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Roots & Rivers

Haverhill Conservation in Action

January 2026

Let's Hike Haverhill! 2026 - Coming Soon!

Get ready for another year of Let's Hike Haverhill! Team Haverhill and Essex County Greenbelt Association will be hosting monthly guided hikes beginning in February. The hike schedule will be finalized and released in the beginning of January. Registration is required. Watch Team Haverhill's Facebook page for the release of the 2026 schedule - spots fill up quickly!

Winter Mystery: Why do some trees hold onto their leaves?

Have you ever wondered why some trees keep their leaves in the winter when others drop them? Most deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall when seasonal changes trigger leaves to detach, typically where the leaf stem meets the twig. Marcescence is a trait of certain trees who fail to drop their leaves. It is usually species-specific, commonly seen in oak and beech tree species, but can be induced through environmental conditions as well. Scientists have several ideas on why some trees keep their leaves in the winter, including protection from wildlife, soil moisture retention, and nutrient cycling.

Read more about the mystery of marcescence:

(Short read) Why Do You Just Keep Me Hanging On? from PennState Extension
(Longer read) Not all temperate deciduous trees are leafless in winter: The curious case of marcescence - Heberling - 2023 - Ecosphere - Wiley Online Library

Photo credit: Ned Friedman, Arnold Arboretum

Christmas Tree Pick-Up

Saturday, January 10, 2026 by 6AM

The most wonderful time of the year is over which means there are a lot of trees out there! Leave your undecorated Christmas tree by the curb on Saturday, January 10, 2026 by 6AM to be picked up by DPW.

If you miss this day of keep your tree longer, they can be dropped off at the Recycling Center on Wednesdays 8AM-3PM and Fridays 8AM-1PM.

Questions should be directed to the Solid Waste & Recycling Office at 978-420-3817.

Winter Gardening: Seed Sowing, Invasives Removal

The short, cold days of winter in New England may not seem like the time to garden, but early planning can go a long way when enhancing the value of wildlife habitat in your yard.

Plan garden projects now so you can take advantage of as much of the growing season as possible.
There's still time to start some seeds! Check out these methods from Blue Stem Natives or read more about winter seeding to get an early jump to Spring. Most native seeds require a minimum 30 day (this can vary) cold stratification period.
Removal of woody invasive species can be very effective in the winter months. Take a whack at woody invasives like bittersweet, autumn olive, multiflora rose, barberry, buckthorn, and burning bush.

Milk jugs. Photo credit: Lori Voll-Wallace, Pennsylvania State University

Tips for De-Icing Safely

With winter snow comes truckloads of snow melt, brine, and sand. These substances eventually make their way into rivers and streams, which can pollute groundwater and drinking water supplies as well as pose potential dangers to wildlife, aquatic life, pets, and plants. Not all deicers are made equally - learn about some environmentally safe ways to de-ice your pavement.

Use Greener Ice Melt – Neponset River Watershed Association

Why It Matters: Snow

"We all associate snowstorms with cold weather, but snow's influence on the weather and climate continues long after the storm ends. Because snow is highly reflective, a vast amount of sunlight that hits the snow is reflected back into space instead of warming the planet. Without snow cover, the ground absorbs about four to six times more of the sun's energy..."

Snowshoe at Tattersall farm

Take in the beautiful winter scenery at Tattersall Farm! Bring a pair of snowshoes or spikes and trek through the open fields and woodland trails. *Bonus: visit on a snowy morning and bring a printout of MassWildlife's pocket guide to animal tracks to see what wildlife you can identify.

MassFishHunt License Renewal for 2026

Time to renew your license to fish and/or hunt! Use these links to quickly get your license or learn more about when you need one.

Quick Links

Start Stewarding Now!

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