155 people turned a walk in the woods into a treasure hunt!

Quest 2015CCT’s first-ever Quest, Trees of Great Brewster Woods, was included in the 2015 South Shore Quests handbook. The Quest Season runs every year from April 15 to November 15.

Director Katie Holden coordinated with South Shore Quests, mapping out and determining the clues for our Quest.

When Katie collected the treasure box at the end of the season, we were very excited to learn 155 individuals had participated during the 2015 Quest Season.

Quests start at a marked beginning point and include several clues hidden along the way. The last clue of each quest is a box containing a small guest book, a stamp pad, a rubber stamp, and answers to questions asked by curious Questers. Once the box is found, participants stamp the back page of their Quest book (as proof of accomplishment), and may write or stamp in the guest book.

CCT at the CFM

CCT-CFM booth 2015This summer the CCT could be found at the Cohasset Farmers Market where we met many old friends and made many new ones.

It was a wonderful experience to be a part of the Market Community and we  look forward to seeing you on the Common again next summer.

The Trail Guide & Map to Great Brewster Woods, the Quest Book, as well as our t-shirts and notecards were very popular. There is a limited supply of t-shirts and notecards available and they make great gifts. Click here to order.

Katy & Maryanne @ CFM 2015

CCT Director Katie Holden on the right and Volunteer Maryanne Wetherald at the CCT booth this summer.

 

Students Help in Cleanup Efforts

IMG_7804 IMG_7810 IMG_7811This April marked the 8th year the CCT held its Annual Earth Day Cleanup of Bassing Beach with the help of the Cohasset High School Boys and Girls Lacrosse teams. Over 50 athletes along with members of the Trust removed trash from the coastline of the 3/4-mile long barrier beach.

Cohasset Harbormaster Lori Gibbons helped ferry the students from the town dock and the Cohasset Department of Public Works picked up the collected trash.

“It was a beautiful day to be outdoors and preparing Bassing Beach for spring and summer recreation,” said Debbie Shadd, president of the CCT. “The powerful winter storms stirred up debris that compromises the natural ecosystem. We are grateful to the members of the lacrosse teams who gave time during their school vacation to clean Bassing Beach and help preserve its natural beauty.”

This year the students removed about 15 large bags of bottles, cans and other trash as well as 10 lobster traps from the beach.

Coastsweep 2014 Scott's ShoreThis September Jack Buckley’s 9th grade High School students participated for the 3rd year in Coastsweep sponsored by the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management.

The students collected marine debris (trash, fishing line, and any other human-made items) on the CCT property Scott’s Shore and recorded what they found. This information is then analyzed by CZM to identify sources of marine debris and develop education and policy initiatives to help reduce it.

Edible Plant Walk

Edible Walk Russ Cohen 2015

Foraging expert and author, Russ Cohen, leads the Edible Plant Walk at Holly Hill Farm.

On September 15, the CCT and Holly Hill Farm hosted an Edible Plant Walk with Russ Cohen. Russ is a foraging expert and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten.

edible walk group shot 2015

Over 40 people participated in the Edible Plant Walk.

Cohasset is home to many edible plants some that are more delicious and nutritious than their cultivated counterparts.

Walking in and around the Holly Hill Farm property, participants learned about different species of edible herbaceous plants, plus keys to their safe identification, information on edible portions, seasons of availability, preparation, and guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.

It was a day of discovery and learning. Over 40 people attended the walk and many participants were surprised by how many common edible plants grow wild in their community.