Stow Conservation Department

05/22/2026

Please note: a portion of the Bradley Lane Parking lot at Town Forest will be temporarily closed for construction for approximately one week. A new cistern is being installed thanks to State funding for the Stow Fire Department cisterns by Representative Hogan. The new cistern will provide a crucial water source for forest fire and the surrounding neighborhood. Plenty of trail user parking will still be available!

05/15/2026

Garlic Mustard is an invasive species that originates from Europe. It was brought to the US for herbal uses and erosion control. Don’t be fooled by its pretty white bloom, these guys do some real harm to biodiversity and our environment! Garlic mustard outcompete our important native plants. Garlic mustard roots also secrete a chemical that disrupts underground fungi network responsible for carrying nutrients between native plants and as a result, inhibits native plant growth. If you come across garlic mustard, hand pull them from the base of the plant so you have a better chance of pulling up the entire root system! 🌱

Field card credit to CISMA. Check out their invasive species page for more invasive species info & field cards!

https://cisma-suasco.org/invasive/

05/11/2026

We hope to see you at the grand opening of Randall Woods Park, Saturday June 13th, 1-4pm!

05/08/2026

Last month, a group of UMass Lowell graduate students visited Stow Town Forest for a hands-on class on the various wetland ecosystems we have across the property. We were happy to host and participate with this great group of students!

03/30/2026

Peepers are peeping at Town Building 🐸👀

03/27/2026

The Conservation Department has received several fish kills reports within the last few weeks. We wanted to share some helpful information regarding fish kills to keep in mind if you encounter one!

Most fish kills are due to natural events, the most common being low dissolved oxygen levels in a water body. This is called anoxia. Low dissolved oxygen levels are common after severe winters from thick ice and heavy snow cover. Thick ice and heavy snow create a barrier that prevents atmospheric oxygen from dissolving into the water body. Additionally, that barrier prevents sunlight from reaching the water, preventing aquatic plants and algae from producing oxygen through photosynthesis. With the winter conditions we experienced this year, it's no wonder we have received fish kill reports!

So if you're out for a walk and come across a fish kill, don't panic! You can report the fish kill to the Environmental Police 24-hour line at 1 (800) 632-8075. A Mass Wildlife Biologist will review all reported fish kills to determine if the cause was natural, or if additional site investigation is required. We encourage you to check out the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website for more information provided in the link below. As always, contact the Conservation Department with any questions you may have at 978-897-8615 or email [email protected].

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/if-you-find-a-fish-kill?_ga=2.171813673.826972974.1774542985-474506155.1767807365&_gl=1*1qb78uq*_ga*NDc0NTA2MTU1LjE3Njc4MDczNjU.*_ga_MCLPEGW7WM*czE3NzQ1NDMwMDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzQ1NDMwMDgkajYwJGwwJGgw

03/23/2026

We would like to introduce you to the Stow Conservation Department staff!

Conservation Director Jacquie Goring has worked for the Town of Stow for over a decade. Jacquie loves working in Stow. Whether it is helping residents through the wetlands permitting process or out on the trails. Jacquie feels very grateful to work in such a conservation minded community alongside our local land trusts and State and Federal partners.

Assistant Conservation Director Katelyn Putt began working in Stow in January. Katelyn has a background in environmental consulting and municipal conservation work. Katelyn’s love of nature and commitment to protecting our environment drew her to conservation work. She is very excited to be a part of the Stow team!

Land Steward Bruce Trefry has been stewarding Town conservation land for over 25 years. Bruce is responsible for the stewardship of our Town owned conservation land trails, including removing hazardous trees. The Conservation Department would be lost without his dedicated work maintaining our trails!

Please reach out to our department anytime with wetlands permitting or conservation related questions. We are here to help!

[email protected]
978-897-8615

03/16/2026

Check out the March 2026 updates for Randall Woods Park at Stow Acres!

https://www.stow-ma.gov/599/Randall-Woods-Park

03/04/2026

Please contact the Stow Police Department if you are the owner to retrieve your items or to provide more information. As a reminder, camping and campfires are prohibited on Town conservation land.

Last week, a person contacted the Stow Conservation Commission about a backpack and sleeping pad left under a tree well off the marked trails of the Flagg Hill Conservation land. When recovered by Conservation, it was a hot tent for winter camping, a pack stove and pipes, a coffee mug, a sleeping mat, a backpack, and pack hand saw all on a blue plastic sled. The Stow Police Department and Stow Conservation Commission want to return it to its owner. The property is being stored for safe keeping. If you are the owner, or know who the owner is, please contact the Stow Police Department at (978) 897-4545.

03/02/2026

Please join us at the Rediscover Mapledale event this Saturday to learn more about the history of Robert Hawkins and Mapledale!