Friends of the North 40

Events

We sponsor and promote events which educate and foster spirit and community within the North 40 and throughout Wellesley.

Vernal Pool Cleanup September 6, 2016

Thank you Wellesley Media for this great video coverage!

And thank you North 40 vernal pool volunteers! Folks spent a very hot afternoon removing trash, invasive bittersweet and burning bush, and even ran into a local 'resident,' a beautiful buck who came by to check out the action! Wellesley Natural Resources Commission helped organize the event.

Thanks for Visiting Us During July Jubilation!

We had a very successful day with our friends, the Wellesley Conservation Council. It was great to spread the word about Wellesley's beautiful open spaces!

Vernal Pool Cleanup

On July 3rd 2015 the Wellesley Conservation Council and the Friends of the North 40 organized a North40 Vernal Pool Cleanup. The vernal pool is located at the corner of Weston Road and Turner Road and had been collecting debris and litter for many years. Included in the haul were: 3 automobile tires, parts from 2 bicycles, a rusting hockey net with pucks, many broken bottles, and empty beer cans with the original pull tabs (circa 1970s). While salamanders reproduce in the vernal pool in the spring, new footprints of deer and other animals were seen along the side of the pool. Pictured are organizers Pete Jones, Jean Wiecha, and Michael Tobin.

Early Morning Bird Walk and Vernal Pool Exploration

The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission hosted Elissa Landre, Director, Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, for an early morning bird and nature walk at Morses Pond and the North 40 on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 6:30AM.

Some of the birds we saw and heard: Baltimore Oriole, Cardinal, Mourning Doves, Gold Finch, Robin, Grackle, Blue Jay parents and 3 babies in nest, Pine Warbler, English Sparrow, Black Capped, Chickadee.
Also present in area but not seen on this trip: Bald Eagle, Red Tailed hawk, Screech Owls, Turkey Vulture, Cat Bird, Brown headed Cow Bird.

We cannot thank Ms. Landre enough for a fantastic morning!

Click on the photos below to see what we saw and learned!

Over 500 People Explored the North 40!

As part of Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, 2015, Wellesley Celebrations Committee hosted Raptors, Goats, and You! at the North 40.

There were birds of prey demonstrations, goats who ate invasive vegetation, hay rides, garden tours, guided walks by Wellesley Trails Committee, information tables, garden giveaways, and events especially for the kids.

Across town Friends of North 40 hosted information tables at Sustainable Wellesley's Sustainable Living Festival, and at the Picnic in the Park before the firewoks. On Sunday afternoon Friends of the North 40 marched in the WWW Parade!

Thanks to everyone who attended and made the weekend a wonderful success!

North 40 Cleanup Day Held May 9th

All cleaned up and ready for the 2015 Wellesley Wonderful Weekend! Thanks, everyone, for a great effort!

News:

The North 40 was purchased in part with $10 million dollars of funding from the CPA. The Community Preservation Committee has proposed the acreage to be under deed restriction to the Select Board. Watch the discussion from the November 14 Select Board meeting starting at 1hour 26minutes.

The Wellesley Trails Committee submitted a Statement on Protecting the North 40 to Town Boards. Read it here:

Trails Committee Statement on Protecting[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [219.9 KB]

Ribbon Cutting at the Vernal Pool

The skies cleared for a beautiful ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the boardwalk at the North 40 Vernal Pool, which provides both access and protection to this important resource.

Selectman Jack Morgan and NRC Director Brandon Schmitt addressed the large crowd in attendance, and lead volunteer Bill Giezentanner had the honor of cutting the ribbon. The boardwalk was funded by the Community Preservation Act (CPA), and built with over 500 hours of volunteer labor.

See the video about the boardwalk here.