Stow Conservation Department

Our post on invasive Tree of Heaven got a huge response yesterday. For more information on WHY controlling Tree of Heaven is important see this short 3 minute video: https://extension.psu.edu/controlling-tree-of-heaven-why-it-matters

And if you're still not sure if YOUR plant is a Tree of Heaven, this has some easy ID tips: https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven-accurate-identification

Finally, here's a third short video that summarizes control strategies: https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven-control-strategies

Controlling Tree of Heaven: Why it Matters Learn about the invasive tree-of-heaven, commonly found in Pennsylvania, and how you can use it to help control another invasive species, spotted lanternfly.

Stow residents -- please check your yards for small (and large) Tree of Heaven plants. We are seeing a disturbing number of small six inch to two foot high emergent invasive Tree of Heaven plants growing in town. Just yesterday we spotted four on a short section of South Acton Road near Red Acre Woodlands! These small plants will eventually grow into towering invasive trees.

Tree of Heaven, aka Ailanthus, is easily mistakable for sumac or walnut but the leaves have a little bump near the stem and smell like rancid peanut butter when crushed and sniffed. This highly invasive tree is still relatively rare in Stow, but it is the primary host plant for spotted lanternfly which we do NOT want here.

If you find a tree of heaven sapling or tree, please follow the guidelines in the Penn State Bulletin below, which offers proven control methods. July-September is the best time to treat for Tree of Heaven. We don't like herbicides, but there is really no other way. Notably if you cut down a large tree without pretreating it, you will find yourself besieged by root sprouts. And if the tree isn't yours, but belongs to your neighbor, please urge them to take action to eradicate the plant!

https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven

The Town, working with BSC Group, Inc., has completed the final Climate Resilience Master Plan for future conservation, recreation, and restoration activities on the portion of the Stow Acres North Course purchased by the Town. The plan has been designed to integrate with the proposed Residences at Stow Acres development on the adjacent parcel. You can find the plan and supporting materials at: https://www.stow-ma.gov/home/news/final-stow-acres-north-course-master-plan

Thanks to all of the residents of Stow and beyond that participated in surveys, site visits, focus groups, public meetings, and other outreach activities that led to the creation of the Plan, and to the Commonwealth's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program for their support of both the acquisition of the land and the preparation of the Plan.

For those who are interested in better understanding the impact of rodenticides in the food chain and the secondary poisoning impact on hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, and other animals this is a great article with applicability beyond Cape Cod.

https://provincetownindependent.org/featured/2024/05/22/tracing-the-shadow-of-rodenticides-on-cape-cod/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1nuM8JiBx1f2j45H_hEoQaqnFP1f6YlR3sq6xUfm2C0Y31lxfcR57vUHk_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

You can find information on controlling mice and rats without using anticoagulant rodenticides here: https://www.massaudubon.org/take-action/advocate/poison-free-pest-control

Tracing the Shadow of Rodenticides on Cape Cod - The Provincetown Independent EASTHAM — Sometimes, when a bird arrives at Wild Care, the wildlife rehabilitation center here, Executive Director Stephanie Ellis knows instantly what it is suffering from. She recalls when a […]

On Tuesday June 11th, members of the Stow Fire Department will be training with the Mass Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team in the Town of Stow, MA Town Forest. There will be increased Fire Department presence in the Bradley Lane parking lot and along the blue and white trails.

Big shout out to Nashoba Class of '25 student Maddie Oxnard for her leadership in designing and planting a pollinator garden at the entrance to the Stow Community Gardens as part of her National Honors Society project! Maddie also served as a member of the Stow Acres North Course Master Plan Working Group and helped bring the perspective of her Nashoba Science class to that effort.

Nice job Maddie! Thank you!

Deerfield Lane/Red Acre Woodlands trail users: please note the new entrance to the Deerfield Lane access to Red Acre Woodlands. We have slightly rerouted the trail and ask that all trail users use the new path. Thank you!

Remember, this Friday May 31 is the deadline for comments on Option 1 vs. Option 2 for the Stow Acres Master Plan. If you missed the presentation, you can find it - along with the presentation materials on the town website at: https://www.stow-ma.gov/stow-acres-open-space-recreation-and-housing-page/pages/draft-north-course-master-plan-may-2024

MARBLE HILL TRAIL USERS: Effective immediately, we have remarked the short loop trail that comes off the back of the Pompo Field as the new BLUE loop and a very short portion of the trail near the entrance has been relocated. We also have a new kiosk at the entrance that will be completed tomorrow. Maps on our website will be edited accordingly.

This week town officials and BSC Group, Inc. presented a draft Master Plan for the future conservation, restoration, and recreational use of 115 acres of the Stow Acres North Course. The meeting was recorded by Stow TV and will be posted on the Stow TV YouTube channel.

