Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.  

Join Dan Wilder, Director of Applied Ecology, for a guided tour to learn about one of our most recent and exciting ecological restoration projects: the successful implementation of a prescribed burn over 28 acres of historically fire-adapted pitch pine and scrub oak barrens, a rare and vulnerable community threatened by fire suppression, development, and climate change. This project took years of preparation, coordinated actions, and the involvement of key partners, including the Monson and Wales fire departments, Mass Wildlife, Joshua’s Trust, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Bureau of Fire Control, with oversight from the MA Department of Environmental Protection.  

“Prescribed burns help restore balance to ecosystems, reduce invasive species, and lower wildfire risks. This practice supports fire-adapted habitats and allows the return of rare plants, such as the wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis), a perennial herb that has been absent from the landscape for the past 20 years.” said Dan Wilder.  

Come along and experience the rejuvenation process just weeks after the burn! Witness how a highly valuable habitat for wildlife is recovering. We will meet at the Norcross visitor center (30 Peck Road, Wales, MA 01081) on Saturday, May 24, at 10:00 a.m., and from there, we will head over to the site as a group to minimize the number of cars.   

Registration is required as space is limited: https://forms.gle/yFQGdgR5xRqtXnhj8