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A Bear Just Knows - By Maggie Downey and Matthew MacDonald | A Bear Just Knows

Authors Maggie Downey and Matthew MacDonald wrote this story in memory of their nephew Avi, who was stillborn in 2023. A Bear Just Knows is a tale of wisdom disguised as a children’s book.

Wildlands Trust

Founded in 1973, Wildlands Trust is one of the largest and oldest regional land trusts in Massachusetts. With numerous preserves spread primarily across southeastern Massachusetts, Wildlands Trust is working to ensure the protection of 8,500 acres of natural and agricultural lands. Photos from Wildlands Trust preserves with particular focus on the Striar Conservancy in Halifax, WillowBrook Farm Pembroke, Great River Preserve Bridgewater, and Tucker in Pembroke. Also information on the Wildlands Trust Adopt-A-Preserve volunteer program.

Wildlands Trust Photos

Photos from Wildlands Trust preserves around the the South Shore.

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Indian Head River Trail System

In 2018, a 3-year Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Recreational Trails Program grant was awarded to what is now known as 'The Indian Head River Trail Alliance' to expand and improve the Indian Head River trail system. This alliance is composed of Wildlands Trust, The North South River Watershed Association, Town of Hanover, Town of Hanson, Town of Pembroke, and Plymouth County.

Following completion of this work in late 2021, the area now has over six and a half continuous miles of trail, connecting 325 acres of conservation land along the Indian Head and North rivers. The neighboring trail systems of Wildlands Trust’s Tucker Preserve, Hanover’s Chapmans Landing - Iron Mine Brook, and the Mattakeeset Trail are now linked with the Indian Head River Trail, offering one complete loop of these conservation properties.

The North South River Watershed Association is now leading the effort to remove two dams on the IHR as steps in bringing this river back to it's natural state.

https://www.nsrwa.org/indian-head-river-restoration-project-update/

Indian Head River Photos

Photos included in this gallery were all taken along the Indian Head River between Chapman's Landing and State Street in Hanson. Also included are some historical photos that give a glimpse into the industrial history along this scenic stretch of the river.

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Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area

This area was once known as the Great Cedar Swamp until lumber, industrial, and agricultural endeavors transformed the landscape to what we see today. After all of the cedar trees had been harvested, Albert C. Burrage purchased sections of this area in the early 1900’s and built a large factory on a 40 acre site at what is now the corner of Pleasant and Hawkes Ave. This industrial complex consisted of 4 factory buildings, offices, workers homes as well as a small hotel. After a large fire in 1919, the factory was closed and next came large scale cranberry farming which continued till 2002 when the property (1600+ acres) was purchased by the Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. Mass WMAs are public areas that are protected to provide habitat for wildlife and to give people a place to explore wild Massachusetts. These lands are free and open to the public for walking, hiking, hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. Any trails through the properties are unmarked and parking lots are usually not paved.

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Birds

Bird photos are divided between two categories, terrestrial and Pelagic/water birds.

Photos broken into two categories, terrestrial and pelagic.
The pelagic shots were taken mostly on Stellwagen Bank as well as the Canadian Maritimes.
Terrestrial shots taken in New England, Canadian Maritimes, and western US.

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Vernal Pools at Striar Conservancy

Vernal Pool observations from the Wildlands Trust Striar Conservancy in Halifax, MA.

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Striar Vernal Pools 2025

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Hanson, MA 02341

Several photo galleries broken out into the following categories which includes The Last Meadows Hiking Trails, Wild Hanson, Around Town, Various Hanson Conservation properties.

Photos from around the town of Hanson

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Places

White Mountains, Canadian Maritimes, Quebec & Western US.

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Norway and the Lofotens

Many of these photos were taken while on board the Hurtigruten Kong Harald, also known as the coastal express. We boarded the ship in Bergen and disembarked at Svolvaer on the Lofotens. Photos are in no particular order.

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Nature

Flower and plants, Bugs, Creatures, Vernal Pools, and River Herring.

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Stellwagen Bank

Photos from Stellwagen Bank National Marine sanctuary.

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Mushrooms & Fungi

The vast majority of these photos were taken on Wildlands Trust properties, in particular, Emery East in Plymouth, Striar Conservancy in Halifax and Tucker Preserve in Pembroke. Also includes photos taken at Myles Standish State forest in Plymouth, Ma.

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