Roots & Rivers
Haverhill Conservation in Action
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Snowbound: Ski and Snowshoe at our Conservation Areas
If you're looking for something active to do in these winter months, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on some local trails! Tattersall Farm, John's Woods, Meadow Brook, and Brandy Brow Forest are popular areas for these activities.
Parks, Trails and Conservation Areas | City of Haverhill
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Massachusetts Drought Status
Haverhill is currently in level 1 - mild drought conditions. The current drought, which began in 2024, has had significant impacts on the natural environment, including the drying of streams in nearly all regions, lower water levels in lakes and ponds resulting in exposed banks, and impeding fish passage out to the ocean.
The Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) collected and analyzed data from August 2024 through October 2025. Residents can report dry environmental conditions and submit photos to help monitor the situation on the Massachusetts Water Impact Reporter (here). Additionally, a FAQ is now available for questions regarding the current drought status and water conservation; and private well owners can go here for information on how the drought may impact them.
Drought Status | Mass.gov
Water Conservation Tips
How many of these tips to conserve more water can you try at home?
100+ Ways to Conserve Water - Water Use It Wisely
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Ice and cold water safety | Each year, many Massachusetts residents are injured in cold water. Learn about cold water and ice safety. | | | |
Always use caution while fishing or recreating on ice.
| | | See the Department of Fire Services, "Ice and Cold-Water Safety" Guide. | | |
Wildlife in Winter
While usually good intentioned, providing food for wildlife does more harm than good. Wildlife have adapted to survive the cold winter months, scare food supplies, and the snow. Opt for improvements to wildlife habitat such as adding native plants for food and cover, leaving the leaves, and limiting use of pesticides.
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Avoid decorating with invasive plants!
Don't deck the halls with invasive species! Invasive plants damage our environment by completely crowding out native plants. Birds can't resist those berries, either. They spread seeds when they eat from invasive plants. So, don't grab that bittersweet or multiflora rose. Instead, try an arrangement of native evergreens and winterberry holly.
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DPW Curbside Leaf & Pumpkin Pickup
December 6th by 6AM
It's the last leaf & garden waste pickup day on this Saturday, December 6th! Please place only organic
material in your bag/barrel.
Place bags or open barrels at the curb no later than 6AM.
The City's compost & brush pile is open until December 13, 2025, and will open up again in Aprill 2026.
Composting and Yard Waste | City of Haverhill
| | | Safety tips for non-hunters | Hunting is a safe activity, and non-hunters can safely visit the woods at any time of year. Hunting accidents among hunters are extremely rare. Accidents involving non-hunters are even more rare. If you plan to enjoy the outdoors during a hunting season, review these tips. | |
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IT'S HUNTING SEASON!
Please wear bright orange blaze throughout the hunting season.
Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset.
Currently Active Seasons:
- Deer (shotgun): Dec. 1 - Dec. 13
- Deer (primitive firearms): Dec. 15 - Dec. 31
- Black bear: Dec. 1 - Dec. 13
- Crow: July 1, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026
- Squirrel: Sept. 2, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
- Raccoon: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
- Opossum: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
- Rabbit, Hare: Oct. 18, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
- Coyote: Oct. 18, 2025 – Mar. 7, 2026
- Fox: Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
See the 2025 Hunting & Fishing Seasons and Bag Limits
| | | Recent Volunteer Projects | | | | |
Winnekenni trails are shaping up this season! Our November trail building workshop was a huge success! With more than 20 people attending on both days, we built a new section of trail and fixed drainage along other sections.
Thank you to our volunteers and New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) for helping us to improve Winnekenni Trails!
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Haverhill Trails Stewards
Do you love spending time in Haverhill’s parks and open spaces?
Give back to the trails you hike, bike, birdwatch, or ski by becoming a Haverhill Trails Steward! Stewards work on their own time by reporting issues, picking up litter, clearing small debris, and performing light trail maintenance and also join group workdays to tackle larger projects as a team.
Learn more about the program
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