Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. There are so many opportunities here in Weston.

Rotary Club members partaking in the pollinator project.

Photograph provided by Charlie Hamlin, Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland

Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland - Pollinator Project

Join the Rotary Club for some outdoor time while also helping to create a model pollinator habitat on Conservation Land. As a bonus, you will meet some of the most welcoming people in Weston! The Rotary Club is a community service organization dedicated to doing good in the community. The Rejuvenation for Pollinators project at the Sears Driveway Field (27 Crescent Street) focuses on removal of invasive species and creating pollinator and wildlife habitat over a five-year period.

The Rotary invites all to participate in this important ongoing project. Mark your calendar:
Coffee and conversation on Saturday mornings 9 am – 12 pm, April 23, & May 14

Dinner served on Thursday evenings beginning at 6 pm at the barn next to the field on April 28, May 26, & June 23

Please join for a time of fun and good work! Contact charlie1288@gmail.com for more information.

Photo 1: Participants of the Pollinator Project 2: Pollinator Project Volunteers Enjoying Lunch

Photographs Provided by Charlie Hamlin, Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland

Protecting Weston's Valuable Assets

Stewardship Saturdays

Join the Weston Conservation Department and Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA) on the third Saturday of every month for stewardship and camaraderie as we work collaboratively to manage 2,000 acres of Conservation Land and 100 miles of trails. Stewardship Saturday projects include invasive plant management, trail construction and maintenance, boardwalk and bridge construction, trash pickup, stone wall beautification, etc. For more information and to sign-up, visit this link.

Town Earth Day Cleanup

The Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG) invites all interested residents to collaborate on what has become an annual tradition. The Fifth Annual Town Cleanup is taking place during the week of April 23-30 (just after Earth Day, April 22), and again we hope to beautify our roadsides, trails and fields.

As in years prior, the focus of the Town Cleanup will be to unite friends and neighbors around our common cause – reducing the amount of litter in our environment - while respecting each individual’s comfort and energy level. Previous years’ experiences have taught us that we can find litter everywhere once we look. Children become very invested once they realize how much they can collect and we see them come away with a sense of pride and connection as they are helping their hometown become cleaner and greener. This is visible in many of the pictures of trash pickers and their finds, shared at https://www.facebook.com/westontowncleanup/ where there is also a map updated with locations that were visited and cleaned.

For those so inclined, early bird participation could begin earlier, and during any nice days, as happened in 2021, perhaps a testament to a growing tradition. Early reports and pictures help gather momentum online and in the town newspaper. Many of Weston's regular walkers and hikers and have (re)discovered one of the things that make Weston truly special: our miles and miles of hiking trails. Others may have adopted a puppy during the pandemic – and learned from our new best friends to notice all the trash and questionable ‘treasures’ present at our roadsides.

A few quotes from previous years:

“I have never seen so many airplane-size bottles of vodka.”

“We had a great time and there was a lot of trash.”

“This really was a very satisfying way to take a walk.”

“I didn't realize how much trash there was until I went consciously looking.”

One 'very 2022' FAQ is where and how the collected trash can be processed. Pickers are welcome to take a photo and send it in, and then dispose of their findings with their normal trash. Some may remember the bright yellow bags of our 2019 cleanup (donated by the Weston Emergency Response Corps). There is still a supply of those at Town Hall available. With much support from town staff, SWAG has arranged so that those who bring yellow bags to the transfer station will not be charged a PAYT fee.

For more information, visit https://www.sustainablewestonma.org/. For additional questions, please email WestonTownCleanup@gmail.com.

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day! - Sustainability Fair sponsored by Land’s Sake

Please join Land’s Sake Farm for an Earth Day (and Land Sake’s Birthday) celebration Saturday, April 30 to explore the farm with the whole family, learn more about the Town’s sustainability efforts, and come together to learn about all things green!

Visitors of all ages will connect to the land and see all the ways Land’s Sake works to inspire stewardship and sustainability. Enjoy the outdoors while engaging in various ‘education stations’ set up throughout the farm.

Education Stations:

Community Farm Activities for all ages
Herb Garden & Perennial Pollinator Garden clean-up & transplant project
Rock Harvesting & Painting
Education Garden Discovery Scavenger Hunt & Animal Visits
Forestry Info & Tree Specimen Walks
Compost Info & Demonstration
Farm stand will be open with local artisans selling handmade goods
Learn about our Hunger Relief Partners
Sign-Ups available for all things Land’s Sake - Membership, Volunteer, Green Dollars, Veggie & Bread Shares
Learn about all the new and exciting things this season has to offer
Parking available across the street at library, school and community center

Questions and Info Contact: Heather Hilton at heather@landssake.org or info@landssake.org.

Weston Forest & Trail Association (WFTA) Walks

Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA) leads guided trail walks each month from October to May, so that residents and their friends may enjoy and appreciate the wonderful nature that surrounds us. Walks typically start at 2 pm and run 1–2 hours. WFTA invites you to join.

April 3 – College Pond and Burchard Park - Learn about the history of Merriam’s farm, barn, and the apple orchard at one of the town’s favorite conservation properties. Park at Burchard Park tennis courts.

Photograph of College Pond Provided by WFTA

Photograph of Ogilvie Forest, by Kristin Barbieri, WFTA

Weston Forest & Trail Association (WFTA) Walks

May 1 – Ogilvie Town Forest – Meet in Lincoln and walk in Weston’s largest and wildest forest. Park on street near 47 Old Sudbury Road (“Ponyhenge”).

All ages are welcome, as are well behaved dogs on leash. Walkers need not be WFTA members, but we encourage you to consider joining as dues support the maintenance of Weston's trails and open spaces. Please be sure to check WestonForestTrail.org for any last minute changes.

Weston Invasive Plant Action Group (WIPAG)

WIPAG is a collaborative comprised of both Town departments as well as dedicated residents, with participants representing the Weston Conservation Department, Conservation Commission, WFTA, Board of Health, Facilities Department, DPW, Select Board, Planning Board, Tree Advisory Group (TAG) and Weston Plant Pollinator Alliance (WPPA).

The group focuses on the ever growing (pun intended) problem of invasive plants, and has recently added lots of useful information to the Town's Invasive Plants page. Check it out to learn how each resident can control invasive plants on your own property.

Conservation Land Management Volunteer Application

Interested in assisting the Town to maintain Conservation Land? Initiating a project is simple – go to the Weston Conservation Commission page.

Wild Wild West(on) - Share Your Talent!

Are you a shutterbug who enjoys capturing Weston’s wildlife? We welcome your submittals – whether flora or fauna – and will share your observations in upcoming Conservation Connections. Please submit your photographs to Howell.D@WestonMA.gov. We look forward to seeing what YOU have seen.

Photograph of a Red-Tailed Hawk, Taken By Debbie Howell

Calling All Dog Lovers!

Do you love walking trails? Engaging with others? Have a passion for the environment? And are tired of seeing (or worse yet, stepping in) dog poop on the trails? Become a Bark Ranger and help us to keep Weston’s trails and open spaces enjoyable for everyone.

The Town is seeking volunteers to assist the Conservation Department and Animal Control Officer in spreading awareness of the Town’s rules and regulations for dogs and dog walkers. Volunteer responsibilities will include hiking our trails, educating visitors about dog walking habits, and collecting basic data. Want to make a difference in your community? Visit Weston's Volunteer Bark Rangers Page to find out more and complete a simple, on-line application.