On April 18, paddlers inaugurated the Greenbrier Water Trail in Oxford. A new launch site, constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and French River Connection volunteers, was dedicated in a ceremony as part of the Last Green Valley's Source to Sea program. Naturalist Jean Hixson led approximately twenty boats on the three mile paddle. Here is a slideshow of the event
On April 9, we learned that the partnership made up of the Dudley Conservation Land Trust, the French River Connection, and an Oxford Citizens' Committee has received a $10,000 grant toward the purchase of Leovich Landing. This brings the total, in hand or pledged, to $53,000 of the $70,000 needed. If you're reading this article and have yet to donate, please consider doing so by sending your tax-deductible contribution payable to the Dudley Conservation Land Trust to 169 Old Webster Road, Oxford MA 01540. Follow our progress on the scale at left.
On Saturday April 4, Boy Scouts from Troop 66 in Thompson took part in a program organized by the French River Connection to protect riverside trees from an expanding beaver population along the French River. Using welded wire fencing donated by Home depot in Oxford, the scouts built cages around 41 trees in Connecticut south of Perryville Road. The cages prevent beavers from "ringing" large trees which inevitably kills them, reducing shade along the river and degrading the habitat for fish and other aquatic life. The task was the life project of scout Corey LaChance, center, in dark glasses.
