Location: Pingree Woodland, 537 Highland St, South Hamilton (Please park in the school lot)
Join Greenbelt’s Land & Trails Manager, Dave McKinnon, and Neil Shea, Restoration Program Director from the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) for a guided exploration of Hamilton’s fascinating wetland ecosystems.
The Landscape
Traverse a stunning property defined by forested uplands and expansive freshwater wetlands. Our walk will take us along wide, ancient cart paths and glacial eskers—remnants of riverbeds formed by melting glaciers over 10,000 years ago. This area features a significant trail network that connects to the Harvard Forest and the historic 230-mile Bay Circuit Trail.
Nature’s Engineers
Black Brook, a vital tributary of the Ipswich River, flows along the edge of the property. Once a site where Algonquian-speaking Indigenous people trapped for the fur trade, the area now serves as a modern example of coexisting with wildlife.
During the walk, we will:
- Observe active beaver habitats and learn about their role as ecosystem engineers.
- See "beaver deceivers" in action—innovative pipe and fence systems that allow beavers to remain active while managing water levels to prevent flooding.
To ensure a high-quality experience for our guests, this member event utilizes a lottery system.
- How it works: Registration is only open for one week, so please RSVP promptly to express your interest. Attendees will be selected via a random lottery from the pool of registrants once the window closes.
- Waitlist: Those not selected in the initial drawing will be automatically placed on a waitlist and notified if a spot becomes available.