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STURBRIDGE CONSERVATION COMMISSION NAMES 7TH ANNUAL WINTER TREE SCAVENGER HUNT GRAND PRIZE WINNER
IN PROGRAM AIMED AT FUN, HABITAT AND WILDLIFE LEARNING
Children, Families and Scouts Scour Wooded Heins Farm Area
“I found it!” “I see one, too!” “There’s another tree. It’s really pretty!”
The excited shouts of happy children zinged through the clear, frosty air recently as they discovered hidden decorated trees in the Sturbridge Conservation Commission’s 7th Annual Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt on the rolling uplands of the Town’s Heins Farm Conservation Area.
Organized as informal ‘teams,’ families and small groups searched along the Pond Loop and Cabin Loop Trails of the property’s 2.4 miles of marked trails. When they settled on their favorite tree, with its colorful, shiny decorations, they photographed themselves alongside, and a grand prize winner was selected from a recent random drawing of the submitted collection of pictures.
This year’s winner is Lucas Vilandre, age 8, of Wales. On February 14, he received a year’s subscription to “Ranger Rick,” a National Wildlife Federation publication, a copy of “Critters”, a Massachusetts Wildlife publication, and a wren birdhouse. Each of the other 15 participants, who ranged in age from 2 years to the suggested upper 13 years, received a handsome Certificate of Participation. They are: Casey Moran, Tommy Moran, Esme Moran, Joshua Kubicki, Alexis Leclair, Jackson Poller, Stella Kustar, Oliver Kustar, Ella Schofield, Cameron Courtney, Kahlan Vilandre, Olivia Merrick, Keenan Scherer, and Quinn Rainville.
Conservation Agent Glenn Colburn noted that the Annual Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt draws youngsters into a natural setting where they can energetically explore wildlife and a close-to-home extensive habitat. He explained that “we offer kids opportunities to discover their natural surroundings where they can come to appreciate the endless inter-connections that make the environment alive and beautiful. And they have fun. Perhaps eventually they will find their own role in stewardship.”
The scavenger hunt lasted from Thanksgiving weekend through school vacation to New Year’s weekend.
Several Town departments and community organizations voluntarily joined in the preparations. The Fire Department, Police Association, Cub Scout Troop 161, Brownie Troop #64510, Recreation, Conservation, The All Naturals and the Mom’s Club all selected and decorated trees.
In addition to the 2.4 miles of trails on Heins Farm, the Town maintains an additional 7 miles of marked trails on the 981-acre Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area.
Although separate from the Conservation Commission, the Sturbridge Trails Committee Is charged with the development, maintenance, and promotion of the trails on Sturbridge-owned property. They recently published a long-awaited booklet of Open Space properties in town, including Titanic Rail Trail, Army Corp and Opacum Land Trust properties, spearheaded by Tom Chamberland. This free 28-page full color guide is available at the Town Hall, Town Clerk’s office and the Conservation Office.
The Conservation Commission is also readying its Earth Day Neighborhood Trash Pick Up, set for Saturday and Sunday, April 22- 23. Watch for further information on the town’s website www.town.sturbridge.ma.us.
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