Please join us for a walk and talk to learn more about the cultural history of the Montague Plains area and the Pine Barrens restoration project at Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area ( WMA) . The MWA covers 1,500 acres and is managed by the MA Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Date:Â Saturday, October 26th, 2024Â 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Topic: Cultural History of the Montague Plains area and the Pine Barrens restoration project at Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area.
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Location:Â Montague Plains. Old Northfield Road. Parking area at the power lines 0.3 miles from the Lake Pleasant Road
Here is a map of the location.
Speakers:Â
Joe Graveline, former Nolumbeka Project president. He is descended from Cherokee and Abenaki and specializes in presenting the unrepresented Indian side of American history. Â
Michael Kellett, Executive Director of RESTORE: The North Woods
Dr. Bill Stubblefield, biologist, forest advocate and Wendell resident
Discussion – The history of the area
What is a pine barrens restoration?
Extensive tree cutting and mowing
Prescribed burns
Herbicide application
What are the costs? Are there benefits?
Why we need wildlands
Why is the pre-colonial history interesting and important
References:Â Â Â Â Â
“Native People did not use fire to shape New England’s Landscape” https://theconversation.com/native-people-did-not-use-fire-to-shape-new-englands-landscape-129429
“Forest-clearing to create early-successional habitats: Questionable benefits, significant costs” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2022.1073677/full
“Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future” https://wildlandsandwoodlands.org/resources/wildlands-in-new-england/
For more information, contact: Janet Sinclair –Â jasinclair@verizon.net
