Upper Charles Conservation Land Trust

08/18/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

Mushroom Walk and Talk with Jonathan Kranz
Sunday, September 27th
1pm
Wenakeening Woods in Holliston

Mushroom enthusiast, former Boston park ranger, and current Vice President of the Boston Mycological Club, Jonathan Kranz will be leading a mushroom walk and talk through our Wenakeening Woods property in Holliston.

Jonathan will discuss all things mushroom: what they are, how they live, why they’re fascinating. His talk will cover the basics of fungal life with insights on foraging for food and avoiding toxics, with special emphasis on common mushrooms participants are likely to find in their area of New England.

Additional information about this event will be sent out in early September.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

08/03/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, September 13th
1pm
Hoag Woods, Medway

Please join the UCCLT board members and friends for a walk through our newest property, HOAG WOODS in Medway.

Hoag Woods is a 15.5 acre nature area with 0.8 miles of mostly flat trails that are perfect for hiking and cross-country skiing. The land was donated to UCCLT by Dave and Grace Hoag in 2025 to ensure that the place they loved stayed undeveloped and available for the public to enjoy as they did. The area is considered a relatively easy hike or walk for families with young children.

Additional information about this event will be sent out later in August. For more information, please contact [email protected]

*Photo is of Grace Pond's on the Hoag property

12/13/2025

We've been hard at work this past year - I've attached a brief update that includes some of our recent highlights. You can see how your generosity is directly making a difference for our local environment.

We know how valuable our local trails and natural resources are, and your contribution allows us to continue serving as stewards of notable properties throughout our watershed.

Please consider making a gift this season by using our secure PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Z52AGSPNR738U

Thank you so much for your consideration. Your continued support is what makes our work possible.

Best wishes this holiday season

04/28/2025

Event Reminder!

Saturday, May 3rd from 12n-2pm at Wenakeening Woods in Holliston.

Join UCCLT and naturalist Russ Cohen on Saturday, May 3rd for a Walk & Talk about foraging for wild edibles at Wenakeening Woods.

Meet us at noon at the Mission Springs entrance. Parking is available. Free signed copies of Russ' book, 'Wild Plants I Have Known...And Eaten' will be available to the first 10 people who have signed up for the event. Additional copies will be available for purchase after the event.

None

04/02/2025

Reminder - this Saturday, April 5th, from 10-11am at the Morse Institute Library in Natick - LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER - The Charles River Then & Now.
Admission is free, and you can reserve your spot at tinyurl.com/upper-charles

03/03/2025

FREE EVENT - Saturday, April 5th - Natick

Emily Norton presents "Love That Dirty Water - The Charles River Then & Now"

Saturday, April 5th
10am
Leibowitz Meeting Room at the Morse Institute Library
14 E Central Street, Natick

Please join UCCLT and Emily Norton, executive director of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) on Saturday, April 5th for "Love That Dirty Water - The Charles River Then & Now", a presentation on the river's past, present, and future.

CRWA has been a leading voice for a cleaner, healthier Charles River, developing science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity while confronting a changing climate. An in-demand speaker on local climate initiatives, Ms Norton will present her talk "Love That Dirty Water - The Charles River Then & Now".

Emily has served as Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association since 2018. At CRWA she directs a staff of scientists and advocates focused on protecting and preserving the Charles River and its watershed communities which are under increased threat in an era of climate change. She previously served as Massachusetts Chapter Director for the Sierra Club, where she led a team advocating for stronger renewable energy policies at the state and local level, and trained hundreds of volunteers to be effective clean energy advocates. Prior to that she spent ten years as a research and communications consultant to groups such as Conservation Law Foundation, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Environmental Defense Fund and US EPA ENERGY STAR. Emily also spent several years in politics as a fundraiser for the Democratic Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. and as Finance Director for a Congressional campaign on Cape Cod.

12/03/2024

2024 Annual Update

Our watershed continues to face relentless development pressure that threatens the irreplaceable natural resources and recreational opportunities provided by open space. The mission of Upper Charles is to permanently preserve these rapidly disappearing natural landscapes, and we continue to pursue numerous projects across our watershed focused on this effort.

We continue to pursue numerous projects across our watershed focused on this effort, including:

Land Protection
Recreational Trails
Public awareness and education
Land Stewardship

Our organization is funded by the generosity of concerned citizens in our communities, and we would like to thank those of you who have supported us in the past and invite you to contribute this year. Please join our efforts to preserve open space across our watershed.

Help support Upper Charles Conservation Land Trust by donating or sharing with your friends.

07/17/2024

We apologize but have to once again postpone our Edible Plants walk at Wenakeening Woods in Holliston. We are working on a September date and will be back to confirm soon. Let's hope the third attempt at a date that works for everyone is the charm because this will be a fun event!

03/19/2024

Congratulations to the Trustees on this spectacular acquisition! We're thrilled to see Millborn Farm conserved and proud to have been of some assistance with the project. Thank you to all that supported this effort that will benefit our community and watershed for generations to come.

SHERBORN, Mass. – The Trustees of Reservations announced today it has acquired Millborn Farm, a beautiful 195-acre property with frontage on the Charles River that is situated in the towns of Sherborn and Millis in the heart of the Charles River Valley.

03/08/2024

The wet weather should clear by late morning so we hope to see you at our Winter Tree ID Walk this Sunday at 1pm.

What: Winter Tree ID Walk
When: Sunday, March 10th at 1pm
Where: Wenakeening Woods, 169 Summer Street, Holliston
Who: Anyone interested in a guided walk through the woods and learning how to identify trees without their leaves
Why: Informative, Fun, AND Snacks!!

Please join us on Sunday, March 10th at 1pm for a Winter Tree ID Walk at Wenakeening Woods in Holliston with local naturalist Ann Marie Pilch. Take a closer look at the winter woods and learn how to identify some common native trees - without their leaves! We'll explore buds, bark, branches, and more to discover each tree's unique and often overlooked characteristics.
The walk is free and open to the public; adults and children ages 10+. Meet at the Wenakeening Woods parking area at 169 Summer Street . Overflow parking at Fatima Shrine across the street at 101 Summer Street.
And stay for cider and donuts following the walk!
Ann Marie has been involved with nature education for years, most recently at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.