Norcross Wildlife Foundation

10/26/2026

Join us at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation on October 28th, from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. for this year’s annual LaFond Oak Forest Program, in memory of Richard E. LaFond, donor of the LaFond Oak Forest parcel in Monson and in honor of the Eugene W. LaFond and Helen M. LaFond Endowment.

On this hike, you will be guided through stunning parts of the property that are rarely open to the public. This generous donation by the LaFond estate has aided Norcross in preserving this land as valuable, connected, habitat for many species of wildlife, supporting our school education programs as well as promoting public walks as this one!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2026 LAFONDE WALK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/shttgrk

10/23/2026

Reshaping the Watershed with Linda Hutchins is happening tomorrow! Join us and our partners at Mass Audubon for the second installment of the Vinica Brook Restoration Seminar Series!

This event is completely free and open to the public, with options to join both virtually and in person!

Let us know you are coming (and more information on how to join virtually) HERE -> https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cax77z2

In the second installment of our Vinica Brook seminar series, explore the how restoration sciences and hydrology go hand in hand with Linda Hutchins (Senior Restoration Ecologist, Mass Audubon) at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. Join us on October 24th, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm to learn about how tearing down and improving these man made structures will help bring balance back to a watershed.

After an lecture, join Linda and Norcross staff for a guided walk to visit impoundments and culverts that will be taken down during the restoration efforts.

Click this link to RSVP (RSVP not required to join):
https://forms.gle/ucLeNrc9tmr3ZGrR7

Click this link to join the seminar VIRTUALLY: https://calendar.app.google/6LkdTUZyHgr3o8GGA

10/18/2026

Thanks for hosting us! It was great to see so many people get excited about insects 🪲

We can't wait to see the folks at Jacob Edwards Library again this November!

10/16/2026

In the second installment of our Vinica Brook seminar series, explore the how restoration sciences and hydrology go hand in hand with Linda Hutchins (Senior Restoration Ecologist, Mass Audubon) at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. Join us on October 24th, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm to learn about how tearing down and improving these man made structures will help bring balance back to a watershed.

After an lecture, join Linda and Norcross staff for a guided walk to visit impoundments and culverts that will be taken down during the restoration efforts.

Click this link to RSVP (RSVP not required to join):
https://forms.gle/ucLeNrc9tmr3ZGrR7

Click this link to join the seminar VIRTUALLY: https://calendar.app.google/6LkdTUZyHgr3o8GGA

10/13/2026

What a wonderful weekend! Here at Norcross, we were pleased to host Liz Ives of the New England Botanical Garden for a natural dye workshop! Our participants were able to take part in every step of the natural dye process, including the identification, harvesting, and processing of flowers (Solidago, more commonly known as Goldenrod) and nuts (Black Walnut and Shagbark Hickory) to create beautifully vibrant dyes.

A big thank you to everyone who came, and we hope that this will kickstart a journey into the vibrant world of natural dyes!

10/05/2026

(7 SPOTS LEFT) Our Natural Dye Workshop is back on!

Join Liz Ives from the New England Botanical Garden on October 10th, from 10 am to 3pm, for an amazing, hands on workshop on how to harvest, process, and dye with plants you can find in the Massachusetts Landscape!

All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join. This workshop is completely free and open to the public! However, to ensure that everyone the best time possible, we are limiting this workshop to 15 seats.

If you plan on attending this workshop, please RSVP with us below!

https://forms.gle/DEoSBCyJie8WQQZi9

09/29/2026

As the weather starts to cool, fall is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy your local natural landscape! Whether you're hiking or hunting, remember that as you head into the woods that fall is also a major season for Deer tick activity!

Deer ticks (Ixodes Scalpularis) are infamous for being carriers of Lyme disease. But Lyme disease is more than just ticks. Tick populations and disease risk are connected to the entire ecosystem, including deer, mice, acorn crops, forest biodiversity, climate, and changing seasonal conditions.

Check out our infographic below to learn more about Lyme disease and the ecosystem behind tick populations in Massachusetts!

09/28/2026

Join us and Opacum Land Trust on October 3rd, 2026 for a hands-on workshop on native edible nuts!

We'll start with an introduction and tour of the native edible nuts on the Norcross property, and throughout the day we'll learn to identify, harvest, and process these amazing plants!

This workshop is completely FREE, however, to ensure that everyone gets the best experience possible, we are capping the workshop at 15 attendants. To secure your spot, please RSVP!

Copy this link into your browser, or scan the QR code on our flyer to sign up!:

https://forms.gle/qt9QRBVj2BqJNcnY9

The google form is set to close at 15 responses. If you have trouble accessing the form, this means the class has filled up! When this happens, we will start a waitlist google form!

09/24/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Worcester State University's Entomology (BI-301) course for a day of entomological sampling. The students surveyed and captured various types of arthropods and arachnids, with the primary focus of working on their field identification skills and proper collection protocols. Their observations will also contribute to baseline data on the property’s invertebrate diversity. Field surveys like this are especially valuable to us this year as we prepare for upcoming habitat management and restoration work.

It was great to see students in the field, as opportunities like this give students the chance to move beyond the classroom and experience what biological fieldwork looks like. Experiences like this help to prepare the next generation of ecologists, biologists, entomologists, and conservationists with the opportunity to participate in real ecological monitoring while they are still developing their skills! We are thankful for our growing connection with the central MA community, and after this great experience we hope to see WSU back here at Norcross again!

09/18/2026

Unfortunately, we have had to POSTPONE our natural dyes workshop! We will be hosting it on October 10th, 2026 form 10 am to 3 pm.

Thank you for your understanding!