Arlington Land Trust

Protecting Open Spaces in Arlington

Past Events

Remembering Brian Rehrig

Brian Rehrig at an ALT Fun Day 2017
Brian helps out with taking visitors to Elizabeth Island during Spy Pond Fun Day in September 2017. Among his many contributions, Brian was instrumental in organizing the Campaign to Protect Elizabeth Island and the Land Trust’s 2010 purchase of the island for conservation and public enjoyment.

We are deeply saddened to report that Brian Rehrig passed away on January 21 after a long illness.

Celebrating Brian Rehrig on April 10

Brian was one of a small group who established the Land Trust in 1999 and he served as the treasurer and guiding light for more than 20 years. It is impossible to recount all the wisdom and expertise that he contributed to this organization, and to the promotion of land conservation and community service in Arlington and beyond. 

Brian Rehrig
Brian Rehrig

We have lost a dear friend and advocate for open space preservation. Recently Brian focused tirelessly on efforts to protect the open space and wetlands on the Mugar property in East Arlington.

The Rehrig family has suggested that donations in Brian’s memory be made to the Arlington Land Trust Mugar Protection Fund. Those wishing to make a memorial donation will find the fund on the Join/Donate page. 

Brian’s obituary and other information are posted at rehrigs.com.

Spy Pond Scavenger Hunts

Since the annual Spy Pond Park Fun Day had to be cancelled this year, the Friends of Spy Pond Park created two activities that families, teenagers and adults can do while wearing masks and staying socially distanced in and near Spy Pond Park.

A Public Art Hunt is fun for all ages including preschoolers. Click here for the images of 7 pieces of public art in Spy Pond Park and the bike path above it.

The History Mysteries Hunt uses QR codes to take you around the park to find out what was happening around Spy Pond in the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s, late 1900s and today. All you have to do is point your smartphone camera at the codes. Click here for the first clue to get you started.

Fall Volunteer Projects

After a hot, dry summer, many of our parks and conservation lands are in need of TLC before fall and winter weather sets in. Following are some scheduled clean-ups and stewardship projects that would appreciate volunteer assistance.

Arlington Reservoir Clean-up

Saturday, September 26,
9 am – 12 noon

The Arlington Reservoir Committee has scheduled a clean-up of the Wildlife Habitat Garden and surrounding areas of the Reservoir off Lowell Street. Bring your own tools (such as wheelbarrow, rakes, spades, loppers, clippers, gloves, etc.) and help tame the overgrown grasses and invasive plants in and around the garden. Members of the committee will be on hand to direct newcomers and welcome veteran volunteers to help prepare the garden for the winter.

Arlington’s Great Meadows
Boardwalk Repair

Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows is organizing boardwalk repair activities during September. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and construction requirements, the Friends have assembled all the needed materials and have prepared an instructional video. You will be guided on what tools to bring with you and asked to form small teams of family or friends to work together. To learn more about how to participate in these boardwalk repair projects, email David White. 

Note that demolition work at the former nursing home next to Arlington’s Great Meadows in East Lexington is about half done, and currently there is no AGM access from that property. Instead, follow a nearby access path about halfway behind the Emerson Gardens complex off Maple Street in Lexington. It’s marked with an AGM post and a no dumping sign. Please park on the main Emerson Gardens Road, not in the resident parking areas. Alternatively, you can park behind the Waldorf School on Mass Ave. in East Lexington or follow the Minuteman Bikeway to AGM.

Spy Pond Park Work Day

Saturday, October 17, 8-10 am
(rain date Sunday, October 18,
8-10 am)

The Friends of Spy Pond Park will hold their final work day of 2020 to undertake such tasks as removing grass between the cobblestones lining the path through the park and weeding the planting beds, pulling invasive plants, picking up litter, and grooming the tot lot. Meet near the boat ramp at 40 Pond Lane.
Volunteers must register in advance and liability waivers are required for all participants. Please download the waiver form from the FSPP website, fill it out completely, sign it (parental signature for under 18 yrs.), and send a scan or photo of it to fspp@friendsofspypondpark.org by 6 p.m. the Friday before the scheduled Work Day.

The Quabbin Reservoir and Beyond – Presentation March 15

Note: The talk on Quabbin Reservoir scheduled for Sunday, March 15, is being cancelled by the Lexington Cary Library in the interest of public health.  3/11/2020

Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 2:30pm

Land and Water: The Quabbin Reservoir and Beyond

Presented by Leigh Youngblood, Executive Director, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust

Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington

The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts, and is the primary water supply for 40+ communities in Greater Boston. Leigh Youngblood, will give a presentation on the construction of the reservoir, the four lost towns of the Quabbin Reservoir (Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott) and the land, water, wildlife, and people that persevere there today. 

Many individuals living in the greater North Quabbin region, where Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust conserves and stewards land, have parents who experienced the relocation, keeping the legacy very much alive today. Constant encounters with landowners, foresters, biologists, surveyors, historians, artists, anglers, poets, and others inform a balanced perspective between the practical and the personal. This talk is co-sponsored by the Lexington Field & Garden Club.

2020 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference – March 28

Note: The Mass Land Conservation Conference in Worcester on Saturday, March 28, is being cancelled due to the coronavirus emergency. 3/11/2020

Saturday, March 28, 2020, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

2020 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference

The Climate’s Future is in Our Lands

Worcester Technical High School, One Skyline Drive, Worcester, MA

Registration is open, with early-bird rates til March 9! Sign up now. 

Keynote Address by Jad Daley, President and CEO of American Forests. Learn more about Mr. Daley here.

Exhibitor Opportunities

Showcase your business or organization before a sophisticated and engaged audience of over 500 conservation professionals by booking an Exhibitor table! Exhibitor registration deadline is Monday, March 9.  Details here.

Calling Volunteers

This conference wouldn’t be possible without the help of many volunteers before, during and after the event. Sign up to volunteer here. 

Spotlight Your Conservation Work

If you’d like to share a slide about one of your successes over the past year, please send a PowerPoint slide to masslandconference@gmail.com

Workshop Descriptions

Read the full list of the workshops at the MassLand Conference here.

Speaker Bios

Our conference presenters volunteer their time and expertise to help further conservation in the Commonwealth. Read their bios here.