What’s cheaper than a gym membership (in fact it’s free!), great exercise, dispels loneliness, happens out-of-doors, is a way to meet neighbors and friends, teaches us more about the beauty that surrounds us, and helps ensure that places we love and share will be here for the generations that follow us? Stewardship!

On Wednesday, August 11, from 9-11:30AM, join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director and naturalist Lynne Flaccus for a Stewardship morning in the Brown Lot across the road from Chocorua Lake—meet at the Island public beach parking area at Chocorua Lake on Route 16 in Chocorua. The Brown Lot has a small field we are managing for wildlife that we mow annually, a small forest opening on a 150-acre reserve. To help our wonderful volunteer who mows for us, we’ll be working to clear the edges of low-hanging branches and saplings.

Come help us in this effort and learn about field habitat for birds, and shrub, tree and invasive plant identification. We’ll also learn about wildlife brush piles—how to take what we’ve cut and create “homes” for wildlife at the edges of the fields. Bring work gloves and your favorite clippers or hand saw if you have them, water and a snack. We will have some tools available if needed. Be prepared for bugs and ticks just in case. If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are less than two weeks from your last shot, please bring a mask for moments when social distancing is not possible. Feel free to come for all or some of the morning. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your phone number to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any changes in the schedule.

Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has 30+ years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.

Banner image: Some of our wonderful volunteer stewards holding twisting bittersweet vines. Photo: Lynne Flaccus