Eagle reserve created in Royalston
ROYALSTON - An isolated wetland discovered by an Italian immigrant
while he was out hunting has become his legacy and a protected home to
nesting eagles and many other wildlife.
The J. Angelo Solinas Eagle Reserve in Royalston is a 139-acre sanctuary on the north side of Winchendon Road that includes an American bald eagle nest and resident and visiting wildlife, including a rare juvenile golden eagle, moose, blue heron and many other birds and mammals. The sanctuary is a dream of Mr. Solinas carried to completion by his family and friends.
David Kotker of the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust said Mr.
Solinas emigrated to the United States from Italy in the 1960s, moving
to Gardner and raising his family. A hunter and outdoorsman, he stumbled
on the isolated Royalston wetland and fell in love with it, telling his
family it was "God's green earth."
In the 1970s, Mr. Solinas and some friends bought three parcels that make up the 139-acre reserve, with plans to build a camp for hunting, fishing and getting back to nature with family and friends. The land is on the north side of Winchendon Road near Norcross and Stone Roads. It includes 83 acres of a combination of open water, bog, shrub swamp and marsh habitat that extend up toward New Hampshire, five acres of fields and 51 acres of forest.
The creation of the eagle reserve was a way for Mr. Solinas' son Jim to fulfill his father's vision.
Mr. Kotker said the property will be a crown jewel among the many properties preserved by the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
At a town meeting in January, Royalston voters approved accepting a $116,000 Massachusetts Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which allowed the town to purchase a conservation restriction on the land. On Aug. 24, the land was transferred from Mr. Solinas' heirs and John and Elizabeth Zimmerman of Templeton to complete the creation of the conservation area in Mr. Solinas's name.
The conservation restrictions mean the property will remain in its natural state and available to the public for recreation.
"It will be open for hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and other passive recreation, but motorized vehicles and motorized boats will not be allowed," said Jay Rasku, community conservation coordinator for the Mount Grace trust.
Mr. Rasku said the water on the property is held back by a giant
beaver dam, which local naturalist Paul Resendez said should continue to
be maintained by the beaver living there. He said that due to the
availablility of food and habitat the reserve can sustain a beaver
population indefinitely.
Along with the state grant, the project was paid for with $20,000 from Royalston Community Preservation Act funds, $11,000 from the Royalston Conservation Commission, $75,000 from the North American Wetland Conservation Act program, $20,000 from the Fields Pond Foundation and $20,000 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust continues to raise money from smaller donors and has almost met its goal of $36,000 to complete the project.
There is no formal trail into the property, but Mr. Rasku said plans are to create trail access in the future. Wildlife blinds and a universally accessible trail are part of plans for the reserve.
Mr. Rasku said visitors are afforded a spectacular view of the property on a nearly 50-foot-high esker that goes into the center of the reserve from near Winchendon Road. He said the esker's slopes provide a beautiful view of the wetland.
Mr. Kotker said the patchwork of ponds and wetlands habitat that make up the reserve is also expected to be used to enhance the nearby Royalston Community School's Environmental Education program, allowing an expansion of the school's Nature's Classroom program.
The J. Angelo Solinas Eagle Reserve in Royalston is a 139-acre sanctuary on the north side of Winchendon Road that includes an American bald eagle nest and resident and visiting wildlife, including a rare juvenile golden eagle, moose, blue heron and many other birds and mammals. The sanctuary is a dream of Mr. Solinas carried to completion by his family and friends.
In the 1970s, Mr. Solinas and some friends bought three parcels that make up the 139-acre reserve, with plans to build a camp for hunting, fishing and getting back to nature with family and friends. The land is on the north side of Winchendon Road near Norcross and Stone Roads. It includes 83 acres of a combination of open water, bog, shrub swamp and marsh habitat that extend up toward New Hampshire, five acres of fields and 51 acres of forest.
The creation of the eagle reserve was a way for Mr. Solinas' son Jim to fulfill his father's vision.
Mr. Kotker said the property will be a crown jewel among the many properties preserved by the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
At a town meeting in January, Royalston voters approved accepting a $116,000 Massachusetts Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which allowed the town to purchase a conservation restriction on the land. On Aug. 24, the land was transferred from Mr. Solinas' heirs and John and Elizabeth Zimmerman of Templeton to complete the creation of the conservation area in Mr. Solinas's name.
The conservation restrictions mean the property will remain in its natural state and available to the public for recreation.
"It will be open for hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and other passive recreation, but motorized vehicles and motorized boats will not be allowed," said Jay Rasku, community conservation coordinator for the Mount Grace trust.
Along with the state grant, the project was paid for with $20,000 from Royalston Community Preservation Act funds, $11,000 from the Royalston Conservation Commission, $75,000 from the North American Wetland Conservation Act program, $20,000 from the Fields Pond Foundation and $20,000 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust continues to raise money from smaller donors and has almost met its goal of $36,000 to complete the project.
There is no formal trail into the property, but Mr. Rasku said plans are to create trail access in the future. Wildlife blinds and a universally accessible trail are part of plans for the reserve.
Mr. Rasku said visitors are afforded a spectacular view of the property on a nearly 50-foot-high esker that goes into the center of the reserve from near Winchendon Road. He said the esker's slopes provide a beautiful view of the wetland.
Mr. Kotker said the patchwork of ponds and wetlands habitat that make up the reserve is also expected to be used to enhance the nearby Royalston Community School's Environmental Education program, allowing an expansion of the school's Nature's Classroom program.
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