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Conservation Book Club
In August 2023 the conservation committee hosted the first Conservation Book Club meeting at Greater Good Brewery in Worcester MA.
Our first book was Dr. Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, an exploration of what we can learn from nature.It was a big success! We had some very deep and interesting discussions about environmental protection and sustainability!
Our second book was Fire Season. We got together in November and had a nice discussion about the relationship of conservation, land management, and the role fire plays on the landscape.
Our third book was American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee. Despite complications of loud music, we all had a great discussion in January about the book. Talking about how wolves play a vital role in the ecosystem and the success of their reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park.
Our fourth book was Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb. We had a good discussion about the book “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter” by Ben Goldfarb. We all talked about the important roles beavers play in the ecosystem and minimizing the effects of human/beaver conflict. Also, got to test out our beaver drawing skills!
Stay tuned for our next event.
Trail Talk Calendar
June 2024 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace Principle 7 – Be considerate of others – This month the Conservation Committee would like to remind us of the importance of respecting our fellow hikers while recreating in the outdoors.
March 2024 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace Principle 6 – Respect Wildlife – This is valuable in reminding us to respect the natural landscapes as crucial habitats home to an abundance of wild creatures.
February 2024 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace Principle 5 – Minimize Campfire Impacts – This month the conservation committee would like to promote the importance of preventing wildfires while recreating in the outdoors. This is the fifth of the seven principles of “Leave No Trace,” and is valuable in reminding us to leave the natural landscapes we find in good or better condition than we found them.
January 2024 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace principle 4 – Leave What You Find – The items we find in nature have a role to play, either in the ecosystem or the story of the landscape. Leaving what we find in place helps to preserve both. Allow others a sense of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and other objects of interest as you find them
December 2023 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace Principle 3 – Dispose of Waste Properly – The waste humans create while enjoying outdoor spaces can have severe impacts if not disposed of properly. Leave No Trace encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider the impacts they leave behind, which will undoubtedly affect other people, water, and wildlife. Let’s keep our trails and waterways clean!
November 2023 – This month we are encouraging Leave No Trace Principle 2 – Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – The goal of travel outdoors is to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land, foliage, or waterways. Travel damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery. By understanding the best practices to travel and camp on durable surfaces responsibly, we can minimize human impact on outdoor spaces
Carbon Footprint Challenge
The goal is for members to determine their own carbon footprint by using an online calculator through answering questions! This is a way we can educate ourselves about our individual impact on the environment. It’s important we reduce the effects of climate change and work towards saving our planet for future generations!
Here is the link to the google form for the carbon footprint challenge. Follow along with the online calculator by answering all the questions. Then submit your answers using the google form.
Winners will be selected at each monthly ECOM meeting and will receive a custom made iron on patch!