community Park & Center, Leominster

COMPOSTING FOR BEGINNERS

FRIDAY, FEB 4 | 6-8PM Rocky Woods, Medfield

GARDENING 101 WORKSHOP SERIES

SATURDAY, FEB 5 | 6-8PM Copicut Woods, Fall River

SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 11AM-12NOON

SATURDAYS, FEB 5-26 | 11AM-12NOON

WINTER PLANT ID WALK

SUNDAY, FEB 13 | 11AM-12:30PM

GRAFTING FRUIT TREES

SATURDAY, FEB 26 | 11AM-12NOON

WINTER PRUNING WORKSHOP SATURDAY, MAR 5 | 11AM-1PM

SEED STARTING

SATURDAY, MAR 12 | 11AM-12NOON

MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL SALVE

SATURDAY, FEB 12 | 1-2:30PM | City Natives, Mattapan

DESIGN YOUR OWN CUTTING GARDEN

SATURDAY, MAR 19 | 2-3:30PM Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover

FULL MOON OWL PROWL MONDAY, JAN 17; WEDNESDAY, FEB 16; FRIDAY, MAR 18 | 6-8PM | Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield FRIDAY, FEB 18 | 6-8PM FRIDAY, MAR 18 | 7:30-10PM Adult Night!

Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

ALL ABOUT OWLS WILD WALK SATURDAY, FEB 26 | 6:30-8:30PM Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough

for the kiddos YOUNG EXPLORERS OWL PROWL

FRIDAY, JAN 21 | 5-6:30PM | Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

FAMILY SNOWY OWL PROWLS

MONDAY-FRIDAY, FEB 21-25 | 10AM-12NOON Crane Beach, Ipswich

Highlights & Special Events A glimpse at just a few of the hundreds of things to do at our special places across the state this season.

Visit thetrustees.org/things-to-do to see all of our programs, get the latest updates, find more information and, for events that require them, get tickets. We hope to see you at one of our reservations soon!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

MONDAY, JAN 17 The Trustees honors its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by offering a series of volunteer and service events, including:

POST-WINTERLIGHTS WRAP-UP Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Canton

BUILDING BIRDHOUSES Long Hill, Beverly

MLK JR. WALK (SELF-GUIDED) Francis William Bird Park, Walpole

Visit thetrustees.org/mlkday for more events and full schedule. ©DAVID EDGECOMB

Winter Adventures at Notchview

Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and heaps of new programs for the whole family! We’ve got Winter Wildlife Tracking and Tree Identification treks, Winter Trails Day, a Valentine’s Day Special (2 for 1), plus monthly Full Moon Nordic Skiing events, a Friday Night Ski and Fire, and the Bread ‘n’ Jam Classic Ski Race.

Visit thetrustees.org/notchview for schedules and registration information.

Notchview, Windsor ©TRUSTEES

Celebrating Jeffrey Gibson’s INFINITE INDIGENOUS QUEER LOVE EXHIBITION TOUR WITH HALEY CLOUSER, CURATORIAL FELLOW THURSDAY, JAN 20 | 6-7PM

REMIX: FAMILY DANCE PARTY SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 5-6:30PM

IN CONVERSATION—JEFFREY GIBSON AND PHILIP J. DELORIA WEDNESDAY, FEB 23 | 6:30-8PM

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln ©KRISTA PHOTOGRAPHY

Castle Hill by Firelight

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, FEB 11-19 | 6-7:30PM & 8-9:30PM Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich ©ANANTHA KONDALRAJ

REGISTER TODAY! thetrustees.org/things-to-do Use your member code (above your name on your member card) to qualify for member discounts. NEW! If you need to find your member code, account information, or look up ticket and registration status for specific programs, visit thetrustees.org/customerservice.

Program details subject to change. For up-to-date event information, or to search for events in your area, at a specific property, by type or by date, click on Things To Do at thetrustees.org.

Farm Adventures for the Kids

Trustees farms are buzzing this winter with loads of activities for the kiddos, including Afternoon Adventures, Homeschool Scientists, Preschool Farm Explorers, Farmer for a Day, Barnyard Buddies, and Story Hours.

