christmas tree with birdseed ornaments and fruit garland

Upcycle Your Tree for the Birds

Looking for an activity for the kids that's not screen-related? Why not upcycle your Christmas tree and redecorate it with tasty treats for the birds?

Be sure to remove all of your ornaments and decorations before taking your tree out to your yard. Find a suitable site and go wild by making edible ornaments or popcorn and fruit garland for birds and squirrels.

If DIY crafting and entertainment is just not your cup of tea, your tree can be recycled at the Transfer Station. We ask that you please not dispose of your Christmas tree by dumping it in the woods or on any conservation land.

Christmas trees also make great shelter for birds and smaller mammals. Just cut off the branches and lay them in a pile in the rear of your yard.

Updated Trail Maps

Conservation staff is busy updating many of the trail maps that are online and have just added a map for the Case Estates, including the Legacy Trail, connecting paths, and the abutting conservation land.

Additionally, the Conservation Lands and Trails web pages have been updated with information on the Bay Circuit Trail, the Mass Central Rail Trail (including designated parking areas), and a page on trail etiquette.

Reminder: Temporary Leash Order Remains in Effect

Due to the ongoing public health emergency (and the increasing rise in COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth), dog walkers must keep their pets on leash from 10:00 a.m. to dusk. This order applies to all conservation land except for the Case Estates and abutting conservation land where dogs must be leashed at all times.

Animal Tracking

Looking for another off-screen, outdoor activity for kids and adults alike? Learn how to identify animal tracks. You can do this on Weston’s Conservation Land or in your own backyard. This is especially fun and easy when the ground is covered in fresh winter snow.

Living with Wildlife

With 2,000 acres of conservation land and a rural aesthetic, Weston has an abundance of wildlife, from turkeys to coyotes, and even bears and bobcats. But don't fret! Find some great resources on the Living with Wildlife web pages to learn how to safely coexist with our furry neighbors.

The coyote breeding season will be upon us soon. We discussed the "song dog" in a previous newsletter to help our residents better understand what they're hearing echoing through the woods. An article by University of Vermont Adjunct Professor Brian Mitchell discussing his time decoding the sounds of the eastern coyote is an interesting read for those who hear the howls at night and wonder what is going on.

Winter Trail Etiquette

Fresh air and peace and quiet can do wonders, especially this year. When the snow is just right, take your cross-country skis, snowshoes or fat tire bike out on our shared-use trails and please follow these courtesies so all can enjoy the great outdoors.

Walk, snowshoe or bike next to tracks that skiers have already laid out (footprints and bike ruts spoil the tracks)
If you posthole or fall, please repair the divot for everyone’s safety
If you are on a fat bike and leave a rut deeper than an inch or are having a difficult time riding in a straight line, then the snow is simply too soft for riding
Remember, bikes yield to skiers and everyone yields to horses
Dog walkers must always pick up dog poop. Please don’t pollute the snow or trails with this unsightly and unhealthy waste - this includes the bags, too
Please respect other trail users and our wildlife
Follow all public health guidelines, which includes wearing a mask and maintaining a physical distance

Cleaning Up: Pitching in for the Greater Good

We are happy to see lots of residents walking Weston’s 100 miles of beautiful Conservation Land trails. Help us to keep the trails safe for all. If you see branches or fallen trees blocking the path, please feel empowered to move them, if it is safe to do so. If not, just let us know and we will take care of it. Conservation Staff can be reached at 781-786-5059.

Legacy Trail is Open

The newest recreational and nature-embracing asset in Weston crosses a portion of the historic Case Estates from the Community Center and up a hill where sunset views can be observed. The trail connects with a connector pathway that takes you across the Hillcrest Corridor to Ash Street. The path is dotted with dedication pavers and benches, and all five trail-head markers and the two pillars at main entrance are made from historical granite repurposed from the old Sears Estate and the Field School.

