Blog

GBLC Hosts Naturalist Arianna Alexsandra Collins to Teach About Wild Edibles

On Saturday, June 3, Great Barrington Land Conservancy hosted naturalist and wild edibles enthusiast Arianna Alexsandra Collins at Lake Mansfield to teach participants about wild edible and medicinal flora. She covered plants you can find on a lawn such as Plantain, White Clover, Red Clover, and Dandelion.  She also went over shrubs such as Lilac and Multiflora Rose, and wetland plants such as Cattails. Walking into the Conservation Forest we learned about Wood Nettle, Garlic Mustard, Eastern Hemlock, Black Birch, and White Pine. 

GBLC Honors Peter Jensen

Peter S. Jensen is committed to designing and building pedestrian trails which provide safe visitor access while safeguarding the natural, cultural, and historic landscapes. His long history with Great Barrington Land Conservancy, where he served as a Board member, includes trail design and installation at River Walk, the Pfeiffer Arboretum, Lake Mansfield Conservation Forest Trails, and the Riverfront Trail. 

Peter has lead symposiums focused on Trails for All and building sustainable trails. 

2023 River Walk Intern Kaspar Wilder shares Housatonic Sonnet and Blog

A Sonnet for the Housatonic

A blooming dogwood like a blushing bride

Shelters the shaded path to where I stand,

Where a lock and fence modestly hide

The stalwart shed where we serve at the river's command.

An iron hoe to pull up wandering sod,

A paint roller and bucket to color the bridge. 

A patient eye to smooth the path clod by clod, 

An open heart to receive the river's gift. 

Those who came before us failed to understand, 

Those who followed them began the work.

Lake Mansfield - exercise, nature, observation, meditation, poetry!

Daily rambles can be essential to happy days, no matter what the weather! 

This morning, Lily was delighted to find Lake Mansfield Road ready for all walkers to enjoy! 

Later she slipped into the snow-filled forest to enjoy the quiet loveliness! 

Her companion was whispering a poem that makes for a lovely moving meditation: 

 

When All the World is Full of Snow

I never know
Just where to go,
When all the world
Is full of snow.

I do not want
To make a track,
Not even
To the shed and back.