Wishing for a peaceful 2024 full of promise

The last full moon of 2023, the cold moon, on December 27.

Dear Susan,

The last full moon of the year was fully visible in Groton this week, as if to promise bright things to come in 2024. One bright spot we know of: 2024 marks our 60th anniversary! You can be sure we will have many ways to celebrate all year long. Yes, there will be cake!

Coming up in January we have a few exciting things to share: two new trustees to introduce, and a new CR on a beautiful parcel in Groton.

We had a great 2023: the Bates property is open for hiking and looks terrific, we offered a full array of programs, and we are having a really strong fund-raising year - thanks to you - to make it all possible.

We will kickoff 2024 with our third annual First Day Hike (see info below). We look forward to seeing you in 2024.

Thank you to everyone who has joined and contributed in this last year. We are are a small group and literally every single dollar counts. The contributions we receive before 12/31 helps us choose which stewardship we do and programs we are able to offer in 2024. Let's make the new year as bright as the last full moon!

Have you considered creating a lasting legacy and protecting Groton forever? Let us help!

First Day Hike at Fitch-Woods

January 1, 2024 11:00 AM

First Day hikes are a part of a nation-wide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors.

On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes will be organized in all 50 states.

Join trustees Susan Hughes and Holly Estes in this GCT tradition, hiking on the first day of the year. We will begin and end at Williams Barn and explore Fitch-Woods in a 4 mile hike. Start your year off right!

This all ages event is free. All are welcome! Please register so we know to expect you.

Results for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2023

We are happy to share this report from the Groton-Oxbow Christmas Bird Count for 2023. We participated in one of the best counts ever!

From the report: We had a record number of species for the count, 86 in total! Our previous highest species count was 81 (not counting count week species) back in 2021. We also overshot our highest ever number of total birds observed. We had 16,681 birds this year - the record was originally 15,014 from 2006.

We added two new birds to the count: American Coot and Wilson's Warbler.

We also set new count records for 25 species this year.

Total Species: 86

Count Week Species: 1

Total Time: 214.5 hours*

Total Distance: 421.5 miles*

The top 5 species:

red-winged black bird
dark-eyed Junko
European Starling
American Crow
Canadian Goose

Our work is possible thanks to your donations

We are thankful you are a part of the Groton Conservation Trust! We enjoyed seeing you on the trail and at our many programs and special events, and hearing about your appreciation for open space in Groton. We often hear from you that the beautiful natural landscape, the trails, and the tremendous scenery are what inspired you to settle and remain in Groton.

We thank you for your support, and are reaching out to ask you to donate to our annual appeal. Your generous financial contribution goes directly to land protection, stewardship, and community programming.

This year we welcomed over 1,000 people to our many free programs, we completed our multiyear renovation project at the Bates-Blackman Land, and we managed stewardship work at June's Wood, Gamlin Crystal Springs, and the Forest Bells at Blackman Field and Woods.

You can make your gift online at our secure donation website, or look for an envelope from GCT in the next week to mail in your payment.

Thank you for your supporting the Groton Conservation Trust!

Become a GCT Member Today!

Our black-capped chickadee was the most popular sighting in Groton!

The Groton Conservation Trust is a private, non-profit land trust in Groton, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1964 to acquire, preserve, and provide public access to lands with significant conservation value. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of Groton residents with varied backgrounds, occupations and interests.

You are receiving this email as an interested member of the GCT.

Groton Conservation Trust

P.O. Box 395

Groton, MA 01450

Reach Out To Us