Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

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Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area FLCA is the largest conservation area in Northampton, Mass. It is co-managed by Broad Brook Coalition and the Northampton Conservation Commission.

Fitzgerald Lake is in its finest autumn colors at the moment!
10/14/2026

Fitzgerald Lake is in its finest autumn colors at the moment!

PVMA Walk this Sunday, October 4th at Fitgerald Lake, Northampton MA,with Karen Hildago & Peter Russell. As part of the ...
10/02/2026

PVMA Walk this Sunday, October 4th at Fitgerald Lake, Northampton MA,
with Karen Hildago & Peter Russell.

As part of the Autumn continental BioBlitz the intent is to collect as many interesting specimens as possible for DNA sequencing and recording purposes. This will add to the records we are building of the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. Members of the public are welcome to attend

We will foray from the Cooke Avenue car park starting at 10.15am and continue till 12.15. A map of the conservation area is shown below.

In the original 2026 foray list we asked to meet at 10.00am at Laurel Park’s Normal Hall, but one should go direct to Cooke Avenue. One of us will bring anybody who arrives at Laurel Park over to the Cooke Avenue for 10.15

PVMA walk at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area8th August, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.Meet in Laurel Park’s Normal Hall (see...
08/05/2026

PVMA walk at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

8th August, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Meet in Laurel Park’s Normal Hall (see map)

We will be doing a mycoblitz of FLCA. We will split into teams to foray different parts of the conservation area and then meet back at Laurel Park to consolidate and examine any finds. We intend preserving any interesting finds for DNA barcoding. With the recent rain we are hopeful of finding many fungi
All are welcome to join. We suggest that you bring water, bug/tick repellent, a knife, a collection basket and small paper or waxed bags for specimens, and a small notebook and writing instrument to write down notes about specimens you collect.
Any questions, please contact Peter Russell, 817 550 7227

Next Workday: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald LakeSaturday, July 25th @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am, North Farms Rd. en...
07/22/2026

Next Workday: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

Saturday, July 25th @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am, North Farms Rd. entrance

Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called “pull early, pull often.” In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable for up to ten years on the lake bottom so we are continuing our work again this year. We began pulling in mid-June, and will continue at 3-week intervals throughout the summer. Volunteers should bring their own canoes or kayaks. If interested, contact Tina White by email ([email protected]) or phone (413-341-0240) for further information.

See the BBC website for further workdays:
https://www.broadbrookcoalition.org/upcoming-events/

Follow Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/FitzgeraldLakeConservationArea/

Next Workday: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald LakeSaturday, July 11 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am, North Farms Rd. ent...
07/05/2026

Next Workday: Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

Saturday, July 11 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am, North Farms Rd. entrance

Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called “pull early, pull often.” In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable for up to ten years on the lake bottom so we are continuing our work again this year. We began pulling in mid-June, and will continue at 3-week intervals throughout the summer. Volunteers should bring their own canoes or kayaks. If interested, contact Tina White by email ([email protected]) or phone (413-341-0240) for further information.

See the BBC website for further workdays:
https://www.broadbrookcoalition.org/upcoming-events/

Follow Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/FitzgeraldLakeConservationArea/

A common water snake warming itself on the path at the entrance on North Farms Road
06/27/2026

A common water snake warming itself on the path at the entrance on North Farms Road

Our next walk and talk is 'Learn Your Ferns' with Randy Stone This Saturday, June 27, 10:00 a.m.–noon (rain date Sun., J...
06/23/2026

Our next walk and talk is 'Learn Your Ferns' with Randy Stone

This Saturday, June 27, 10:00 a.m.–noon (rain date Sun., June 28)
at the North Farms Rd. entrance

Ever wonder if you might be susceptible to fernophilia? Join Randy Stone of the Pioneer Valley Fern Society for a walk through the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, finding common ferns and club mosses of our area. Learn the key features for easy identification of our “top 10” native ferns and maybe some uncommon ones too. Start creating a list of ferns of Fitzgerald Lake! Bring a hand lens if you have one. Wear clothing appropriate for possible encounters with poison ivy, insects including ticks, or muddy ground.

BBC’s walk programs are free and open to the public. We ask that you register beforehand, which will allow us to answer any questions and notify you of any changes or cancellations. To sign up for any of the following walks, please send an email to Dave Pritchard at [email protected]

See the BBC website for further walks and workdays:
https://www.broadbrookcoalition.org/upcoming-events/

Follow Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/FitzgeraldLakeConservationArea/

The Wildlife Blind is closed until further notice for safety reasons. A construction crew is being hired to make needed ...
06/16/2026

The Wildlife Blind is closed until further notice for safety reasons. A construction crew is being hired to make needed repairs. Do not try to climb the stairs.

Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald LakeSaturdays: June 20, July 11, July 25, August 15; Sunday, September 13.9:00...
06/16/2026

Removal of Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake

Saturdays: June 20, July 11, July 25, August 15; Sunday, September 13.
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Several years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called “pull early, pull often.” In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake while in 2025 the yield was down to 260 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, water chestnut seeds can remain viable for up to ten years on the lake bottom so we plan to continue our work again this year. We’ll organize crews in late May, begin pulling in mid-June, and continue at 3-week intervals throughout the summer. Volunteers should bring their own canoes or kayaks. If interested, contact Tina White by email ([email protected]) or phone (413-341-0240) for further information.

See the BBC website for further workdays:
https://www.broadbrookcoalition.org/upcoming-events/

Follow Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/FitzgeraldLakeConservationArea/

Invasive Plant Removal in Cooke's Pasture / Sunday, June 7, 9:00 a.m.--noonWe will inspect the two native shrub "islands...
06/03/2026

Invasive Plant Removal in Cooke's Pasture / Sunday, June 7, 9:00 a.m.--noon

We will inspect the two native shrub "islands" in Cooke's Pasture and remove any invasives we find there. These patches provide important habitat for birds, insects, and small mammals. If there's time, we may also work on the glossy buckthorn that is infesting the strip of woods along the marsh. Due to the construction work along Boggy Meadow Rd., you will have to use either the N. Farms Rd. or the Marian St. entrance to get to Cooke's Pasture, a roughly half hour walk from either entrance. We will meet at the dam at 9:30, or in Cooke's Pasture any time after that. Please bring your preferred tools--pruners, loppers, pruning saws, etc., and be prepared for bugs and ticks.

Contact Tom Annese for more info: [email protected].

See the BBC website for further workdays:
https://www.broadbrookcoalition.org/upcoming-events/

Follow Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/FitzgeraldLakeConservationArea/

Address

North Farms Road
Florence, MA
01062

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