More than a dozen hearty souls joined FWT Secretary Sarah White for a hike through Whiting Road Nature Preserve for New Year’s Day.
With the temperature hovering in the low teens to start, the sun briefly broke through for an auspicious start to 2026. Covering slightly less than two miles, the hike took in the Blue, Yellow, and Brown trails, with short stops to learn about the history and ecology of the preserve.
The high winds of the previous few days, coupled with fresh snow, gave the preserve a unique look, with snow highlighting the down trees.
As participants learned, ash trees that colonized the former farm fields in the preserve have succumbed to the emerald ash borer, resulting in scores of dead and dying trees. These were contrasted with the many young trees and shrubs planted along the trail through the ReTree effort.
The spare winter landscape was a perfect backdrop to highlight the high-bush cranberries and other animal food sources along the trails. Hikers also saw the work of woodpeckers in dead trees, with cavities providing homes for other birds.
First Day Hikes originated in 1992 in Massachusetts, then went nationwide in 2012 with the America’s State Parks Alliance. They allow people to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year. This was the first time Friends of Webster Trails participated.