Appleton Farms, Ipswich Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough Weir River Farm, Hingham The FARM Institute, Edgartown Powisset Farm, Dover thetrustees.org/farmadventures ©MARK GARDNER

NEW! Boston Waterfront Programs

MARY ELLEN WELCH GREENWAY STROLL: WINTER FITNESS SERIES SATURDAYS, THROUGH JAN 29 | 12:30-1:30PM

WINTER WONDERLAND EXPLORATION: BELLE ISLE MARSH RESERVATION SUNDAYS, MAR 6-20 | 12:30-1:30PM

East Boston (location details provided upon registration) thetrustees.org/trusteesboston ©BOSTONPHOTOSPHERE VIA CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

NEW! Outdoor Adventures with Adventure East

Join Trustees new partner, outdoor exploration company Adventure East, as they lead expert guided hikes and tracking trips, at Mount Warner, Chapel Brook, Chesterfield Gorge, and Bryant Homestead. thetrustees.org/outdooradventures ©T. COOK

Theatre in the Great House

TOM STOPPARD’S ARCADIA IMAGES: FREEPIK

THURSDAY, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, MAR 11-12, 17-19 | 7PM SUNDAYS, MAR 13 & 20 | 6PM Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

thetrustees.org/arcadia

All things Maple

Get ready for some sugary sweetness as we tap our maple trees and fire up the sugar shack!

MAPLE TAP-A-THON

SATURDAY, FEB 26 | Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough

THE SUGAR SHACK AT APPLETON FARMS

WEEKENDS FROM FEB 19 THROUGH MARCH Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich Family Maple Syruping Workshops, Sugaring Presentations, Maple Strolls, Maple Breakfasts, and more! ©TRUSTEES

thetrustees.org/maplesugar

ON WINTER BREAK Bring the kiddos to cooking camp or farm camp, join an art class, enjoy a firepit picnic, or take in the crisp air on a hike. Here are just some of activities in store for kids and families during winter break. For the full list, visit thetrustees.org/febvacation.

ENCHANTED FOREST

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEB 19-27 (EXCEPT 2/22) 11AM-4PM | Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

FARM CAMP

MONDAY-FRIDAY, FEB 21-25 | 9AM-3PM MONDAY-FRIDAY, MAR 21-25 | 9AM-3PM Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich

©TRUSTEES

JUNIOR FARMER FOR A DAY

ARTFull FEBRUARY VACATION AT DECORDOVA

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, FEB 21-23 | 3-5PM Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough

FIRE PIT PICNICS AT APPLETON FARMS

MONDAY-THURSDAY, FEB 21-24 | 12NOON-2PM & 2-4PM Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich

CASTLE HILL FIRE PIT ADVENTURES

Vacation Class (Gr. K-2) | TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 9:30-11:30AM Vacation Class (Gr. 3-5) | TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 1-3PM Vacation Class (all ages) | WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, FEB 23-25 1-2PM | deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

CraneExplorer: SHIPWRECK SCHOLARS TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 10AM-12NOON Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

MONDAY-FRIDAY, FEB 21-25 | 1PM, 2PM, & 3PM Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

CREATIVE CLAY SCULPTURE FOR TEENS

VACATION WEEK FIRE PITS AT BRADLEY

TUESDAY-FRIDAY, FEB 22-25 | 12NOON-1:30PM, 1:30-3PM Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Canton

TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 10AM-12NOON deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

CLAY ON THE WHEEL FOR TEENS

TUESDAY, FEB 22 | 1-3PM deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE FOR TEENS

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, FEB 22 & 23 | 10AM-2PM World’s End, Hingham

CraneExplorer: BEACH DETECTIVES WEDNESDAY, FEB 23 | 10AM-12NOON Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

BIOMIMICRY-IN-ACTION TEEN WORKSHOP

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 & 25 | 10AM-2PM World’s End, Hingham ©TRUSTEES

KIDDOS IN THE KITCHEN

MONDAY-THURSDAY, FEB 21-24 | 9AM-12NOON Powisset Farm, Dover

CraneExplorer: STOP, LOOK, AND LOOK AGAIN! THURSDAY, FEB 24 | 10AM-12NOON Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich

REGISTER TODAY! thetrustees.org/things-to-do Use your member code (above your name on your member card) to qualify for member discounts. NEW! If you need to find your member code, account information, or look up ticket and registration status for specific programs, visit thetrustees.org/customerservice.

