East Quabbin Land Trust (EQLT)

06/01/2026

Last Friday night we shared a meal together and learned from Maureen Manning about what inspires her art. She does a variety of things, including photo transfers onto birch bark and fine cut prints of plants and birds. Maureen enjoyed her two weeks as our inaugural artist-in-residence for 2026, she regularly explored Mandell Hill, visited Patrill Hollow Preserve and Wendemuth Meadow, along with listening to the birds right outside the window. Lots to be inspired by. We are grateful to her for sharing her artistic insights and wish her all the best!

06/01/2026

Explore Royalston's waterfalls with the EQLT Outsiders on Saturday!

05/29/2026

Please join the East Quabbin Land Trust in celebrating the summer solstice!

There will be a walk, a group viewing of the sunset, and a moth data collection event. Come for one of or all of the events!

The Crepuscular and Nocturnal Animal themed educational walk will be led by Ellie Shea the TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator. This walk is intended for learners of all ages. We will depart at 7 pm from the Mandell Hill preserve parking area, taking the Blue Loop trail. This walk is 1 ½ miles. Please dress for the weather an wear appropriate walking shoes.

After the hike, we encourage all to stay to watch the sunset. Please bring what will make you comfortable, for example a lawn chair, a blanket, and layers. 

Michael Bellefleur the TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator will be leading the moth data collection event. This will involve identifying moth species. We encourage anyone attending to download iNaturalist beforehand, but it is not necessary for event participation. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, preferably one with a red light setting. This even starts once it gets dark, and will be near the Parking area at Mandell Hill! Look for the lights.

05/28/2026

With spring well on its way and summer approaching, the window for spring ephemeral inventory is closing.

We were able to beat the heat and identify over 20 different species at our Henry’s Grove, Pynchon’s Grist Mill & Deer Park preserves! From the more abundant azure bluets and northern starflower to the less abundant painted trillium and fringed polygala, there is plenty to find at all of our preserves in the spring, and other seasons!

05/21/2026

Both talks are hosted at 120 Ridge Road, Hardwick. Come meet the first two of eight artists spending part of their summer exploring the natural spaces of the region and creating inspired art pieces.

05/21/2026

Are you a local history buff? Maybe the first gristmill for the Quaboag Plantation (what we call Pynchon's Grist Mill Preserve, off Wickaboag Valley Road) will be in the discussion.

05/20/2026

Help us record these fleeting wildflowers before it is too late! Join Michael to inventory spring ephemerals found on our Deer Park Preserve. Important early season flowers for pollinators are identified and recorded as part of our preserve species list.

05/19/2026

Attention all winter sowers!! I am sure we are all feeling this heat wave… so are our seedlings! Now is the time to pop open your winter sowing jugs. This prevents the seedlings from getting too hot from being enclosed.

Opening jugs does require more water management and pest control. Place the jugs in a protected spot & some wire mesh could be your best friend for the pests.

05/18/2026

Amazing birding and ephemerals walk today at Henry's Grove in Hubbardston! We were able to observe over 50(!) different bird species (including a loon!) and more than two dozen different plants, including spring ephemerals. It was a lot of fun, in large part because of our excellent birding and ephemerals guides -- Stephen, Fran, Jack, Mike and Michael. Thank you all for sharing your enthusiasm and expertise! Can't wait to do it again!

05/13/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonathan-cina_most-people-think-building-a-food-forest-share-7456615291108802560-uPdR?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAATAkXIBrkh0mvugvkcKstL9VfLjnOY9LNU&utm_campaign=copy_link

Most people think building a food forest is overwhelming. And honestly, if you try to design the whole thing at once, it is. But there’s a concept that changes everything: the guild. A guild is a group of 5–8 plants arranged around a central anchor species — usually a fruit or nut tree — whe...