MECT is pleased to announce our Annual Meeting and Fall Hike Series! 

Annual Meeting featuring “Bears in the Neighborhood”

Guest Speaker: Dr. Ben Kilham of the Kilham Bear Center

November 6, 4 PM – 6 PM

Dr. Kilham will raise our curiosity, dispel our fear, and educate us about living amongst black bears, as they are soon to be our newest neighbors here on the North Shore.

We’ll also have a short Annual Meeting to present 2021 financial results, 2022 activities (including an update on the ongoing defense of Shingle Place Hill), our plans for the future, and to elect/reelect Officers and Trustees.

Join the MECT community of friends and supporters for our return to in-person events. We can’t wait to see you! All are welcome to this free event. We’ll meet at beautiful Riversbend in Essex, thanks to the generosity of the owners. We’ll enjoy a cash bar and free Pizza Bar, courtesy of our sponsors. Gluten-free pizza options are available. 

 

 

 We are thrilled to meet in person at Riversbend, 35 Dodge Street, Essex, at this beautiful venue, courtesy of the owners.  We are grateful for the generosity of our local business sponsors. 

 

Please register here

Dr Ben Kilham has authored several books on his experience with bears, including Among the Bears: Raising Orphan Cubs in the Wild and Out on a Limb: What Black Bears Have Taught me about Intelligence and Intuition, and his research has informed and influenced international bear conservation efforts.  

 

October 22, 9 AM – 12 PM

Fall Trail Clean-up Day 

 

with MECT Stewardship Committee volunteers

Roll up your sleeves and join MECT as we take a morning to nurture the trails we love!  We’ll remove fallen limbs, replace signage and blazes, repair the boardwalk, and more.  All ages and skill sets are welcome (including teens trying to fit in some community service hours).  This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow MECT community.

Register here

October 23, 10 AM – 12 PM

Fall Hike – Sketching on the Boardwalk

 

with Slow River Studio

Sketching can change the way you see the world, tuning your eye to notice shapes, juxtaposition, and patterns. Sketching is known to strengthen focus and strategic thinking, enhance creativity, and improve memory.  Join us for an Intro to Pen Sketching. Adults and kids are welcome, just bring a sketchbook and a pen. Slow River Studio will be on hand to run a lesson on MECT’s picturesque boardwalk and around Heron Pond. Maybe you’ll be inspired to incorporate sketching into a daily diary!

Register here

 

 

 

 

 

Our Annual Appeal is Open Our Board of Trustees is offering a Matching Grant of $25,000 for new annual appeal gifts of $1000 or more.  The 2022 Annual Appeal provides the funding for our operating expenses for 2023. Your gift is vital to our mission. Our small staff of just over two full-time equivalents works hard to make each dollar count! Click here to give your gift today

Did you hear?

After the Zoning Board of Appeals in Manchester denied the permit for the affordable housing at Shingle Place Hill, the applicant appealed the decision to the State Housing Appeals Committee.

Our board of trustees voted unanimously in September to continue our efforts to protect Shingle Place Hill, in coordination with the town of Manchester, and other organizations seeking appropriate affordable housing.