Program details subject to change. For up-to-date event information, or to search for events in your area, at a specific property, by type or by date, click on Things To Do at thetrustees.org.

FOR THE HEART Sweet things to do with your sweetie this Valentine’s Day! LOVELY LIBATIONS MIXOLOGY CLASS (ONLINE)

THURSDAY, FEB 10 | 6-7:30PM Boston Community Gardens, Boston

©TRUSTEES

VALENTINE’S DINNER IN THE FARM KITCHEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEB 11 & 12 | 6-8PM Powisset Farm, Dover

GALENTINE’S DAY FLORAL WORKSHOP

SUNDAY, FEB 13 | 1-3PM Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover

APPLETON FIRE PITS VALENTINE’S EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, FEB 12 & 13 | 12NOON-2PM, 2-4PM & 4-6PM | Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich

CLAY VALENTINE’S DAY CHIMES & CARDS WORKSHOP

GALENTINE’S DAY HIKE AND SIP SUNDAY, FEB 13 | 2-3:30PM Weir River Farm, Hingham

VALENTINE HIKE: WILD, WILDLIFE ROMANCE SUNDAY, FEB 13 | 2-4PM Rocky Woods, Medfield

SATURDAY, FEB 12 | 1-2:30PM deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

VALENTINE FIRE PIT DATE NIGHT

NOTCHVIEW VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL 2 FOR 1

DATE NIGHT HIKE

LOVE AT THE LIGHT SUNSET TOUR

MONDAY, FEB 14 | 8AM-5PM Notchview, Windsor

SATURDAY, FEB 12 | 4:30-6:30PM & 7-9PM Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

MONDAY, FEB 14 | 4:30-6PM Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Chappaquiddick Island

SATURDAY, FEB 12 | 7-9PM Doyle Community Park & Center, Leominster

SPRING IS HERE! Join us to celebrate the vernal equinox as we hear spring peepers and watch nature renew once again.

SPRING EQUINOX PIZZA CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, MAR 19 | 9:30AM, 11AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, 3:30PM & 5PM | Powisset Farm, Dover

VERNAL EQUINOX WALK

SUNDAY, MAR 20 | 10:30AM-12NOON | Long Hill, Beverly

VERNAL EQUINOX LANTERN TOUR

SUNDAY, MAR 20 | 7-8PM deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

SPRING SOLSTICE MEDITATION WALK ©TRUSTEES

SUNDAY, MAR 27 | 11AM-12NOON Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield

©TRUSTEES

FOR THE LOVE OF ART

Explore your creative side! Try an art-making workshop in clay, book making, drawing, watercolors, calligraphy, and more. Take in an exhibition at one of our two premier museums. Or do it all!

Art-Making Workshops BOOK MAKING WORKSHOP WITH EMILY BELZ

WEDNESDAY, JAN 12 | 10AM-12:30PM deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

ARTFull PLAY

THURSDAY, JAN 19; WEDNESDAYS, FEB 16 & MAR 16 | 10:30-11:30AM deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS WORKSHOP

TUESDAYS, JAN 25, FEB 22, MAR 29 | 6-7:30PM Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover

NATURE JOURNALING WITH NANCI WORTHINGTON

SATURDAYS, JAN 29, FEB 26, MAR 26 | 1-3PM Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield

CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP WITH RAYNA LO

Time outside is fundamental to a life well lived.

Visit your local co-op today

BOSTON | CAMBRIDGE | FRAMINGHAM | HINGHAM | READING

SATURDAY, JAN 29 | 1-3PM Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover

Exhibitions On View JEFFREY GIBSON: INFINITE INDIGENOUS QUEER LOVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION: ABSTRACTION

THROUGH SUNDAY, MAR 13 deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

UNSEEN HOURS: SPACE CLEARING FOR SPIRIT WORK MARKING DAY’S PASSAGE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COLLECTION THROUGH SUNDAY, MAR 13 Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

PROGRAM REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS: In the event that a program is cancelled due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify you as soon as possible by email and issue you a full refund within 14 days of the cancellation.

