Opacum Land Trust

09/02/2026

Opacum Land Trust member and book club facilitator, Timothy Loftus, had his work published in the most recent issue of Yankee Magazine. Congratulations, Tim!

Deep in a Massachusetts forest, a story of time and fragility unfolds.

09/02/2026

Do you know a deserving young conservation that either lives or goes to school in Sturbridge? Nominate them for the Young Conservationist Award, sponsored by the Sturbridge Conservation Commission!

WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS!

As Sturbridge students head back to school, the Conservation Commission is excited to kick off applications for the 2026 Young Conservationist of the Year Award!

We know there are young people in our community already making a difference; protecting wildlife, caring for our forests and waterways, volunteering, educating others, or finding their own ways to help our environment. We want to recognize them!

The award is open to high school juniors and seniors residing in or attending school in Sturbridge. Students may apply themselves, or someone else can nominate a deserving young conservationist.

📅 Application Deadline: December 10, 2026

Know a student who deserves some recognition? Tag them, share this with their family, or send it to a teacher who might know the perfect candidate!

Applications and additional information are available through the Sturbridge Conservation Department or thought our website:
https://www.sturbridge.gov/conservation-commission/pages/young-conservationist-year

Help us celebrate the next generation of conservationists!

09/01/2026

We are sad to hear of the passing of the great poet, essayist, novelist, environmental advocate, and farmer philosopher Wendell Berry.

Coincidentally, this month's book club book is The World-Ending Fire, The Essential Wendell Berry, a collection of essays written in defiance of the false call to progress and in defense of local landscapes.

Learn more about our book club, which meets on Thursday, 9/15 from 6 - 7:30 PM - and don't forget to RSVP to let us know you'll be joining us: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GTqhAkevE/

Learn more about Berry's extraordinary life here:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2026/09/01/wendell-berry-dead-poems-books-peace-of-wild-things/91559736007/

08/28/2026

The weather is looking perfect for the volunteer trail workday at Stevens Brook hosted by the Holland Trails Committee!

08/24/2026

Have you seen spotted lantern fly in your area? There are documented infestations in portions of the Opacum Land Trust service area but still none in Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Holland, North Brookfield, Southbridge, or Sturbridge.

If spotted, you can report the sighting here: https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx

08/14/2026

Thank you to our most recent Robert F. and Jeanne R. Para Family Preserve sponsors!

Conservation Partners:
Noelle Merle, Hometown National Realty
The Pontbriand Family - From the Garden

Conservation Friends:
Jill Demers - In Loving memory of Richard R. Lamoureux
Our Corner Booth

08/12/2026

Don't forget to lay in the grass and look up tonight! The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks overnight, with between 50 and 100 meteors per hour.

Tonight, August 12 into August 13, Earth is heading into the peak of the Perseid meteor shower—and 2026 offers unusually favorable viewing conditions because the maximum arrives around a New Moon, leaving the sky largely free of moonlight.

The streaks we call Perseids begin as tiny pieces of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. As Earth moves through this trail, the particles slam into our atmosphere at tremendous speed, heating the surrounding air and producing brilliant flashes that can leave glowing wakes across the sky. Under ideal dark conditions, the Perseids can produce roughly 50–100 meteors per hour near maximum.

And despite how spectacular they look, most never come anywhere close to the ground—the light show happens high in Earth’s atmosphere.

Tonight, our planet isn’t simply watching a meteor shower. It is moving directly through the debris trail that creates it. ☄️

08/11/2026

August is National Make-A-Will Month!

Did you know that more than half of Americans have not made any plans for their future? If you are one of them, this is your reminder to make one today!

Creating a will is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people and the causes you love. Your will can:

- Protect the people that you love
- Create a legacy that reflects your values
- Give you peace of mind for the future

And if you choose, it's also a chance to leave a lasting gift for Opacum Land Trust — one that will protect land, water, and wildlife for generations to come.

Looking for more information about how to name Opacum in your estate plans? Email us at [email protected].

08/07/2026

Thank you SO MUCH to our newest Para Family Preserve sponsors!
Conservation Leader sponsor, Cormier Jewelers & Art Gallery, Spencer MA

Conservation Friend sponsor: SourceOne Property Maintenance LLC

If you'd like to see your name on the kiosk at this beautiful property next to these businesses, we'd love to have your support!

Become a sponsor now by following this link:
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/any2kDh7EAGO_9Z8K1itdA