Waltham Land Trust season kickoff party and steward training brings kindred spirits together 

One of the things Alison Fleck likes most about being a steward for the Waltham Land Trust is seeing the impact that her work has had over the years. “I’ve done work in Woerd Woods, by the Charles River, in Prospect Hill Park and at Wellington fields taking out invasive species and replanting the open space with native shrubs,” said Fleck, a WLT member and steward since 2023.

She particularly enjoys going to clean-up events and ‘work parties,’ which are hosted by WLT several times a week and provide great opportunities for connection with others. “It’s great to go to events with all kinds of people of all ages,” Fleck said. 

People interested in rolling up their sleeves to help preserve Waltham’s green spaces can learn more about it this Saturday. The Waltham Land Trust is hosting a gathering and steward training at Prospect Hill Park Lodge. Both current stewards and prospective stewards can join WLT and city park ranger Adam Green at noon on April 18 for a season kickoff party and a 1 p.m. steward training. Registration through the WLT website is required to attend the event.

WLT hopes to train around 25 volunteers at this weekend’s event. Stewards help to maintain the Western Greenway Trail, the Mass Central Rail Trail, Wellington Fields, paths along the Charles River, the trails at Prospect Hill Park, the path around Hardy Pond and paths at Beaver Brook reservation. 

Stewards must be at least 18 years old or if younger than 18, accompanied by a parent who has gone through the training as well. Stewards commit to walking portions of Waltham’s trails on a regular basis to pick up trash, report trail hazards and perform light maintenance as needed. The work can vary widely, which gives stewards the opportunity to care for many different areas of the city.

Charlie Hamlin, who has been volunteering with WLT for a few years, takes care of the Chesterbrook Corridor on the Western Greenway Trail. For him, the contribution to future generations keeps him coming back for more. 

“The experience is rewarding because it is clear to me that these public lands in Waltham need to be preserved for future generations,” said Hamlin.

Like Fleck, Hamlin enjoys the social aspect of being a steward. Now that he is retired, he hopes to spend more time at fundraisers to get to know more of his fellow stewards.

“It is great to have this community that is so devoted to this effort,” he said.
Those interested who are unable to attend the training this weekend can email WLT Executive Director Sonja Wadman at swadman@walthamlandtrust.org or call 781-893-3355 to receive an interest form.