The all-volunteer Marblehead Conservancy nonprofit is celebrating 25 years of restoration and enhancements to five miles of trails and approximately 175 acres of open spaces in Marblehead.
The Conservancy invites residents to celebrate the anniversary by visiting all eight open spaces this year. Scan the QR code to download trail maps.
Visitors will find woodlands, wildflower meadows, wetlands, beautiful vistas and animals such as migratory birds, horseshoe crabs in Steer Swamp, snapping turtles in Hawthorn Pond or an occasional fox.
Kids love the boardwalks, ducks and turtles at many ponds. In winter when Ware Pond is sufficiently frozen, don ice skates for a fun afternoon.
Founded in 2001, the mission of the Marblehead Conservancy is to protect, acquire and enhance Marblehead’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. In keeping with its mission, the Conservancy’s early efforts focused on two primary areas: the restoration of access to and through public natural open spaces and working to secure additional open space through land acquisition and conservation restrictions on private property.
The Conservancy works in tandem with various town departments to maintain and enhance public natural areas such as the trails, ponds, wetlands and forested areas of the town.
Don Morgan, treasurer and secretary, said, “One of the many things that makes Marblehead special to me is the deep network of volunteer-sponsored activities that make life interesting. The Festival of the Arts, Jazz in the Garden, the Historical Society and its museums, Friends of the Council on Aging, sailboat races on both the ocean and Redd’s Pond, Sustainable Marblehead, Gerry 5 and Oko VFA fire musters, the massive Halloween creations on Pleasant Street, the Farmers’ Market. I could go on and on.”
He added: “The Marblehead Conservancy is one thread in that fabric. We have been maintaining five miles of trails through Marblehead forests and meadows and have removed thousands of invasive plants and weeds, replacing them with native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. The result is places to walk, hike and get inspired by the wonders of nature, right here in our own backyard.”
The Conservancy is built from volunteers who believe that open space is essential to Marblehead’s quality of life. If you would like to volunteer, email info@marbleheadconservancy.org
