Cleanup at Manchester’s Western Woods
Saturday, June 10, 2023 9 am to Noon
Please join us for a cleanup of a section of Manchester’s Western Woods. We’ll be entering from the Beverly town line, but the woodlands and the periphery of the wetlands are located on Manchester-owned property.
The old cart roads used to provide people with access to dump trash in this woodland and wetland area. While the placement of the gates has helped immensely to reduce dumping, we came across loads of trash while we were collecting data to certify vernal pools on the town-owned land. This is not good for the wildlife, nor for our drinking water, hikers and mountain bikers.
This is a cooperative effort with the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Cape Ann Trail Stewards – working together for the health of our environment and enjoyment of our open spaces and recreational trails. The meet-up location will be provided after you register. See you soon!
Please Register Here
Essex in Bloom – Guided Hike in Essex
Saturday, May 20, 2023
9 am to noon
We’re celebrating spring with Essex in Bloom! Join MECT for a guided 5 mile wilderness hike of moderate difficulty through mossy glens, by lichen-covered ledges and across quiet streams. Timing is perfect for blooming ephemerals like lady’s slippers, goldthread and dwarf ginseng. See some of the conservation land that MECT has protected piece by piece over the past 60 years. After the hike, join other Essex in Bloom celebrations at local establishments. So much! So Close!
Please register here
Ye 400 Acres with Jeff Cochand and Anita Brewer
Sat, Apr 8th, 10AM – 11AM
Please register here
Back in 1636, Salem granted 400 acres to 9 “freemen” in Jeffrey’s Creek. This was way out in the boonies, not the highly desirable land near downtown Salem. The 400 acre boundary ran right through what has become Powder House Hill. In 1645, Jeffrey’s Creek was renamed Manchester and the rest is history, well a lot of history. Join us as we traverse the boundary in PHH, now marked by a stone wall, and discuss what we’ve discovered about the entire boundary and Ye 400 Acres.
- Meet at the Scout House, 74 School St, Manchester
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.
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.
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!
|
|
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.