If you cannot attend a program as planned, contact the Trustees property 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds will not be granted for registration cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program. There are no refunds for missed classes. The Trustees reserves the right to change program locations, schedules, or instructors when necessary. Note: Summer Camps and our inns and campgrounds each have separate cancellation policies.

Spring Meat Shares Now Available 100% grass-fed beef & lamb Pastured pork & chicken 3 pickups: March, April, May thetrustees.org/meatshares

Inhale.

Enjoy.

Repeat! ©STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Fresh Air Here Trustees reservations are remarkable places in winter. Bundle up and take in your fill of crisp, fresh air as you experience the wonders of the season all over the state. Whether you’re looking for a solo escape or a family outing, there’s no better place that one of our 120+ special places! And come in from the cold for one of our scores of cooking, gardening, or art-making classes and workshops at properties from the North

Shore to Martha’s Vineyard, for adults, kids, or the whole family.

Programs are highlighted here and in our Things-To-Do calendar on the following pages, but there are far more than we can list in these pages, so please be sure to check our website at thetrustees.org/things-to-do to see everything we have to offer, as well as for schedule details, registration, and advance ticket sales. Pre-registration or ticket ©RYAN PENNESI

purchases are required for Trustees programs and events. Please check our website for the latest information on Covid safety protocols.

Hit the Trail There are so many ways to explore Trustees reservations in winter—on snowshoes, cross-country skis, or good old hiking boots and shoes. And there are so many reasons to get out on our trails, too. Try joining one of our many guided explorations to see our special places at new times of day, with new friends, or for new sights through the eyes of experts. We’ve got moonlight hikes, wellness walks, women-only outings, as well as wildlife tracking and owl prowls on trails across the state. New this winter are a slew of group explorations in the Pioneer Valley with our partners Adventure East. And on the North Shore, CraneOutdoors offers dozens of outings full of family fun, from Sensational Seaweed and Shipwreck Scholars, to Dunes by the Light of the Full Moon, and more.

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By the Fire On winter weekends, holidays, and school vacation week, what could be better than a warming fire pit out in the brisk fresh air at a Trustees reservation? Bring the family, meet up with friends, snuggle with a Valentine… we’ve added more fire pits at more locations than ever before. Check the schedule and reserve your fire pit soon at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Appleton Farms in Hamilton & Ipswich, Long Hill in Beverly, Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Chestnut Hill Farm, in Southborough, or the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton.

And for a quiet celebration of spring, try Fireside Equinox Meditation at The Old Manse in Concord.

Cook Up a Storm Enjoy the warmth of a farm kitchen this winter with adult and kids cooking classes through our Powisset Cooks program at Powisset Farm in Dover. Chef Thi Bowles leads creative and delicious cooking demonstrations, providing hands-on experiences, tastings, and tips. The delicious offerings this season include Korean and Thai food, dumplings, pho, stir fry, and more. There’s even an Homage to Julia Child (March 3) and St. Patrick’s Day Favorites (March 17). And don’t forget the kids— Kiddos in the Kitchen is an always-popular series where your youngsters can learn to make and decorate mini cakes, winter warmers, and even wicked whoopie pies!

Try one of our classes and we bet you’ll be back soon for seconds!

Appleton Farms in Hamilton & Ipswich has monthly Farmhouse Culinary Workshops to whet your winter appetite, with subjects ranging from meat pies and winter harvest soups to sourdough baking. On Martha’s Vineyard, be sure to sample a workshop at The FARM Institute in Edgartown. Among the many classes for adults, learn Sausage Making with Chef Charles Grandquist, try making kimchi or apple cider vinegar in Fermentation 101, or join the Pasta Club with Katie Leaird. Get the family involved, too, with our wonderful Kids Can Cook! monthly Saturday series and camp sessions, and a Teens Can Cook Afterschool Program with Jenny Devivo, Thursdays in January and February.

Lend a Hand This year, the Trustees honors its commitment to diversity and inclusion and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by offering Day of Service volunteer events

and activities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 17. Ranging from clean-up activities and building crafts, to familyfriendly contemplative walks and campfire story hours with diverse children’s books, The Trustees hopes you will join us in taking a day on instead of a day off this holiday.

For the full list of service events and activities, visit thetrustees.org/mlkday.

