Natural history comes alive at the Red River Valley Preserve

A beautiful spring morning turned into a voyage of discovery, as naturalist and field guide author Peter Trull guided nearly twenty eager learners on a natural history program at the Harwich Conservation Trust’s Red River Valley Preserve.

“There’s a lot going on here,” said Trull. “Everything that’s in these woods is working together to keep this place healthy and alive, from the tiniest little invertebrates to the crows and coyotes.”

We gathered under tall pine trees at the edge of the woods and learned about forest succession, the gradual ecosystem change that can take place over time.

“I remember when I was a boy and my dad would bring me down to Cape Cod,” said Trull. “There was nothing but pitch pines, all the way down Route 6 and all the way to Wellfleet. Now it’s changing. Pitch pines are dying out and oaks are growing in.”

That change is slowly taking place at the Red River Valley Preserve, although pines still hold sway. As the composition of a forest changes, different inhabitants might find a home. “When the hardwoods take over, we get species of animals that are more accustomed to living in a hardwood forest,” said Trull.

Plans for the future of the Red River Valley Preserve

In 2023, thanks to the generosity of donors, the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) was able to acquire the 12.34 acres that provide a welcome green space along busy Route 28 at the gateway to town on the Chatham border. The property included the largest forested landscape left from one end of Harwich to the other between Route 28 and Nantucket Sound.

Helping to protect water quality at the town’s largest and most popular beach, the land also borders 786 feet of stream that empties into Nantucket Sound at the eastern end of Red River Beach.

On the south side of Route 28 is the 9.6-acre parcel with a circa 1950s house. Initially, HCT was envisioning a renovation of the structure into office space and turning the garage into a classroom. Upon acquiring the land from the Chase family, HCT hired a local architecture firm, the Schneeberger Collective, to study the house conversion concept.

After an analysis of long-term energy costs for heating and cooling and complicated building code upgrades associated with renovation, the greener way to go is to create a new structure. Led by architect firm founder Leslie Schneeberger and her team, HCT is currently working through the design process for a new office and learning center.

Plans include a  conservation hub for greeting visitors and hosting education programs, as well as creating a demonstration native plant and pollinator garden. Sustainable landscape and engineering company Horsley Witten Group is designing public access to the future conservation destination.

Preserving a parcel of this size protects woods, water, wildlife and enhances our shared quality of life. It also helps build resilience to climate change by providing a variety of species with foraging opportunities and places to raise young.

A raccoon skull and flying squirrel tips

Evidence of these species was all around us as Trull guided us through the Red River Valley Preserve. He found a deer bone etched with mysterious small marks and revealed a toothy secret. “These bones are gnawed on by small rodents, like white-footed mice, meadow voles, chipmunks, gray squirrels and red squirrels,” said Trull. “It keeps their teeth sharp and keeps them from growing too long.”

Then, like Hamlet, Trull held up a skull. This one came from a raccoon. “Plenty of brain cavity here,” he said. “Raccoons are smart and they don’t have many predators.”

This was a good opportunity for a reminder that raccoons are not to be trifled with. “I’d walk away from a raccoon faster than I would walk away from an Eastern coyote, or even a red fox,” said Trull. “Raccoons are a primary carrier of rabies on the Cape.”

A spirited session of critter chat bubbled up, with someone in the group detailing an unfortunate incident involving flying squirrels taking up residence in a Harwich attic. Trull broke down the event with ease. “A flying squirrel is looking for a cavity in a tree to make a nest,” he said. “So, it gnaws into the side of your gable end, looks into your crawl space and goes, ‘wow!'”

According to Trull, possible solutions to this squirrely problem include putting ammonia on a cloth to drive them away and cranking a radio in the attic. Trull suggested tuning in a talk radio station. “The squirrels can’t tolerate it, because of the voices and the constant talking.”

The caw of crows grated through the forest, sounding a bit irritating to the human ear, but Trull said the birds had a lot going for them, bringing about a newfound appreciation. “Crows are extremely intelligent and extremely social. They’re as sharp as can be,” he said. “They are adaptable beyond belief.”

Poetry about animal droppings

It’s amazing how intriguing a forest can be when an expert is around to explain things. Even animal poop provides a window into the wildlife that calls these woods home. Trull pointed out a pile left behind by an eastern coyote, then delivered a poem to teach us the scientific word for animal droppings. It goes like this:

Starts with an “S”

Ends with a “T”

Comes out of you

Comes out of me

I know what you’re thinking

Don’t call it that

Be scientific

Call it Scat

As we finished the program, Trull talked about the value of preserved space and how it can help folks learn about and appreciate nature. “The more places we have for people to get out there and explore, the better,” he said. “And programs like this, that help interpret and explain the natural world, can really get people hooked on the beauty of Cape Cod.”

As HCT and the team of experts navigate the office and learning center design process, stay tuned to your eNews for updates. In the not too distant future, all ages will be able to explore and enjoy the Red River Valley Preserve with new programs inspiring curiosity about the natural world around us.

—Sign up for HCT eNews, a great way to stay in the loop about exciting HCT events, guided walks and other interesting news.

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.