Just a quick update and thanks to many of you who have helped the past two years with Dug Pond and the Island (aka "Blueberry" or " Boy Scout" Island): Encouraging news: • The island is gorgeous with wonderful understory, lots of wild blueberry bushes, mosses, diverse woods, and a huge red-tail hawk's nest on the northwest tip. • The hard core party people are getting almost all of their bottles / cans and trash into the barrels and bins. Worrisome issues: • Evidence of fires • Girdling of birch trees • Lots of drinking (I carried out 3 large bags of beer bottles/cans and a bag of trash) • Terrible erosion beneath the rope swings... But don't get discouraged. We're making progress, and yet lots of work to do. The Natick HS Earth Club has been a terrific supporter and friend of our efforts the past two years. In addition to some of the BHLF Trail Buddies and family members, we've recruited new neighbors, Sound and Spirit (the wonderful new and multigenerational local chorus), and members of some of the faith-based communities (Common St. Church, Natick Congregational and St. Paul's Episcopal) to help. We hope that a couple of teachers at Natick HS will also use the Pond and Island for study and environmental restoration projects. According to Doug Milch, Earth Club Advisor and NOVA Teacher, some have expressed an interest. Join us in the struggle. We're talking about one of the most exquisite waterways and woodlands in eastern Massachusetts. Thanks, Pat