There’s so much to see and do in winter at Trustees reservations. Follow our prescription—check out the schedule at thetrustees.org/things-to-do, then: Inhale. Enjoy. Repeat!

ALL PHOTOS ©TRUSTEES

7 TOWNS 9 CAMPS ONE EPIC SUMMER Whether your kids prefer farms or fields, woods or waves, art-making or culinary creation, an amazing summer awaits!

Nine different Trustees camps at some of our most inspiring places, for ages 4-17. Registration for Members opens Thursday, January 13.

• Appleton Farms, Hamilton & Ipswich • Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough • Crane Estate, Ipswich • deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln • The FARM Institute, Edgartown • Powisset Farm, Dover • Rocky Woods, Medfield • Weir River Farm, Hingham • World’s End, Hingham

thetrustees.org/camps

WINTER 2021-22

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FROM TRUSTEES KITCHENS

Super Bowls

by Victoria Abbott Riccardi

Homemade soups are the perfect winter warmers CHICKEN PHO (PHO GA) In the coldest months, hot soup provides belly-warming sustenance in a bowl. But forget the cans on the supermarket shelf: making a hearty homemade soup from scratch is easy, and once the ingredients enter the pot, cooking them requires little more than an occasional stir. To inspire you at the stove, we asked two Trustees chefs to share some of their favorite winter soup tips and recipes. (For full recipes, visit thetrustees.org/winterwarmers.)

Long before becoming Chef and Cooking Instructor at Powisset Farm in Dover, Thi Bowles had a fondness for pho, a Vietnamese staple made from broth, meat, and rice noodles. “Pho is the first recipe that I made with my mother,” says Bowles, who is Vietnamese, and who demonstrates the finer points of pho in cooking classes at the farm. “It’s a comfort food for a lot of Vietnamese people because it’s something you find on every street corner.”

Chef Tom Bush in the kitchen with the Appleton Farms culinary team.

Chicken Pho Ga

To make her pho Bowles traditionally uses beef, though she often substitutes bone-in chicken thighs to save time. She parboils the chicken to clarify the broth, the hallmark of a well-made pho. “The broth is king, but a lot of the flavor is going to come from the spices,” says Bowles, like fresh ginger picked right there at Powisset Farm. Rice noodles and the chicken add heft, while condiments and accompaniments add texture, flavor, and depth. “I like a lot of spice and acidity, so I always add extra lime and sriracha. Some people like it sweeter, so they’ll add hoisin. That’s the fun thing about pho: you’re able to personalize it to your taste.”

CURRIED CARROT APPLE SOUP (VEGAN) At Appleton Farms in Hamilton & Ipswich, Chef Tom Bush makes most of the vegan and vegetarian fare for a simple reason: he doesn’t eat meat, but he knows how to give plantbased recipes a meaty richness. “I ate meat my entire life until around two years ago when I met my current partner, who is vegetarian,” says Bush, whose lengthy culinary résumé included five years as a professional baker working alongside Jess Wagoner, Culinary Program and Food Service Manager at Appleton Farms. “I miss chicken and things like that, but there are ways you can still get great flavors and still be satisfied.”

For soups, Bush’s first flavor-boosting tip is roasting vegetables. “The onions, apples, and carrots will get some char on them, and you’ll also be getting some browned bits,” which adds umami, he says. “Then you add

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THE TRUSTEES

ALL PHOTOS ©TRUSTEES

BEYOND SOUP: COOKING WITH THE TRUSTEES

Chef Thi Bowles demonstrates stir fry cooking in the Powisset Farm kitchen.

the roasted veggies to the pot with your liquid mix, bring the soup to a simmer, and blend it.”

To jazz up bland recipes, add in elements with complex flavors, like miso, tamari, or even ketchup. Swapping out animal products is easy: as a substitute for cream, Bush uses unsweetened coconut milk; instead of butter, he cooks with coconut oil or olive oil. And while Bush avoids using nuts at the farm, Curried Carrot Apple Soup

he says a final swirl of nut butter can give a plant-based soup incredible richness and body.

Find the full recipes here: thetrustees.org/ winterwarmers Victoria Abbott Riccardi is a freelance travel, culture, and food writer, and author of Untangling My Chopsticks: A Culinary Sojourn in Japan (Broadway) from Newton.

