STEWARDSHIP
Donovan Habitat Restoration IMPROVING GRASSLAND BIRD HABITAT Earlier this year at the John J. Donovan Reservation in Hamilton, Greenbelt’s Stewardship team cleared invasive plants from stonewalls in the upper fields, restoring critical grassland habitat for declining bird species such as bobolinks, meadowlarks, and grass- hopper sparrows. This work not only revitalized the open fields and improved conditions for wildlife, but also highlighted Greenbelt’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and climate-resilient land management.
DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area 330 ACRES OF HABITAT, WATERSHED LAND, AND TRAILS GLOUCESTER AND MANCHESTER
DeNormandie Woods is part of a larger 1,400-acre expanse of protected land preserved over decades spanning Manchester, Gloucester, and Essex. Acquired by Greenbelt in late 2024, this ecologically rich property also contains a network of trails — ranging from gentle carriage paths to more challenging woodland tracks — making DeNormandie Woods an inviting destination for year-round recreation.
“Opportunities to protect such a large expanse of land in this region are increasingly rare, making this project a landmark achievement.” Chris LaPointe, President
New Boardwalk Improves Safety TOMPSON STREET | BRAY STREET ENTRANCE This summer in Gloucester, the Stewardship team rebuilt a 36-foot wooden boardwalk over a stream and wetlands at Tompson Street Reservation. The new boardwalk reinforces a heavily used trail connection, providing safe and reliable access to the property’s broader trail network.
Viburnum Woods 111 ACRES OF FOREST, TRAILS, AND STREAM HABITAT HAVERHILL
Greenbelt celebrated the opening of the Viburnum Woods Conservation Area this June, which includes recently protected Parsonage Hill and a previously land-locked Greenbelt parcel. Conserved in partnership with the City of Haverhill, these woodlands play an important role in preserving water quality in the region. Named for the native mapleleaf viburnums thriving in its understory, this property offers a newly redesigned trail network, perfect for exploration.
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