2024 Open House and Earth Day Celebration
Hike our trails, meet the turtles, see the birds, learn about forest health, do a craft, learn about Norcross!
The public is invited to find out more about all that Norcross has to offer at an open house to be held on Saturday, April 20th. Join us at our Administration Building at 30 Peck Road in Wales for family-oriented hands-on activities, crafts, a scavenger hunt and so much more!
Our public trails will open for the season at 8:30 am followed by a 9:00 am birdwatching walk with the Hampshire Bird Club. Guided tours of our public trails will be led by Norcross staff and join Dan Jaffe Wilder, author, and the Director of Applied Ecology at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation for a discussion about resilient landscapes at 1:00 pm.
We will be joined by other non-profits from the area working to protect nature and wildlife, including the Turtle Rescue League and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. Monson Pack 168 Scouts will be on hand with a fun activity and treats.
Staff from Norcross Wildlife Foundation will be available to talk about our work and the importance of protecting wildlife and natural resources in our region. There will also be free giveaways throughout the day!
So please come join us to celebrate Earth Day 2024 and learn all about the Norcross Wildlife Foundation and the more than 8,ooo acres of wildlife sanctuary it cares for in our region.
Schedule of Events
8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Self-guided public nature trails are open for the season! Trail Maps available at the Trailhead Kiosk.
9:00 am – “Birding for All” walk with the Hampshire Bird Club. Meet at the Trailhead kiosk by 9:00 am.
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Visit the Booths of Local Non-Profit Organizations:
Turtle Rescue League – Join Directors & Staff from the Turtle Rescue League whose mission is to “keep turtles as a part of the future, not a thing of the past” in our Visitor Center for some Turtle Time! Learn about the challenges our native turtles face and how we can make a difference in the lives and conservation of these special wetland creatures.
Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation – Visit with the staff from the DCR inside of the Visitor Center to learn how to identify current and future threats to our forest and how the DCR Forest Health Program monitors and manages for them. Children’s activities and informational publications will be available.
The Norcross Wildlife Foundation – Meet the Executive Director in the Visitor Center to learn about our mission and what the Foundation is all about. Check out our free giveaways and be one of the first 10 visitors and receive a free bluebird nesting box!
10:00 am – Meet at the Trailhead Kiosk for a guided walk with our Ecological Horticulturist, Leo Kenney.
1:00 pm – Building Resilient Landscapes
In the changing world in which we find ourselves, it behooves us to build resiliency into every landscape. The days of landscapes dedicated to beauty alone are passing. People are demanding ecologically sensitive landscapes; they want reduced lawn, reduced maintenance, and greater wildlife value. Join Dan Jaffe Wilder, author, and the Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation for a discussion about resilient landscapes. From choosing native plants, to dealing with weeds, to the problem that is the American Lawn, Dan will touch on numerous challenges and solutions to building resiliency into every landscape.
Throughout the day in the Visitor Center:
- Children’s Hands on Activity
- Give Aways – get your free native plant, along with a few other surprises!
- Nature Scavenger Hunt – Kids can grab a scavenger hunt at the Trailhead Kiosk, hit the trails to find all the items and once completed, return to the Visitor Center for a prize!
2:00 pm – Event ends but trails are accessible until 4:00 pm. Take a walk out to the Trailside Museum to see our special collections.
4:00 pm – Trails close promptly at 4:00 pm.
Schedule and activities are subject to change.
