To the Editor,
Manchester Essex Conservation Trust is celebrating 60 years of forests and wetlands in Manchester-by-the-Sea and Essex, and we couldn’t be prouder of how much our protected land has grown! As your hyper-local conservation trust, serving only these two communities, we strive to conserve these natural spaces for you to seek tranquility, connection, invigoration, and wonder; we’re always looking for new ways to deepen our appreciation for these special places.
Last weekend we kicked off our Fall Hike Series with an ambitious five-mile trek, and we’re ready for more! Every weekend until mid-November we’ll be offering a different opportunity to get out in nature and enjoy the season. Want to go leaf peeping? There’s a hike for that! Want to hear some local history? We’ve got that covered too, dedicate our Founders Boardwalk with us and hear about the founders of MECT and their vision to conserve wild spaces! Interested in learning about cryptogams (plants that reproduce without flowers or seeds!)? Bring your magnifying glass because we’ve got two hikes that encourage you to stop to observe and appreciate the mosses, lichens and liverworts. Do you know how to use a compass? Our local Boy Scouts do, and they want to teach you orienteering! Want to learn more about Shingle Place Hill and why it’s so important for our local ecosystem? This weekend’s hike, from the White Cedars to the Cathedral Pines, will be covering that!
A lot of our hikes will be hitting our 60 Places, our curated list of favorites by our trustees in celebration of our 60th anniversary. We’ve loved hearing your comments about your explorations through MECT’s 60 years, and we hope you’ll join us for more.
Check out our upcoming hikes and register online so we know who’s coming and can communicate any directions or changes. Contact us at conserve@mect.org to learn more about the latest concerning Shingle Place Hill or to walk the trails with us. Remember, hunting is in season, be sure to wear blaze orange when you’re out there exploring; be safe, be seen.
We can’t wait to see you on the trails!
Patrice Murphy
Manchester Essex Conservation Trust
