Mount Warner Explodes!

Before I get into the meat of this post, I will admit that I used a sensational headline to grab your attention.  Mont Warner isn't exploding with lava or ash rock or little chocolate and marshmallow candies.  Rather, it's exploding with excitement and new activity.

The preserved area of Mount Warner consists of 2000 contiguous acres of land held by multiple conservation groups and individuals.  The Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations has stewardship of the Mount Warner Reservation, 159 acres dedicated for "passive recreation" (i.e. hiking, walking, skiing, mountain biking, etcetera -- no motorized vehicles or hunting).  A public meeting at the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum last night gave interested residents the opportunity to share information and exchange ideas.

 

The Trustees shared their goals to "Protect, Steward, Excite"; to protect the numerous historic and natural resources on Mount Warner, including 5 stone/brick-lined artesian wells, vernal pools, Lou's rock, native birds and plants, and beautiful vistas (for a Mount Warner resource inventory created by students at UMass, visit this link); to steward the land by building new sustainable trails, marking & mapping them (there's a new 2-mile trail nearly completed!), creating a parking lot,  and managing invasives; to excite by partnering with local colleges, vineyards, orchards, farms, conservation groups, naturalists, and community and creating programs.

It was a great meeting with lots of ideas shared and discussed -- and it was a great way to meet neighbours and other outdoor enthusiasts!

Want to get involved in protecting, improving, and enjoying the Mount Warner area?  Come to the Opening Celebration and talk to Josh, the reservation superintendent, who may be forming a property committee; join the Friends of Lake Warner and participate in their activities (water chestnut pull at 9:00 on August 4, bring a canoe or kayak if you have one); or, just get out into the hills -- you can hike, bike, bird-watch, rock-climb, cross-country ski, and more!  Whenever you go, please remember to USE, ENJOY, RESPECT.



As previously stated, the meeting was held at the PPH Museum, which hosts small shows of various artists (I believe there were three artists represented last night).  The colourful the work of Jane Thurber was a great backdrop for the meeting.