Winter Wellness Walks with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Nantucket Land & Water Council are back beginning in January 2025. These community tours are free and open to all members of the community, though reservations are required. Most of the walks are from 11 am to 12:30 pm, and some of them are cooperative efforts with other island organizations.
On January 11, meet at Squam Farm from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. This walk is part of the Land & Water Council’s Winter Wellness Walk Series sponsored by Fairwinds Counseling Center . The Squam Farm walk is a winter favorite. Start the year by walking with Neil Foley, Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Interpretive Education Coordinator & Ecologist, M.S. through the sheltered paths and open pastures around this hidden gem. Learn about the trees in Nantucket’s regenerating hardwood forest and the creatures that can reside at this property all winter.
Ram Pasture is the location for NCF’s January 25 Winter Wellness Walk. From 11 am to 12:30 pm, explore the southernmost end of the Foundation’s popular Sanford Farm property, which is home to some of Nantucket’s rarest plants and animals. This area, which is also rich in cultural history, offers spectacular views of the ocean and the open grasslands of our adjacent Head of the Plains properties.
Join Nantucket Waterkeeper RJ Turcotte at 1 pm on Saturday, January 25, for a guided walk along Monomoy Creeks. At the start of the walk, a member of Fairwinds, Nantucket’s behavioral health center, will give a brief introduction and provide background on the services they offer. Beat the winter blues on this walk by exploring the beautiful landscape and surroundings of the creeks, an essential ecosystem for Nantucket’s fishery and wildlife!
On February 8, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, join the Nantucket Conservation Foundation for an exploration of the historic and vibrant Nantucket Field Station. Scope for winter birds in the salt marsh and Harbor-facing bluff and learn the importance of this island treasure.
February 15 at 1 pm, William Evans, Maria Mitchell’s Youth & Camp Engagement Director will guide a walk along Hither Creek. At the start of the walk, a member of Fairwinds, Nantucket’s behavioral health center, will give a brief introduction and provide background on the services they offer. Beat the winter blues on this walk by exploring the beautiful landscape and surroundings of Hither Creek.
A new guided walk experience will be hosted on February 22, when NCF leads participants to a lesser-known hill in the Moors with a spectacular view: Folger’s Hill. Not as easily findable as Altar Rock, but it holds a higher elevation, and the experience is worth the hike through the sandy roads of the Eastern Moors. This walk begins at 11 am and finishes at 12:30 pm.
On March 8 from 11 am to 12:30 pm, travel the short loop at Masquetuk through a small, fascinating sunken hardwood forest that extends to the shores of West Polpis harbor with opportunities to see winter ducks, talk shellfish, and see the benefits to other residents of this ecologically rich area.
At 1 pm on Saturday, March 8, join Molly Cahill, Land Bank’s Field Ecology Coordinator, for a guided walk at Beechwood Farm. At the start of the walk, a member of Fairwinds, Nantucket’s behavioral health center, will give a brief introduction and provide background on the services they offer. Beat the winter blues on this walk by exploring the beautiful landscape and trails meandering through beautiful wetlands bursting with ferns and tupelo trees.
Visit with Jisun Reiner and Isaac Hersh as they further their research into Nantucket’s vibrant population of American Eels on March 22 at 11 am. Learn the unbelievable natural history of this species, see them up-close-and-personal & discover the winter ecology of Nantucket’s artificial oyster reef and salt marsh habitat.
The watershed-level restoration project at Windswept Bog is underway. On April 5 at 9 am, be amongst the first to explore these retired bogs after phase two construction and at the start of the 2025 growing season. See the work NCF has done, understand the transitional journey of this property, and get ready for diversity to flourish here at Windswept!
The final 2025 Winter Wellness Walk will be held on April 12 from 11 am to 12:30 pm, partnered with a talk at the Nantucket Atheneum on April 11 & The Nantucket Land Bank’s Walk on April 13. An important and targeted walk with Wildlife Research Ecologist Danielle O’Dell, participants will see the effects of Southern Pine Beetle infestations. Learn the signs to look for and understand the significant impact this southern species could have on our island forests.
Register for each walk online and learn about the nature and beauty of Nantucket Island.