Upton Land Stewardship Committee
Mission: Assist the Conservation Commission with the management of Town of Upton Conservation Lands and other town-owned land managed by the Conservation Commission at the request of the Board of Selectmen.
Organization: The Upton Land Stewardship Committee (ULSC) will be a subcommittee of the Upton Conservation Commission. Voting members of the ULSC shall be recommended by the Upton Conservation Commission and appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The committee shall consist of between 3 and 7 voting members. Others may participate as volunteers without appointments. The committee shall elect a Chairman and Secretary and may appoint land-stewards responsible for management of specific parcels. The ULSC may appoint a Trails Group leader and a Community Garden leader. Land-stewards, Trails Group leaders and Community Garden leaders may also be Board of Selectmen appointed members of the Land Stewardship Committee.
Established: By a unanimous vote of the Upton Conservation Commission on February 22, 2006.
Meetings: The Land Stewardship Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month in the Gathering Room at Nipmuc Regional High School at 7:30 pm.
Responsibilities:
The ULSC shall:
- Prepare management plans for conservation areas and other land managed by the Conservation Commission. Draft management plans require public review and approval by Conservation Commission.
- Implement management plans. Activities include, but are not limited to: trail construction and maintenance; habitat protection and enhancement; erosion control, invasive species control; installation of signs, trails, and boundary markers; natural history studies; forest management (including fuelwood cuts); clean-ups; and periodic inspections.
- Prepare trail maps, guide books, and material for the Town of Upton web site to foster public use and enjoyment of managed lands.
- Educate the public regarding Town of Upton Land Use Regulations.
- Report issues and problems to the appropriate Town officials.
- Co-Sponsor nature walks and other public education events.
- Hold regular (at least monthly) posted public meetings.
- Maintain meeting minutes and submit minutes to the Town Clerk and the Conservation Commission.
- Prepare a yearly report summarizing committee activities for inclusion in the Annual Town Report.
- Maintain a web-page on the town web-site
The Committee:
Marcella Stasa-Chairperson
mstasa@charter.net
508 529-3709
Tom Dodd
Scott Heim
Mike Penko -Secretary
Cathy Taylor
Community Garden
In 2009 the Upton Land Stewardship Committee established an organic, pesticide-free community garden at the Former Stefans Farm Parcel. Plots are awarded to Upton residents by lottery with plots designated for handicapped individuals, community groups wishing to raise produce for food pantries, senior residents (65 and over) and the general public with additional general plots available if the first three categories are not assigned.
Interested residents may contact Marcella Stasa at mstasa@charter.net or 508-529-3709. Send your name, address, phone number and the category you best fit.
There is no charge, but help with the construction and preparation of the raised beds is welcome. We are also looking for donations of compost, manure and topsoil. Please contact Marcella Stasa if you can contribute.
The ULSC Community Garden leader(s) shall:
- Advertise availability of plots to Upton residents
- Gather names for the lottery
- Confirm who will be re-using their plot(s)
- Assign lottery winners to remaining available plots
- Update liability waiver/contract
- Make sure all gardeners have signed liability waiver/contract
- Meet with new gardeners if they need assistance
- Prepare the water collection system
- Supervise building of additional plots and repairs to fence, shed etc
- Coordinate manure/compost deliveries
- Make sure plots are being used –if unused, reassign them
- Arrange for volunteers to mow
- Monitor any problems
- Put away water collection barrel
- Make sure beds are cleaned up at the end of the season
- Keep in touch with the gardeners via e-mail throughout the season (some do not have e-mail, so phone contact or a mailing is occasionally needed)
Trails Group
In 2011 a Trails Group was formed to place trail related activities under dedicated supervision of a ULSC member. The ULSC continues to take an active role in the development of trails and the related tasks
The ULSC Trails Group shall:
- Raise awareness of Upton’s trails.
- Raise funds and recruit volunteers.
- Work with private landowners to secure permanent trail easements.
- Create a master plan for a Town-wide trail system.
- Inventory and, where needed, map existing trails. Publish maps.
- Connect Upton’s trails to trails in the surrounding communities.
- Build new trails. Monitor trail conditions and maintain trails, trailheads, parking areas and signage.
- Create accessible trails where possible.
- Create trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
- Build user groups.
- Investigate old roads to determine whether they are town-owned or privately held and whether they can be used for trails.
- Co-ordinate efforts with other trail organizations, including Mass DCR, the National Park Service, and the Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor. Volunteer to help other organizations with their trail efforts and seek assistance from them for Upton’s trail efforts.
- Connect Upton’s trail to trails in surrounding communities.
- Inventory items of natural and cultural significance.
- Create interpretative materials that help people learn about nature and history.
- Publicize trails in newspapers, magazines, on-line and at public events.
- Educate trail users on the proper use of trails and trail building
Mission Statement revised and approved by the Upton Conservation Commission May 11, 2011
|