Two alternatives were presented at the meeting with differing levels of recreational activities. The planning team is seeking comments on which plan is preferred by the community. Public comments are being accepted through May 31, 2024 -- and a link to the presentation materials and a comment form is below. Thank you!

https://www.stow-ma.gov/stow-acres-open-space-recreation-and-housing-page/pages/draft-north-course-master-plan-may-2024

This past Tuesday, we had the pleasure of hosting the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Society of Municipal Conservation Professionals at Stow Acres. The group learned about the Stow Acres Initiative and the town's planned habitat restoration activities, and then helped with identification of invasive species, contributed more than 50 species sightings to our iNaturalist citizen project at Stow Acres, and helped with evaluation and certification of a vernal pool on the North Course. It was a great day!

A final reminder of our Stow Acres Master Plan presentation on May 22nd. Thanks to all those who have RSVP'd. We need to give a final count to Stow Acres by noon on Wednesday. So if you haven't let us know you are coming, please do so by noon at tinyurl.com/stowacresrsvp

On May 22nd, town officials and our consultants, BSC Group, Inc., will be hosting an in-person presentation of the draft Climate Resilience Master Plan for the 110-acres of the Stow Acres North Course acquired by the Town for conservation and recreation purposes. Please join us at Stow Acres on May 22nd at 7 pm to view the draft concept plans that have been prepared and give us your feedback. The presentation will be held at the historic Randall House (clubhouse) at Stow Acres and will include free appetizers and a cash bar. Please RSVP by May 13th if you plan to attend to tinyurl.com/stowacresrsvp

More information about the project can be found at: https://www.stow-ma.gov/stow-acres-open-space-recreation-and-housing-page/pages/north-course-climate-resilience-master

Thank you!

Town of Stow, MA
Stow Recreation Department
Stow, MA Planning Department
Stow Conservation Trust

Let's talk turtles. Massachusetts is home to 10 species of turtles, six of which are state-listed species. This is the time of year when many turtles are out crossing roads looking for food and nesting sites. If you see one on the road and if you are able, please consider carefully helping it along in the direction it is traveling. Most turtles, except snapping turtles, are best moved by grasping them on the side of the shell between the legs. Never pick up a turtle by its tail. Snapping turtles can be nudged along with an object. Please don't collect or relocate turtles. For injured turtles, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

More info including turtle photos: https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-helping-massachusetts-turtles
Photo by K. Sferra

Fishers are the perfect topic for Misconception Monday! What have you heard? Fishers scream? Fishers are vicious? Fishers = fisher cats. These animals are perhaps the most vilified of the animals that inhabit our forests. What's true and what's not? Check out this information from Mass Wildlife for some fisher facts!

https://www.mass.gov/news/fishers-fact-vs-fiction

Garlic mustard is currently in full flower in Stow. This invasive plant actually alters the soil to favor its own growth. Look for small white flowers and these distinctive leaves on 1-4' high stalks. Garlic mustard is easy to pull from roadsides, gardens, and yards when soil conditions are wet and with the help of a trowel to make sure that you get the whole plant. Please bag it and dispose of it. It is also a biennial, so keep an eye on the same spot next year to make sure it is gone. You can find more on garlic mustard control here: https://extension.psu.edu/garlic-mustard

Welcome to a new occasional feature, Misconception Monday!

This week's topic is mulch. Specifically too much mulch, and mulch "volcanoes" around trees. Mulch can be beneficial and help retain moisture around plants, but it can also foster root rot and disease and kill trees if improperly placed. The graphic below (thanks to Newton) provides information on proper mulching and you can learn more on the Stow Tree Warden's page at this link: https://www.stow-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif11851/f/uploads/mulch_volcanoes_are_tree_killers.pdf

Theres still time to register for this month’s 4th Friday walk, this Friday April 26th at 1 PM - Stow Town Forest Wetlands and Wildflowers. Join Jacquie Goring for a 2-mile easy walk at Stow Town Forest that will explore some of the interesting wetlands and wildflowers at Stow Town Forest. Park and meet in the Bradley Lane Parking Lot. RSVP to [email protected]. No dogs please.

Stow's updated Open Space and Recreation Plan has now been approved by the state, maintaining our eligibility for state grants for open space and recreation projects until 2030. Copies of the plan can be found on the town website here: https://www.stow-ma.gov/conservation-commission/pages/open-space-and-recreation-plan-2023. Many thanks to all who assisted with this project, including other departments and volunteer committee members.

UPDATE: the lot has reopened...and the Red Trail will reopen in about an hour.

Captain Sargent Trail Users -- the South Acton Road main parking lot will be closed for a few hours this afternoon. Alternate parking is available on the side of Tuttle Lane or at the Community Gardens, and at the Flagg Hill Barn on West Acton Road. Thank you!

Send a message to learn more

Happy Earth Day! It's a great day to get outside and explore a new destination. Did you know that there are maps of all of Stow's conservation land trails on our website? This includes Town lands, SCT properties and more. It's easy to download them or save a screenshot to your phone.

