December 3, 2007

Dear Friends of Maxwell,

Water, water, water!

As our reservoir goes into it’s 5th month of grass growing and impressive stumps, we are reminded of the role of the 450 acre West End forest in protecting our surface water supplies, as well as some in Cohasset’s. You can see this first hand when you head out on our marked trails. We are excited to currently be working on another preservation project involving acreage abutting the Litchfield property!

This forest is very important to the South Swamp, from whence at least half our surface water emanates. This forest is upland of the swamp, and all the rain (when we get some!) runs downhill into the swamp, from which the First Herring Brook flows. Currently, there are 225 acres preserved in this forest. We need to continue to protect this area which is crucial to water supply protection.

A person in the grocery store was recently overheard telling a friend about being out on the “Pipes Trail”. It is truly gratifying to know that the trails are becoming known, that people refer to them familiarly, and that they are out enjoying this wonderful Scituate gem. Have you been out there recently?

On Thanksgiving Day, a friend saw the beginning of what we hope will be a new Thanksgiving tradition: a family taking advantage of the spectacular warm sunny weather, heading out for a hike on the “Litchfield Trail” after their bountiful dinner. Does your family like to go for a walk to stave off the inevitable turkey coma? These trails are a great place to take one! Parking is available across the street from both of these trails entrances.

We hope that you are among the many enjoying the 3 miles of trails in Scituate’s largest unfragmented forest! The Recreation Department sponsors walks through the Fall, and again in the Spring on these trails. There are many varieties of forest and trails, vernal pools, and interior forest bird species that you won’t see in your neighborhood. One frequent walker said that he and his wife like these trails better than any other trails they had been on, including those they sometimes visit in Hingham and Cohasset. “These trails are better marked, and they are in our own town! We come out once a week if we can.”

The Maxwell Conservation Trust is a public non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. The Trust CAN NOT exist without its members! We can’t bring these purchases to the town without you! Please check your mailing label to see when your membership expires so you can renew, or if you would like to contribute an end of the year gift, now is a good time to get your tax deductible end of the year donation in. Thank you for your support.

Membership Form

Yours in conservation,
Wayne H. Robbins