Story Time, Earth Day, and birthday bash: Here’s what’s coming up at DNRT

Apr 19, 2021

As spring unfurls leaves and buds across the South Coast, local land trust Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust is celebrating the new season — along with its 50th anniversary — with a series of free, socially distanced events.

Here’s what’s happening in your neck of the woods.

 

Kids’ Passport Challenge

Starting April 21 through the end of the year, kids are invited to stamp their “passports” at each of DNRT’s 19 properties with trails in the land trust’s Passport Challenge.

Participants can pick up passports at the DNRT office at Helfand Farm, 318 Chase Rd. Passports will be outside the front door of the office in a tote.

Bring the document to each of DNRT’s 19 properties with trails. At each kiosk, there will be a hole punch to stamp your passport. After stamping all 19, come back to the office to receive a prize!

Completed passports submitted before Sept. 13 will also be entered to win a grand prize.

 

On Wednesday, April 21 at 2 p.m., three local authors will bring their stories and read aloud to kids at the DNRT Center at Helfand Farm at 318 Chase Rd.

Dartmouth painter and printmaker Sandra Hall will be reading from her second book, The Mouse on the Catboat. It’s the story of a mouse learning to sail a boat named after his natural enemy. 

Contact Sandra at saltworksstudio@comcast.net for more information.

South Coast resident Reece Arnold will be reading from his book Mike’s Big Space Adventure, a story about a young boy who loves astronomy. 

One night, Mike has a dream he becomes a shooting star and travels through different galaxies in space, meeting new friends and having a wonderful adventure along the way!

Through his creative works and company, Reece-Cycled Fun, Arnold hopes to inspire other people with autism and those with challenges to follow their dreams and reach for the stars.

Read more about him at www.reececycledfun.com.

Recent university graduate and Dartmouth resident Allison Carreiro will be reading from Too Tired Tommy, a book she first created as a school project at Dartmouth High School.
 
Too Tired Tommy is about a boy who goes to bed late and suffers the consequences the next morning, reminding both children and adults about the importance of getting a good night’s sleep.
 

There will be three different outdoor areas for reading, switching off to promote social distancing. Guests should bring their own blanket or lawn chairs. Pre-registration required.

Pre-register at dnrt.org/product/story-time-at-dnrt.

 

Earth Day Clean-up

Help DNRT celebrate Earth Day on April 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. by greening up the Shingle Island River Reserve and surrounding areas.

Masks and social distancing are required.

Trash grabbers and gloves will be provided, but participants should bring their own if they can!

Pre-registration is requested at dnrt.org/product/earth-day-clean-up.

Shingle Island River Reserve is located off Flag Swamp Road, directly north of where the Shingle Island River flows under Flag Swamp Road.

 

50th Birthday celebrations
 
In lieu of DNRT’s annual Barn Bash, the land trust will be celebrating its 50th birthday with several small fundraising parties.
 
These Birthday Bashes will feature food, drinks, music, and yard games. Each party will be held outdoors at the DNRT Center at Helfand Farm.
 
50 tickets will be sold for each event, and will go on sale soon.
 
The bashes will take place at the following dates and times:
 
  • Friday, June 25, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
  • Friday, July 16, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 28, 3:30 - 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 18, 3:30 - 6 p.m.

 

To sign up for an event or to learn more about these or other events, visit dnrt.org/events.