Strap on an apron and join fellow foodies for hands-on cooking classes and workshops at Appleton Farms, Powisset Farm, and The FARM Institute on Martha’s Vineyard. Using wholesome ingredients—many locally sourced—attendees learn to make seasonal, regional, and international dishes under the guidance of professional chefs and cooking experts. Dozens of options are available at these reservations, and also at Boston Community Gardens and Weir River Farm in Hingham. There are loads of programs for kids, too—like our Kiddos in the Kitchen Series at Powisset Farm and Kids Can Cook! at The FARM Institute. All classes are limited in size and require pre-registration.

Visit: thetrustees.org/trusteescooks

See all cooking classes and workshops here:

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VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Growing a

Garden Community ©TRUSTEES

©ABOVE SUMMIT

Renee Burgess fosters an abundance of fresh veggies and neighborhood pride. i

e Trustees’ ranks of volunteers pecial, incredibly dedicated subset: en coordinators for each of our 56 community gardens in eight Boston neighborhoods. These individuals are not only volunteers themselves, they also coordinate many other volunteers to ensure these vital, verdant oases continue to thrive.

Renee Burgess has been the volunteer coordinator of the Greenwood Community Garden in Dorchester for only the last two seasons—but even in such a short time, her efforts and commitment have turned this small neighborhood green space around.

Gardened for more than 40 years, Greenwood was in need of some love and special care, after its longtime coordinator developed some health issues. Renee had become familiar with The Trustees through her work at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts—the organization maintains a garden for employees at the company’s Quincy headquarters, and she had learned a lot about gardening while there.

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THE TRUSTEES

Seeing her local neighborhood garden in trouble, she signed up for several classes offered by the Trustees’ Boston Community Gardens team and then asked how she could help on Greenwood Street. “Renee has done an amazing job engaging diverse community

members in the garden,” says Michelle de Lima, Engagement Manager for the Boston Community Gardens.

“She talked with neighbors, hung flyers, and became an incredible advocate for the garden.”

Renee’s efforts have drawn considerable neighborhood interest. As Greenwood is small, with just twelve plots, there are already five more potential gardeners on the waiting list— and that’s just by her second season. She has an abundance of energy and ideas, and a vision for how the garden can grow to be an even more important part of the community. “I’m most proud about the transformation of this garden into a beautiful space that people can enjoy,” says Renee. “I love to see the smiles on neighbors’ faces when they see a beautiful flower or when they can take a piece of fruit or a vegetable home with them from our ‘Abundance Basket.’”

For her dedication to improving her neighborhood by bringing gardeners together and making Greenwood Community Garden a vital place once more, The Trustees is pleased to name Renee Burgess as its 2021 Volunteer of the Year.

©ABOVE SUMMIT

Lace up and

HEAD OUT The New Year is here, and with it comes a timeless resolution: prioritizing physical and mental health. Throughout the months of pandemic living, Trustees Members and visitors have reported that having access to our natural spaces and spending time outdoors has provided a respite from stress and anxiety. Research showing the benefits of time spent outside in nature only grows more extensive.

To help more folks discover the wonders of our reservations and incorporate physical exercise into their regular routines, the popular Hike Trustees challenge is back for 2022, updated and better than ever. Starting up again on New Year’s Day, Hike Trustees is still free to join and still self-guided, with new challenges, prizes, and curated suggestions available to help people of all ages, abilities, and skill levels get motivated to get outside.

With over 120 different places to explore, Trustees offers a wide range of experiences, from wooded trails to sandy beaches. As a starting point, the Hike Trustees website features trail lists for beginners, information on local wildlife to look for, places to hike with dogs, and seasonal suggestions—including some of the most beautiful vistas and views.

Understanding that sometimes having a guide can be key to overcoming uncertainty,

HIKE TRUSTEES

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM HOYT

a series of guided hikes are now offered at several “undiscovered gems,” such as Slocum’s River Reserve in Dartmouth and Copicut Woods in Fall River.

Launched early in 2021, the Trustees Hikers Facebook group has blossomed into a vibrant community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts who are quick to answer questions, give advice on getting out onto Trustees trails, and even meet up for spontaneous outings.

