On Saturday, Febuary 19, join us for the official opening walk at Kestrel’s newest Neighborhood Nature Retreat: Whately Center Woods, a half mile from Whately’s historic town center. Neighbor and wildlife enthusiast Allison Bell will lead the way and share her intimate knowledge of this forest.

Snow or no snow, we’ll explore plants and signs of wildlife during a two-hour stroll. Black bears, coyotes, bobcats, porcupines, weasels, turkeys, ruffed grouse, barred and great horned owls are often heard or observed (as you may have viewed in the series of wildlife camera videos created by Allison Bell). The new loop trail with its boardwalks and bridges will bring you through wetlands and woodlands in this highly diverse forest that also includes small streams and at least one vernal pool. Northern tree species (such as sugar maple, yellow birch, and beech) intermixed with species characteristic of southern forests (such as tulip poplar and sassafras), as well as many common species are located here.

The community is indeed wild in Whately Woods! So, together we’re check out this new conservation area and see what we see.

Allison Bell is a photographer, field guide author, and co-owner of Quonquont Farm in Whately, MA. She’s been using trail cameras for 10 years on the farm’s 200 acres to plan conservation projects, monitor wildlife behavior, and create videos for social media.

This event is full. If you’d like to be added to the wait list, please email marilyn@kestreltrust.org