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Wetherbee Conservation Land
The Wetherbee Conservation Land, located in East Acton, totals just over 72 acres. The property is bounded by Wetherbee Street to the east, Route 2 to the south, state property/Berry Lane to the west and Alcott Street/Moritz Land to the north. It has a single entrance, which is on Wetherbee Street where it runs beside the farm field. Parking is available along the western edge of this road. A kiosk is located on the access trail 0.3 mile from Wetherbee Street where maps may be obtained. This conservation land was purchased from the state in 1982 for $1.00. The state acquired it in 1898 from the Heywood/Sellors family; before this, it had been part of the Wetherbee Farm. Wetherbee Land’s eastern section is the only actively farmed agricultural field that belongs to the town of Acton. This gently rolling terrain is used by the state for rotating silage crops. Just northwest of the farm field is a small, sloping, short-grass meadow, accented with crab apple trees. South and below this meadow lies a marshy habitat that in turn feeds a tiny north/south stream and collection-pool that separate the woods from the field’s edge. The property’s back section, to the west, is wooded and typical of New England upland secondary growth. It features red maple, black and red oak, and white pine, with a scattering of ash, sassafras, and hawthorn. In the woods, old stone walls still define early boundaries, one of these, running north/south, is ancient, the others more recent.
There is a yellow blazed loop trail that encompasses most of the property. A significant section of this loop is on an old cart path that leads through several different habitats, including a stand of poplar, or eastern aspen. One feature along this section is a large boulder accessed by a short side path. There are two blue-blazed connector trails that offer variety to one's visit. The area generally is suitable for walking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and tracking/birding.
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