Wanted: Trail Volunteers!

Weston is fortunate to have over 90 miles of trails in town. After the last two spring storms, a lot of trees and branches came down. Weston Forest and Trail Association (WFTA) and the Conservation Commission are working hard at clearing the trails, but we would appreciate your assistance.

Here’s how you can help:

On your own -

Bring a hand saw and loppers with you on your next walk. Trim and toss anything blocking a trail. (Toss branches as far into the woods as you can.) Leave the larger branches. We will cut these up later. It is much easier to do this when the brush is removed first.

Join a volunteer work day!

WFTA has scheduled three upcoming workdays. Bring gloves, bow saws, loppers, and a water bottle and snack to keep yourself hydrated and energized.

Sunday, April 8th at 4:00 p.m. - We will clear as much as we can in the Cat Rock area (meet at the parking lot at the end of Drabbington Rd)
Tuesday, April 10th at 9:00 a.m. - We will clear as much as we can in Jericho Forest (Meet at the parking area on Gun Club Lane)
Sunday, April 15th at 4:00 p.m. - We will clear as much as we can in the College Pond area.(Meet at the parking area at Burchard Park (269 Concord Road)

Your assistance will help us to keep the trails open for all. And besides, working in the woods it is good for the body and soul, not to mention fun!

Report Downed Trees (that can't be moved off the trail)

Interactive Trail Map to Use with Your Smartphone

The Conservation Commission and the GIS Department have developed a simplified version of the MapsOnline program that can be used on your smartphone to help you navigate through Weston’s conservation land. There are three easy steps to get you on your way:

At home, pull up www.mapsonline.net/westonma/trails.html on your smartphone's web browser and bookmark it.
Next time you set off on conservation land, open the above web page.
To determine your precise location, press "zoom" and "follow" near the bottom of the screen and a blue circle will appear where you are situated (see graphic below).
If you discover a problem on the trail (tree down, erosion, etc.):
- Take a screenshot of your location and email that image to the Weston Conservation Commission at conservation@westonmass.org. Be sure there is enough info shown on the screen for staff to figure out where you are – it’s helpful if a nearby street and/or intersection number is shown.
- Take a photo of the tree/problem and email that too!
- It’s helpful if you include a description of the problem in your email (i.e. 8” diameter tree down across trail on March 8th)

Questions? Feel free to call the Conservation Dept. at 781-786-5067.

Quacking Ducks or Amorous Frogs?

Are those late-night sounds you hear quacking ducks or amorous frogs? Don’t assume that because you hear some quacking it’s ducks making the sound.

It’s the season for quacking frogs in much of the country. With the first warm, thawing rain of the spring, Wood Frogs emerge from their winter quarters—under logs or beneath leaf litter—and migrate to their favorite woodland ponds and bogs. When a frog reaches its destination, it starts calling for mates. That’s where the quacking part comes in: a chorus of male Wood Frogs sounds an awful lot like a flock of quacking ducks.

Listen to a Wood Frog's song-- it really does sound a bit like a duck. You can listen to many of Weston’s frogs here.

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