In Winter, Stewardship Focuses on Public Access, Planning for Spring

There is no “typical” winter for the Stewardship team, so being able to adapt quickly to weather changes is essential. “Last winter was very mild and we were able to do more fieldwork,” says Dave Rimmer, Director of Stewardship. “This year, we’ve had regular snowfall since early January, so our top priority has been plowing the parking lots of 38 public properties and ensuring safe access for staff and visitors to Cox Reservation — Greenbelt’s headquarters.”

When the weather has allowed, the Stewardship team has also been hard at work clearing, mapping, and marking trails at various locations. They’re also actively preparing for the upcoming openings of two new properties: DeNormandie Woods in Gloucester and Manchester, and Viburnum Woods in Haverhill. In addition, preparations for Greenbelt’s community garden season and the Osprey Program are well underway. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the team is focused on equipment maintenance and a variety of indoor projects that will help streamline operations when warmer weather returns.