JULY 2020 update
Guided Hikes
Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel all WRLF guided hikes for the remainder of year. We hope to restore the popular guided hikes series in 2021. In the meantime, continue to look for emails from WRLF containing hike descriptions from our trip leaders.
Volunteering on trails
WRLF’s Lands and Trails Coordinator, Dan Gura, and Trails Committee chair, Cosmo Catalano, will be leading occasional volunteer days to conduct trail maintenance for the remainder of the summer. Please send an email to Dan at: trails@wrlf.org if you are interested in volunteering. Participants must adhere to the following guidelines:
– Preregistration required with phone and email for contact tracing
– No COVID-19 symptoms
– No travel outside of RI, CT, VT, NH, ME, NY, NJ during past two weeks
– Must socially distance during activity unless with family members or in a shared 14-day ‘pod’
– Bring own: Face covering, Food, Water, Gloves, Hand Sanitizer
– No sharing of tools on the job
Education programs
The status of fall class field trips to Sheep Hill has yet to be determined. We are waiting to hear from local elementary school teachers to see if field trips will be happening this fall.
With the end of half-day Wednesdays at Williamstown Elementary this fall, the Woodchuck Wednesdays program is done in its current form. The WRLF Education Committee and the WRLF Education Coordinator will consider new program alternatives for 2021.
WRLF office and buildings at Sheep Hill
The WRLF office and nature cabin at Sheep Hill will remain closed to the public. Staff will be present at the office Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. The door will remain locked, but please knock if you need to speak to us. Starting Friday, July 24, the barns and interpretive exhibits at Sheep Hill will be open to the public. Please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face mask around all buildings on the Sheep Hill campus.
WRLF conservation properties
All WRLF conservation properties remain open to the public for passive recreational uses. If the parking lot at a trailhead is full, consider taking a hike elsewhere or returning at a later time. Out of consideration, please don a face mask when you come upon other hikers, and maintain social distancing while on the trail.
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MARCH 2020. Social distancing is hard, but we are doing our part to comply. The WRLF office is now closed until further notice. Our Woodchuck Wednesdays program slated to start on April 8 has been cancelled. We will miss the springtime energy and laughter of children on our grounds. Likewise, the April Vacation program, Repair Café, and Sheep to Shawl have also been cancelled. Decisions on the WRLF annual meeting in May will be forthcoming.
Although our office at Sheep Hill is closed, our properties are not. We ask that you interpret Governor Baker’s stay at home advisory for yourself and make the best decision for you, your family, and the community. If you do visit a WRLF property, please practice social distancing on the trails, at the parking lot, and around kiosks. We hope you benefit from the restorative power of nature wherever you find it.
WRLF depends on its members to support our efforts in land conservation, public access to the outdoors, and nature education programs. Please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership by making a contribution here. Thank you.
Check back here for more updates in the near future. Hang in there!