Jim Adelson, a member of the Land Stewardship Subcommittee of the Conservation Trust, tries out the punch. (Courtesy photo)
The Harvard Conservation Trust and the Harvard Conservation Commission want you to go take a hike, but that doesn’t mean they want you out of their hair. It’s a friendly invitation to participate in the newly established Trail Challenge on a number of conservation lands in Harvard.
The challenge is modeled after the Norwegian orienteering program “Skijeger’n,” (pronounced shee-yay-garn), which means “the ski hunter.” The goal of the Trail Challenge is to encourage people to venture out onto the trails, on foot or skis, in order to hunt down and find control markers that have been set out on the trails.
Affixed to trees along the trails are numbered red control punches. Each of the trails in the challenge has one punch with a unique set of pins that will create a design when stamped on paper. The number on the punch corresponds to a numbered square on the official control card. Simply line up the square at the bottom of the punch with the corresponding numbered square on the control card and press.
The Trail Challenge, which officially starts on Nov. 12, is simple: Demonstrate that you have been out enjoying the trails by collecting as many punch marks as you can. A prize will be given to each person who collects at least 14 punch marks (eight for children under 10).
Official Tyvek control cards are available for free at the Harvard Conservation Trust’s office (102 Prospect Hill Road), Town Hall, and the Harvard General Store. When finished, contact me, trustee Robin Malloy, at rmalloy5@verizon.net to collect your prize.
One red control punch has been placed on the primary trail of each of the following protected lands: Blomfelt, Clapp-Scorgie-Tufts-Smith, Holy Hill, Kaufmann Land, Millie’s Path (on Maxant Land map), Ohlin, Old Mill Road, Pin Hill, Prospect Hill, Sprague Land, Shaker Spring House, Small Nature Trail, Tripp Land and Vesenka/Black Pond. Note that the primary trails are marked with yellow blazes. Blue blazes denote secondary trails and no punches have been placed on these. Maps of these trails can be found online at the Harvard Conservation Trust’s website, www.HarvardConservationTrust.org, or at their office, the General Store, and Westward Orchards. Additional trails will be added at later dates, and notices will be posted with the control cards.
Jim Adelson, a member of the Land Stewardship Subcommittee of the Harvard Conservation Trust, has been out on the trails installing the control punches.
“The punches have been attached to trees close to the trail at an easily reachable height, so you don’t need to turn over every rock or scour the forest looking for them,” he said. “Simply get out and walk!”
My son Will has helped me on occasion, walking the trails and installing the punches. Together we have marveled at the diversity of the trail system. Through their efforts, the Harvard Conservation Trust and Harvard Conservation Commission have provided this community with a wonderful resource. This Trail Challenge is designed to get people out to appreciate nature in the community.
While working on this project, I also learned about a book put out by the Garden Club of Harvard called “Ancient, Historic, and Notable Trees of Harvard.” This book is an invaluable resource to have while walking and is available for purchase at the General Store and Westward Orchards. Though not necessary for the challenge, it will prove to be a helpful companion for those interested in the fauna around them.
Now, go take a hike!
Robin Malloy, is a trustee of the Harvard Conservation Trust.
