‘Follow a Stream’ Family Activity on May 4
Thanks to Emily Lord for photos of our 'MOOSE-ies for Families' Ponding activity.
On Saturday, May 4, Moose MountainsRegional Greenways (MMRG) will offer a kids’ outdoor discovery activity as partof MMRG’s nature-oriented program for families called ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’. This ‘Follow a Stream’ outing, led by NHCoverts Project volunteer Tom Gardner, will take families on a nature walkalong a stream flowing through the conserved woodlands of Bob and Debbie Leary’sForty to One farm in Farmington.
Gardner has been an active participant in developing MMRG’s ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ program and helped lead the first family snowshoe event last winter. In addition to serving as Pastor at Middleton Gospel Chapel, he teaches the Middleton Nature Club after-school program. He will be assisted by MMRG staff and volunteers.
At a similar event held last spring,kids searched for creatures living in a cupful of pond muck, got to hold a redeft (juvenile salamander), observed a snake, baby turtle, and frog, and discoveredsome of the special plants of springtime. Stephanie Richard, a parent of twochildren participating in last year’s activity, was enthusiastic about it,saying, “I love any event that gets my kids interacting with other kids whilespending time outdoors.
The ‘Follow a Stream’ event is planned for 10 am - 12 pm on Saturday,May 4, with a bad weather date of Sunday, May 5. Children of all ages arewelcome with their families. Dip nets will be available but families shouldbring their own rubber boots, a change of pants and socks, and a snack for thechildren as well as optional buckets for collecting. The outing is free for MMRGmember families (see below) but pre-registration is required. For moreinformation, directions, and to pre-register, call MMRG Education CoordinatorKari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email info@mmrgnh.org.
‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ stands for Members Only Outdoor and Social Events for Families. MMRG’s program of six ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ activities per year creates opportunities for member families to have fun together outdoors while learning about nature, in order to foster future generations of conservationists. New members are welcome with a minimum $25 MMRG membership donation per household per year. Other 2019 ‘MOOSE-ies for Families’ events include a ‘Rail Trail Discovery Walk’ on June 8, the 17th annual Woods, Water & Wildlife Festival on August 10, a ‘Family New Moon Walk’ on September 22 and more. Scholarships are available by inquiring of MMRG Interim Executive Director Dan Coons at (603) 473-2020 or dancoons.mmrg@gmail.com.
The Leary farm will soon have another 63 acres of field and forest protected by a conservation easement in addition to 77 acres already conserved. As a non-profit land trust, MMRG works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Throughout the year, MMRG offers many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region’s natural resources.