Land trust cancels events, work parties still ongoing

Mar 18, 2020
Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust will be keeping its trails and properties open during the coronavirus outbreak, but asked any visitors using them to practice social distancing (keep six feet away from others) and follow other safety measures.
 
In a statement, the organization announced that it will be cancelling all guided walks and events through April 7 at least, including the members-only daffodil party at Parsons Reserve.
 
DNRT also noted that it will still be holding trail “work parties” for volunteers to help clear brush and clean up the trails, but it will be limiting the number of participants to 10 and implementing other precautions.
 

Work party volunteers will help pick up trash, tackle invasive plants, trim trails, and perform other tasks at the properties. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and long sleeves and pants.

Coffee, water, snacks, and tools will be provided at every event, which will all take place from 9 a.m. to noon.

On March 27, volunteers will help prune the blueberry bushes at McBratney Reserve on Smith Neck Road.

Blueberry bushes at the Wernick Farm Reserve on North Albro Ave (off North Hixville Road) will also need pruning on March 31, while volunteers will be tackling invasive plants at the Star of the Sea Reserve on Star of the Sea Drive in South Dartmouth on April 9.

Finally, on April 17, volunteers will help clear invasive plants at the Manny Rose Perry Agricultural Reserve on Barney’s Joy Road.

Registration for work party volunteers is required and is available at dnrt.org.
 
The land trust also confirmed that while the main office will generally be open, staff may be working from home or taking time off on any given day, so visitors should call ahead.
 
“We are very concerned for the health and safety of our community, visitors, volunteers, and staff, and want to do what we can to limit the spread of this disease,” the statement read. “We will continue to consider the guidance of the public health community and any rules issued by the state as this situation unfolds.”