Cub Scouts explore Spaulding-Proctor Preserve

On September 26th, Leah Basbanes guided a group of boys from Cup Scout Pack 28 on a walk through the Spaulding-Proctor conservation land. They were there to appreciate the open space, learn to take a closer look at nature and identify some of the things around them.

Along the trail, Leah pointed out many different species of trees, shrubs and groundcover. She also pointed out several tracks and other signs of the wildlife living around the pond, such as beaver, chipmunks, red squirrels, carpenter ants, porcupines, turtles, crows, and bluejays. The boys gathered a few souveniers of their walk, such as leaves, feathers, porcupine quills, and oak galls. They seemed particulary interested in the oak galls!

Leah Basbanes chairs Dunstable's Conservation Commission and represents ConsCom on the Community Preservation Committee. She is also an active member of both the Dunstable Rural Land Trust and the Nashua River Watershed Association. She is a powerful advocate for preserving the natural beauty of our open space. Like many of the town's conservationists, she has a strong interest in helping members of the community get more in touch with the natural resources around us. Sharing her knowledge of nature and the trails through our conservation land are one of the ways she does that.

The Spaulding-Proctor Preserve lies on the west side of Massapoag Pond, south of Pleasant Street (Rt. 113). One of the trail heads is between the Post Office and the General Store on the west side of "Jack's Bridge" where Salmon Brook crosses under Pleasant Street. If you stay left, that trail leads to a trail that has several views of Lower Massapoag Pond that are particularly spectacular in the fall. There's another trail head into the property marked by a gate on Groton Street, and another off the Larter Field driveway.

Click here for more photos.

(Thank you to Megan Sullivan for the photos!)