The Legacy Trail is ADA-friendly and has many resting spots for a leisurely stroll to embrace the natural surroundings. Dogs must be leashed at all times on the trail and fields, not only preserving the sensitive surrounding meadowland ecosystem but also making it friendly to those who are not so comfortable with a canine companion. Please be courteous to all trail users and clean up after your pet.

Weston Ski Track is Open

Charles River Recreation, in cooperation with Department of Conservation, is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities in the Boston area, including the Leo J. Martin Ski Track located at 190 Park Road in Weston. Reservations for skiing and snowshoeing are required.

three boy scouts posing with wood board walk they built

Boy Scouts of Troop 157 designed and constructed a bridge over a wet spot that has caused consternation for many a hiker and bicyclist in the College Pond area

Weston Boy Scouts Improve Trails

Weston has a newly improved trail in Town. Gillon Lim, a soon-to-be minted Eagle Scout, organized a group of fellow scouts, scout leaders, and town volunteers to improve the trail from Town Hall to the Mass Central Rail Trail.

The project included a new bog walk through a low-lying section of the trail, a hand-made bench for enjoying the view over a pond next to the rail trail, new signage, and general trail cleanup. To check out the trail, park near Lamson Playground on Town House Road. Look for the green Weston Forest and Trail sign to the north west of the playground and follow the trail through the woods to the rail trail. Once on the rail trail, you can go either west to Concord Road and Jericho Forest, or east to Church Street and the Sears Land. You can return to Town House Road by the same route, or take the sidewalks from Concord, Conant or Church Streets. Thank you Gillon!

Additionally, Weston Forest and Trail Association would like to extend its appreciation to the Boy Scouts of Troop 157 for the design and construction of a bridge over a wet spot that caused consternation for many a hiker and bicyclist from the College Pond area up to Concord Road, and connecting to Ogilvie Town Forest. Special thanks to Daniel Brown, soon-to-be Eagle Scout, his parents, his volunteers, and to Rees Tulloss, Conservation Commissioner, and Joel Angiolillo, Weston Forest and Trail Association President, for their mentorship and help on installation day.

Bark Rangers

A huge thank you to our Bark Ranger volunteers. These eight dedicated and passionate residents have been walking Weston’s trails (most often at Cat Rock and the Weston Ash Street Reservoir), engaging with dog walkers, and helping Conservation Staff and the Animal Control Officer keep our trails enjoyable for everyone by spreading awareness of the Town’s rules and dog regulations.

The Bark Rangers also complete an online form after each visit so that we can collect data on dog behavior and address any concerns. We are always grateful for these volunteers, but this year they deserve an extra thank you!

If you would like to join this effort, visit WestonMA.gov/BarkRanger to learn more.

Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring

Another thank you to our bluebird box monitors. These six devoted volunteers check our many bluebird boxes at seven locations throughout Weston. They visit weekly, clean out the boxes when needed, and are lucky enough to be the very first to observe baby bluebirds! This year we had several bluebirds at the Community Gardens, Green Power Farm, and the Merriam Street composting facility.

Time to Renew Dog Licenses

State law requires all dogs over 6 months to be licensed and tagged annually. Dog Licenses may be purchased through the mail or the drop box outside of Town Hall, since Town Hall is closed. Proof of rabies immunization must accompany the application and payment.

Renewals may be done online so long as the up-to-date rabies certificate is on file with the Town Clerk. Visit WestonMA.gov/DogLicense for the application and online renewal system.

woman smiling at camera holding a small garden snake

Staff Changes –
Farewell to Michele Grzenda

Conservation Administrator Michele Grzenda will be leaving Weston at the end of January. During Michele’s 12 years in Weston, she helped permanently protect 138 acres of land, worked closely with Land's Sake, Inc. and Weston Forest and Trail Association in field and trail management, helped develop Weston's Stormwater and Erosion Control By-law, and helped developed conservation land use and tree removal regulations.

We thank Michele for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to Weston’s open space.