“It’s not just about stepping onto a property

so you can log it,” says Pat McDougal, one of the hikers in the challenge and a regular in the Facebook group. “It’s taking the time to discover each property’s history, uniqueness, and beauty.” The pictures shared

by Trustees Hikers in the group have become a bonus, acting as real-life references and encouragement for other hikers.

Get inspired, get motivated, sign up at thetrustees.org/hiketrustees—then lace up, and get started! Are you up to the challenge?

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE ANN GALE

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Swift River Reservation ©TRUSTEES

Mountain Meadow Preserve Royalston Falls

Monument Mountain

Jacobs Hill Jewell Hill Doane’s Falls

Field Farm

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBORAH ALM

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA CURRAN CHAPMAN

Chapel Brook

Bryant Homestead Chesterfield Gorge Glendale Falls Naumkeag The Mission House Monument Mountain

Goose Pond Reservation

Mount Petticoat Warner Hill

McLennan Reservation

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THE TRUSTEES

Rock House Reservation

Worcester

Quinebaug Woods Peaked Mountain

Powisset Farm

Our Trustees Hikers Facebook group is full of people from all across Massachusetts who, like you, want to learn more about Trustees reservations and then get out and explore as many or as often as possible. They have been

Swift River Reservation

Quabbin Reservoir

Springfield

Questing

Bartholomew’s Cobble

You Belong Here

North Common Meadow

Doyle Community Park & Center Redemption Rock

Land of Providence

Ashintully Gardens

©TRUSTEES

Elliott Laurel

Dinosaur Footprints

Dry Hill Ashley House

Bear’s Den

Little Tom Mountain

Becket Quarry Tyringham Cobble

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Tyringham Cobble

ec ti cu

Bullitt Reservation

t Ri v e r

Bear Swamp Notchview

Tantiusques

Berkshires

RESERVATIONS IN THE CHARLES RIVER VALLEY

Pioneer Valley

Bridge Island Meadows, Millis Cedariver, Millis

Central MA

Charles River Peninsula, Needham Chase Woodlands, Dover Fork Factory Brook, Medfield Medfield Meadow Lots, Medfield

Metro West Northeast Metro Boston South of Boston Cape Cod and Islands JAN 2022

sharing their experiences and photos, letting other hikers know what to expect when they visit our properties, setting up hike meet-ups, and seeing how many properties they can visit and check-off the map.

Medfield Rhododendrons, Medfield Noanet Woodlands, Dover Noon Hill, Medfield Pegan Hill, Dover and Natick Peters Reservation, Dover Powisset Farm, Dover Rocky Narrows, Sherborn Rocky Woods, Medfield Shattuck Reservation, Medfield

So, it was an easy ask this past fall when Trustees admins posted a request to pose with “You Belong Here” signs to help welcome newcomers to our special places. Here are just a few, from every corner of the state!

The Old Manse PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT MCDOUGAL

Farandnear Fruitlands Museum Dexter Drumlin

R. ack

Me

©TRUSTEES

rr i m

Doyle Community Park & Center

Appleton Farms & Weir Hill Grass Rides Stevens-Coolidge Pine & House & Gardens Hemlock Charles W. Knoll Ward Reservation Moraine Long Hill Farm Malcolm Preserve

Coolidge Reservation Agassiz Rock Misery Islands Crowninshield Island Gerry Island

The Old Manse Mary Cummings Park deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Chestnut Hill Farm

Ch a r l e s

Massachusetts Bay Boston Community Gardens & Parks City Natives

R.

Boston Gov. Hutchinson’s Field & Pierce Reservation

Cormier Woods

Old Town Hill Greenwood Farm Hamlin Reservation Stavros Reservation The Crane Estate (Castle Hill, Crane Beach & Crane Wildlife Refuge) Halibut Point Reservation Mount Ann Park Ravenswood Park

