The New England Botanical Society is having a membership event on January 10 at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Cronin Building, 1 Rabbit Hill Road in Westborough, Room 108, Southeast Conference Room. There will be a members potluck, raffle, and show & tell starting at 5:30 pm. For information on joining, visit https://www.rhodora.org/membership/join.html
Mark your calendar for the next New England Botanical Club Meeting on January 11, 2019 at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Cronin building, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA (Room 108 – Southeast Conference Room) Potluck dinner begins at 5:30 pm. Bring a potluck dish to share with other members and guests. Botanical labeling of dishes is encouraged. Dinner will be followed by a raffle of books and botanical items. A number of books and special botanical items have already been donated. Bring cash! Members and guests may share anything of botanical or club interest. Limit of about 10 slides or 5 minutes narration.
The Timber Rattlesnake is listed as an Endangered Species in Massachusetts and has experienced the greatest modern decline of any native reptile. It is a high conservation priority species for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildLife), the agency with the legal responsibility and mandate to conserve endangered and common wildlife species. Currently, there are only five populations of Timber Rattlesnakes in the Commonwealth. As part of an overall conservation strategy, MassWildLife is proposing to establish a small number of rattlesnakes on Mount Zion, a large island closed to the public at the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts.
Native to Massachusetts, the Timber Rattlesnake has lived here continuously long before European settlement. Humans are the greatest threat to the Timber Rattlesnake. While killing or disturbing this snake is a serious criminal offense, these acts, combined with road mortality, continue to be major factors that contribute to the rattlesnake’s imperiled status. The proposal to establish a small discrete population at the Quabbin Reservoir has evolved out of the need to have at least one location where this native species will avoid people.
Snakes will be offspring of Massachusetts snakes. Juvenile snakes will be headstarted in captivity by the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence for two winters, allowing them to grow large enough so they will have the best chance of surviving to adulthood. According the the government, while rattlesnakes are perfectly good swimmers, this island is large enough that they would have little motivation to swim away. Even if the snakes did swim, they would pose no measurable risk to the public, considering rattlesnakes have long lived in popular state parks and wildlife lands heavily used by people elsewhere in Massachusetts.
Throughout human history, snakes of all types have been feared, maligned, and persecuted. Because the snake is venomous, people express understandable concerns for their safety and the safety of family members and pets. As a venomous snake, the Timber Rattlesnake certainly has the potential to be dangerous. They are generally mild in disposition and often rattle their tails to alert animals and people. Wild bites to people are extremely rare. The latest antivenom treatments have greatly reduced the danger even if a person is bitten. You may learn more at www.mass.gov/dfw/timber-rattlesnake-conservation.
If you wish to express an opinion, pro or con, on this issue, you may contact the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Field Headquarters, One Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581, or call 508-389-6300. Also you may contact Matthew A. Beaton, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. His telephone number is 617-626-1015, and his email is matthew.beaton@state.ma.us. Image by Tom Palmer from www.masnakes.org.
Learning about the status of our local bat populations and bidding on unique items such as a Newburyport Harbor boat trip, nature-themed jewelry, pick-your-own blueberries, and bird nest boxes will be highlights of Hubbardston-Ware River Nature Club’s Annual Dinner Meeting at Hartman’s Herb Farm, Barre (pictured below) on January 18th.
Following a mid-day buffet dinner, Dr. Thomas French, Assistant Director of Division of Fisheries and Wildlife/Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program will present a slide program entitled The Unexpected and Sudden Decline in Massachusetts Bats. Dr. French will provide an overview of native bat species, discuss the mysterious non-native fungus called White Nose Syndrome that is causing the precipitous decline of bats, and talk about recent research. State Ornithologist Dr. Andrew Vitz will also make a short presentation regarding two local “citizen science†bird projects being spearheaded by the Club.
The afternoon event will include a silent auction to support HWRNC’s regular offerings of educational nature programs and field trips in central Massachusetts. The Club’s monthly presentations and outings, led by science/nature professionals and enthusiasts, are free and open to the public.
Items ranging from art works to guided trips have been consigned so far, but additional donations of items or special services are welcome and still being accepted.
This event, which will take place 12:30-5, is open to anyone interested in the Hubbardston-Ware River Nature Club. Cost is $28 per person for members, $32 per person for non-members. Annual membership in HWRNC is $15 individual, $20 family.
For more information, to make a reservation, or to donate to the auction, contact hubbardstonnatureclub@yahoo.com.
September 28th promises to be a day of learning and fun for those who attend the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE), to be held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The Big MOE, sponsored by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS), is a free, family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. The Big MOE presents a perfect opportunity to introduce young and old to a variety of outdoor skills and activities. Most of the same great stations from previous years will be at this year’s Expo, including fly tying, kayaking, trap shooting, a petting zoo, and many more.
New this year: State Ornithologist Drew Vitz (below) has developed a station called Introduction to Birding in Massachusetts. Stop by this station to hear recorded bird songs and get tips for viewing and identifying birds in the forest and field. Also, don’t miss the new and improved Bears of Massachusetts station, which will now include a barrel trap used by biologists to trap and collar bears.
The Big Moe is free thanks to the following co-sponsors: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, The Weatherby Foundation, Whitetails Unlimited, and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs. The Big MOE is in need of enthusiastic, outdoor-oriented volunteers willing to assist or host skills stations. Clubs, conservation organizations, and outdoor-oriented businesses wishing to host a skill station, assist others at an existing station, or make a donation are welcome. For more information on volunteering or exhibiting, contact Gary Zima at (508) 389-6314 or gary.zima@state.ma.us.
It’s not too early for families, friends, and youth groups to mark their calendars for Sunday, September 22, 2013, and join the fun at the 17th Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds at 24 Hamilton Road in Sturbridge from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. The Big MOE, sponsored by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS), is a free family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. The Big MOE is the perfect opportunity to introduce young and old to a variety of new outdoor skills and activities. This year, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will feature their mobile pellet gun range, turkey call making, turkey feathers and decoys and the opportunity to talk to a turkey biologist. A new Camping station will be staffed by a Girl Scout Troop and Tekoa Mountain Outdoors, a new Watershed station will be run by The Last Green Valley National Corridor and this year’s Kayaking station will be staffed by ZOAR Outdoors. A complete list of activity stations in information can be found at www.fawnsexpo.com.
This all-day event is free, thanks to the following co-sponsors: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, The Weatherby Foundation, Whitetails Unlimited and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs. The Big MOE is also in need of enthusiastic, outdoor oriented volunteers willing to assist at several skills stations or to host a skill station. Clubs, conservation organizations, and outdoor oriented businesses wishing to host a skill station, assist others at an existing station or make a donation are welcome. For more information on volunteering or exhibiting, contact Gary Zima at (508) 389-6314 or gary.zima@state.ma.us.