Conservation Lands and Trails | stowma Townwide Conservation Land InformationStow Open Space Map Q&A for Conservation Land NeighborsTown Conservation Land RegulationsConservation Land PermitStow Conservation Lands Dog Walking RegulationsEasy Walks in StowConservation Land Sign PolicyMaps of Specific Town Properties*Marble Hill Conservati

Somewhere deep in the woods of Stow, in an undisclosed location, two great horned owl babies are growing and getting ready to fledge!

On May 22nd, town officials and our consultants, BSC Group, Inc., will be hosting an in-person presentation of the draft Climate Resilience Master Plan for the 110-acres of the Stow Acres North Course acquired by the Town for conservation and recreation purposes. Please join us at Stow Acres on May 22nd at 7 pm to view the draft concept plans that have been prepared and give us your feedback. The presentation will be held at the historic Randall House (clubhouse) at Stow Acres and will include free appetizers and a cash bar. Please RSVP by May 13th if you plan to attend to tinyurl.com/stowacresrsvp

More information about the project can be found at: https://www.stow-ma.gov/stow-acres-open-space-recreation-and-housing-page/pages/north-course-climate-resilience-master

Thank you!

Town of Stow, MA
Stow Recreation Department
Stow, MA Planning Department
Stow Conservation Trust

Attn. Trail Users -- the Red Trail at Captain Sargent is temporarily closed from the parking lot to the connector to Tuttle Lane due to both mud and an extremely hazardous overhead tree. The trail will be closed through the weekend. Please use alternate routes.

Also, the combination of rain and historically high groundwater levels has left many of our trails extremely wet and muddy. We'd appreciate it if trail users (especially bikers) could give muddy areas a rest through the weekend and let them dry out a bit.

Thank you!

Looking for work? The Stow Conservation Department is looking to hire a Seasonal Trail Steward for 10-12 weeks this summer. The position is approximately 12 hours a week between May and August with flexible weekday hours to be mutually agreed upon. The successful candidate will be one of two stewards responsible for trail maintenance, boundary posting, interacting with visitors, and a wide variety of general land stewardship tasks. The full position description is available at: https://www.stow-ma.gov/human-resources/pages/current-employment-opportunities Applications made be submitted via email or dropped at Town Building. This is a great opportunity for college students, retirees and more. Spread the word!

Current Employment Opportunities | stowma Thank you for your interest in a career opportunity with the Town of Stow. Please send all resumes and cover letters to [email protected] unless otherwise directed in the posting.

1966 Town Center Plan

The Stow Fire Department doesn't have the corner on ! Today we take you to the announcement of our very first Stow Conservation Commission meeting in April 1961 sent by Bob Connington to Stanley Stevenson. This was before websites and email, seven digit phone numbers (never mind area codes) and when a postcard cost 3 cents! And also before the Commission had responsibility for administering the Wetlands Protection Act and was mostly focused on open space protection. The Commission had five members at the time. Meetings were held in Town Hall, long before Town Building existed. Stanley (1961-1966) and Bob (1961-1975) were two of the charter members of the Commission along with Alfred Brown (1961-1963), Doug Trefry (1961-1972), and Michael Tyson (1961-1962). Stories of these charter members are welcome!

Don't miss this Comprehensive Plan survey. It's easy and a great chance to weigh in on issues of concern and taxes!

Provide Your Feedback for the Comprehensive Plan! | stowma We need your help developing the Stow Comprehensive Plan 2035Take the survey to provide your feedbackAttend or host your

We are starting our Earth Day celebrations a little early this year! Our Community Engagement Team has partnered with Neighborhood Forest to offer free saplings for kids to plant on Earth Day. Registration ends on March 15th! Saplings will be mailed to the department for pick up closer to Earth Day along with instructions. All saplings will be local to our area. Thank you to the Randall Library for helping us getting the word out! If you are interested in signing your child up or have questions about the program please see the links below.

Program Information
https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/

Parent Registration Link
https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=87106

The Mass Executive Office, in partnership with UMASS/Amherst, is conducting study to assess statewide groundwater flooding risk. They are looking for reports from those who have had wet basements. To participate, use the QR code below or go to tinyurl.com/masswetbasement. You'll be prompted to provide email, zipcode, whether or not you have a flooded basement, the extent of flooding, what months you experienced flooding, and whether or not you have a sump pump, and any other information you wish about your flooding experience. We've been asked to share this with residents, but are not participating in any other way in the study.

With golf season winding down for the winter, it's a great time to explore the new Mapledale Trail public access walking trail on the South Course of Stow Acres built by the Town's Conservation Department last year. The trail is loop of almost 3 miles around the perimeter of the South Course and is marked with the signs shown below. If it's your first time out, we definitely recommend bringing or downloading a map from our website at:https://www.stow-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1286/f/uploads/mapledale_trail_map_1.2.pdf

Parking is available at the Driving Range or at the main clubhouse at 58 Randall Road. Stow Acres is private land protected with a permanent conservation restriction held by the Stow Conservation Commission and Stow Conservation Trust. Dogs and bikes are not permitted on the trail. Walkers should be mindful of golf balls in play whenever the course is open and yield to golfers on the course.