Land Trust Members Assist with Audubon’s Leopold Sanctuary

By Scott Heth, Director, Audubon Sharon

On a cold November 22nd day, several members of the Hartland Land Trust met Mike Dudek and Scott Heth of Audubon to do habitat management work at Audubon’s Edith Leopold Sanctuary on Rengerman Hill Road.  This sanctuary consists of 38 acres of diverse habitat where plans are being developed to create a trail system and educational kiosk for community use. 

The first step was to start removing invasive plant species, including Japanese Barberry, Asiatic Bittersweet and Multifora Rose. Hartland Land Trust members were a great help.  Bringing equipment, protective gear and a lot of energy, land trust volunteers tackled a large growth of Multiflora Rose on the banks of “Boulder Pond”.  By the time the day was done, after much effort and many scratches, most of the south shore of the small pond was cleared.  As if that was not enough, other tasks that day included removing a small shed near the pond and clearing brush from the orchard.

Edith Leopold was a great lover of nature and an environmental advocate.  She cherished her property and spent a lot of time working on it.  Audubon is pleased to be able to continue this legacy. We greatly appreciate the ongoing help and support of the Hartland Land Trust.