Friends of Willard Brook ready for upcoming hikes

Hike Mt. Watatic Trails with Bill Stanwood - Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.

Hike about five miles and two hours in Bill's "backyard" as you explore some of the northern trails of Watatic including parts of the Wapack Trail. Reach the state line and find the nearby monument. Learn about area history. Enjoy the views and pick out landmarks from the summit. Hike starts on Bennett Road in Ashby.

Directions: Take 119W through Ashby center. Just beyond the Ashburnham town line, take a right onto Pillsbury Road, and then a left onto Bennett Road. Hike starts approximately mile up Bennett Road. Call Stanwood for more information at (978) 386-5692 evenings.

Nashua River Rail Trail Invasive Species Inventory with Peter Alden - Sunday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Join Peter Alden, author, naturalist and founder of MA Biodiversity Days as he explores wildlife from Ayer to Groton along the Nashua River Rail Trail during the height of the foliage season. In addition to a leisurely inventory of presence and quantity of invasive species along this stretch of the rail trail, we will also identify native plants, birds and whatever else we come across. We will walk at a slow pace, stopping frequently to record locations of invasive species. Bring binoculars, water and a snack or lunch. Peter will have copies of his field guide of New England available to purchase. This event is wheelchair-friendly. Meet at the rail trail parking lot in Ayer center. Call Emily Norton for more information at (978) 597-3553.

Hike in Willard Brook State Forest - Sunday, Oct. 29, 9 - 11 a.m.

Hike in Willard Brook State Forest with Alan Ewald, Ashby resident, president of Ashby Land Trust, and member of Friends of Willard Brook. Meet at the dead-end of Fort Hill Rd in Ashby. The hike will be a loop including a part of the Friends trail and a transit of the Joseph property added to Willard Brook State Forest in June. Dogs are welcome if they can be leashed. Call Alan for more information at (978) 386-2269.

- Submitted to The Journal