Francis William Bird Park

World’s End Weir River Farm

Bradley Estate Signal Hill Archives & Research Center Moose Hill Farm

Whitney & Thayer Woods Norris Reservation Two Mile Farm

Gov. Ames Estate

Dunes’ Edge Campground

Holmes Reservation

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY HOLMES

Cape Cod Bay

Copicut Woods

ay

Cornell Farm Slocum’s River Reserve

sB

Westport Town Farm

za rd

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY HOLMES

Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens

Bu z

Moose Hill Farm

Lyman East Over Reserve Reservation and Hales Brook & Sippican River Tract

Lowell Holly

Mashpee River Reservation

Armstrong-Kelley Park

Nantucket Sound Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge

The Brickyard Menemsha Hills

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge

Mytoi Wasque

Long Point Wildlife Norton Point Refuge Beach The FARM Institute

Slocum’s River Reserve ©TRUSTEES

Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge ©TRUSTEES

WINTER 2021-22

27

ICYMI #THETRUSTEES

You tag us. We “To walk in a winter morning in a wood where these birds abounded, their native woods, and hear the wild cockerels crow on the trees, clear and shrill for miles over the resounding earth, drowning the feebler notes of other birds—think of it!”

—Henry David Thoreau, Walden

find magic in the moment

28

THE TRUSTEES

you!

One Membership.

Thousands of Places.

Endless Opportunities.

Trustees Members at the $125 Contributing level and above enjoy reciprocal admission at thousands of participating institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museum network.

For a list of participating institutions please visit narmassociation.org/members or call 978.921.1944 (Option 6).

Jocelyn Forbush Acting President & CEO Paul Leech Chief, Finance & Administration Matthew Montgomery Chief, Marketing & Audience Development Christine Morin Chief, Places & Engagement Edward Wilson Chief, Development & Strategic Partnerships

EDITORIAL

Wayne Wilkins Director, Brand & Content Editor Jeff Harder Contributing Editor Chris Costello Senior Graphic Designer Gina Janovitz Graphic Designer Lizzie Lane Graphic Designer

We invite your input, letters, and suggestions.

Please send them to: Special Places | The Trustees 200 High Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02110 tel 978.921.1944 email marketing@thetrustees.org For information about becoming a Member please contact us at 978.921.1944, email us at membership@thetrustees.org, or visit our website at www.thetrustees.org.

NEW! If you need to find your Member code, account information, or look up ticket and registration status for specific programs, visit thetrustees.org/customerservice.

Special Places, Winter 2021-22.

Volume 29, Issue Number 4. Special Places (ISSN 1087-5026) is published quarterly and distributed to members and donors of The Trustees of Reservations.

Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.

Printed by Universal Wilde, an environmentally responsible printer in Massachusetts that strives to minimize waste, maximize recycling, and exceed environmental standards.

©L. JAMES

The Trustees is Massachusetts’ largest, and the nation’s first, conservation and preservation nonprofit. We are supported by members, friends, and donors. Explore 123 amazing places across Massachusetts, from beaches, farms and woodlands, to historic homes, museums, urban gardens, and more.

Planned gifts have allowed The Trustees to advance its mission for more than 100 years. You can be part of that legacy and help ensure our work continues far into the future.

The Trustees provides various resources, including our planned giving website thetrustees.org/svs, to help you explore legacy gift options and determine which ones work best with your financial and philanthropic goals. Now, Members also have access to create their own legal will, free of charge, through our partnership with FreeWill.

Visit freewill.com/thetrustees and consider planning a gift to The Trustees to ensure that our special places continue to be enjoyed by many for generations to come.

Contact Julie Lazarus, at 978.338.1172 or mylegacy@thetrustees.org with questions or to learn more. If you have already named us in your estate plans, please let us know so we can honor your generosity through The Semper Virens Society.

#thetrustees | A big Thank You to our Instagram followers who posted these winter photos, including (clockwise from top center): @kwfreeborndesign (Dexter Drumlin), @johnvburns (Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens), @kpendleton (Appleton Farms), @robert_william_photography (Doyle Community Park & Center), @minutevacations (Coolidge Reservation), @colecastophotography (Chapel Brook), @natures.pace.adventures (Weir Hill), @abbylovi (Ward Reservation). To have your photo considered for our gallery, simply hashtag ‘thetrustees’ and the name of the reservation when you post. Keep ‘em coming!

WINTER 2021-22

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THE TRUSTEES

200 High Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02110-3044

WHERE WONDER HAPPENS Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich @newenglandnaturepic

thetrustees.org