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Correspondent HAMPDEN Nature enthusiasts will once again be able to navigate their way through 356 acres of forest, meadow and wetlands when the grand re-opening of Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary takes place Sept. 27. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned at 11:45 a.m. with a host of Mass Audubon representatives, and an afternoon full of family activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered to visitors including apples, snacks, beverages and cake. Laughing Brook's sanctuary is conveniently located off Main Street in the Scantic River watershed. Visitors will find the former home of children's author and naturalist Thornton W. Burgess, four miles of walking trails and the chance to see wildlife, including fishers, warblers, thrushes, various reptiles and amphibians. "We welcome the community to join us for the very special celebration, as we could not have accomplished this without their support, volunteerism and membership dollars," said Mary Shanley-Koeber, who serves as the sanctuary director for Connecticut Valley River Sanctuaries. Shanley-Koeber noted during an interview with Reminder Publications that Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. "Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 33,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually and advocate for sound environmental policies at the local, state and federal levels," she added. In addition to the nature-related stories, games and mystery corner events planned during the grand re-opening, guided tours will be given by Patti Steinman, education coordinator of the Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, and a team of volunteers who are citizen environmental educators. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and participate in the Teddy Bear Picnic at noon. As part of the fun, children are welcome to bring their favorite stuffed toy to join in the festivities. "Laughing Brook is a gem in the Mass Audubon sanctuary system," said Shanley-Koeber, adding, "its streams and forests are excellent examples of habitat." Shanley-Koeber noted that what makes Laughing Brook "unique" is it is so accessible. "We restored the parking and what is now the Mort and Helen Trail so it is easily managed by baby carriages or wheelchairs," she said, adding, "because of the combination of habitats in such a small area, the visitor can see wildlife up close." For visitors, Shanley-Koeber hopes the most poignant aspect of Laughing Brook is the literary connection. It was the home of Thornton Burgess, the acclaimed children's author. Burgess' writing studio used to overlook the Laughing Brook. "Thornton Burgess was inspired by this particular piece of land," she said. "He was one of the first and one of the most talented teacher naturalists to write children's nature-related literature. He was ahead of his time and he was one of the best." Shanley-Koeber also noted that a new visitor orientation panel will be installed for the grand re-opening, with a narrative about Burgess, the land itself, what a visitor might expect to see and an artist's rendering of the new trail map. "Many local people will remember Mort and Helen Bates, a wonderful couple who set the standard for citizen conservation as volunteers for Laughing Brook and beyond in the community," said Shanley-Koeber. "The trail that leads past the pavilion on the pond is named for them." For the past four years, Laughing Brook has been plagued with natural disasters including severe flooding, as well as a being a victim of arson, but that hasn't stopped the many volunteers, donors and members who wanted to bring the sanctuary back to its former beauty. "One thing that remains the same is Mass Audubon's commitment to preserving nature, advocating for the environment and delivering programs to educate our children on the importance of our environment," said Shanley-Koeber. There is no admission fee on the day of the opening, and then a trail fee of $3 will be charged for adult non-members, $2 for children ages three to 12, and seniors. Admission is free to Mass Audubon members. "There will be a special on membership during the grand opening if newcomers want to try it out," said Shanley-Koeber, noting that membership includes 45 Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries across the state. For more information on the grand re-opening or on Mass Audubon programs, call (800) 283-8266. | ||||||
