Here’s the notice from Anne-Marie Lambert, who leads poetry-themed nature walks in Belmont, MA
She writes:
I invite you to join me for a guided walk through Rock Meadow in Belmont on Saturday November 30, 2019, 10:00-noon, with special guest Daniel Hudon, who will read stories from his book of stories, Brief Eulogies for Lost Animals: An Extinction Reader. It’s a great way to give thanks over the holiday weekend for the birds and animals and habitat who visit or reside in the beautiful habitat at Rock Meadow.
This Saturday’s walk is a special event for “Remembrance Day for Lost Species,” an annual day (November 30) started a few years ago by artists in London “to explore the stories of extinct and critically endangered species, cultures, lifeways and ecological communities.” This year’s theme is “Original Names”. Participants are invited to share thoughts, poems and stories of local indigenous peoples and of non-humans past or present.
So, come reconnect with the land and water in our town as creatures who are still with us scurry or migrate to prepare for colder weather. Hear lyrical stories about species who used to live in or migrate through New England, including the Carolina Parakeet, Passenger Pigeon, Heath Hen and Urania Sloanus, as well as the Eskimow Curlew and Labrador Duck.
This walk is sponsored by the Belmont Citizens Forum, whose mission includes promoting interest in the preservation and protection of environmental resources and educating the public and community leaders about the environmental importance of open space.
Lost Species Nature Walk at Rock Meadow
What: Learn about Rock Meadow and pay tribute to Lost Species as we visit Beaver Brook and stop along a one-mile nature trail.
When: 10:00-12:00 Saturday November 30, 2019
Where: Meet at the small Rock Meadow parking lot on Mill Street. Bike racks are available. Address: Rock Meadow Conservation Area, Belmont, MA
Parking: There is a second parking lot across the street at Lone Tree Hill conservation area. Please carpool if you can.
Who: Anne-Marie Lambert has been leading local nature walks and writing Newsletter articles about Belmont history and stormwater for the Belmont Citizens Forum.
Originally from Canada, Daniel Hudon is a Boston resident and part-time lecturer in astronomy, math and physics. He writes prose and poetry about science, travel and nature and his recent book about the extinction crisis, “Brief Eulogies for Lost Animals: An Extinction Reader” was named a Must Read in this year’s Mass Book Awards.
Bring/Wear: closed shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and, optionally, a walking stick for uneven terrain.
Rain: Only thunderstorms will cancel.
Trail Map: Rock Meadow Map (park by the Mill Street Information Kiosk)
RSVP: an email reply if you are likely to come would be appreciated but is not required
More information:
Lost Species Day: https://www.lostspeciesday.org/
Daniel Hudon: danielhudon.com.
Rock Meadow:
– Rock Meadow Conservation Master Plan, including steps to encourage inviting habitat for certain types of birds.
– Developing a Conservation Master Plan for Rock Meadow by Jeffrey North (Sept/Oct 2018)
– Rock Meadow: Past and Future by Margaret Velie (May/June 2001)
– Belmont Highlights Natural, Historic Treasures by Mary Bradley (Sep/Oct 2019), including Anne-Marie’s October 2019 walk at Rock Meadow
– Belmont Journal video interview about the master plan: bit.ly/BJour-RockMeadow
Belmont Citizens Forum: www.belmontcitizensforum.org