Upcoming Events

When Where What
Saturday,
September 8th, 2018
10:00am-4:00pm
 Main St, Andover
 Andover Day: Please join us in downtown Andover for this annual celebration of all things Andover. Come for the entertainment, food, and friendship. Stop by our booth and meet some of our volunteers and find out more about what is going on with AVIS.
Sunday,
September 30th, 2018
10:00am
 Shawsheen River Reservation
 Trails and Sails Hike: Join AVIS board members for a pleasant hike along the Shawsheen River. We will hike on the Claus Dengler trail (named for a former AVIS president) which runs along the Shawsheen River from Abbot Bridge to Ballardvale train station, a distance of 1.5 miles. We will walk along open meadows and into the woods. The river is visible throughout most of this hike. This is an excellent opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife and plant species. On our return, we may explore some other trails. The total distance for this hike is approximately 3 miles. Welcoming to all who enjoy walking/hiking outside on trails in the woods.

Special Instructions: Meet at the intersection of Central Street and Abbot Bridge drive. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bug repellant. Bring water. Well behaved dogs on leashes welcome.
Every Monday
June - September 9:00am - 10:00am
 Goldsmith Woodlands
 Silent Hike: Please join us for one of our weekly hikes in the Goldsmith Woodland. Last chance for a silent hike on Monday, June 25, 9-10 am. The hikes will resume in the fall. This hike is an easy, one hour excursion in our most popular reservation with lovely views of Fosters Pond. Led by experienced hiker, Jeff LaFountain, hikers are requested to not talk but to enjoy the serenity of the Woodlands. If extremely inclement weather, hike is canceled. For more information contact Jeff at: jefflaf@comcast.net

Past Events

When Where What
Thursday,
April 19th, 2018
6:45pm-8:45pm
 Memorial Hall Library
Main St, Andover
 Andover Conservation Commission Annual Overseer Meeting: This year’s keynote speaker is Lindsay Randall, Curator of Education and Outreach at the Peabody Institute at Phillips Academy. Lindsay is an expert on prehistoric Native American life in New England.

Lindsay’s talk is entitled alertNATIVE History of the Merrimack Valley. The Merrimack Valley has a rich native history that spans thousands of years from the first people in the Americas to today. This talk will discuss this history and how the geographical landscape played into the importance of the area for native people.

We will start with a short business meeting from 7 – 7:45; our guest speaker will begin at approximately 7:45. As always, the meeting is open to the public and we encourage people to attend.
Saturday,
April 21st, 2018
10:00 am - 11:00 am
 West Parish Meadow It’s Spring and everything is waking up! A one-hour naturalist-led hike for little kids (4-7) with a grownup. Rain date, April 22nd. We will meet at the West Parish Church parking lot, 129 Reservation Road, Andover. We will take a peek at the children’s garden to see if any spring flowers are blooming yet. Then we’ll walk along the trail to West Parish Meadow and look for signs of spring: nests, animal foods, footprints, bird calls, special smells, eggshells, and other surprises our young detectives can find. This will be a fun short hike at an easy pace. Questions? Contact amy.janovsky@gmail.com
Saturday,
April 21st, 2018
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
 Deer Jump Reservation Scavenger hunt for older kids (8-12): A one-hour naturalist-led hike for older kids with an adult. We’ll meet at the AVIS trailhead at 9 Nollett Drive, Andover. Rain date is April 22nd. We will walk through the hemlock grove, cross a small creek, and stroll along the beautiful Deer Jump trail along the Merrimack River. We’ll have lists of special things to find that will help us hone our skills at looking for animal signs and listening carefully to the critters who live in this special reservation. Questions? Contact amy.janovsky@gmail.com
Thursday,
April 5th, 2018
6:00pm
Rescheduled
 Old Town Hall
20 Main St, Andover
 AVIS Annual Dinner and Meeting: Please join us for another evening of conversation and food. Our speaker this year is Jon Honea, Andover Conservation Commissioner and Professor at Emerson University. Dr. Honea's research focuses on the influence of environmental change, including restoration and climate change, on species, populations, and communities of organisms. He teaches courses in ecology and conservation, sustainability science, water resource use, environmental economics, and science communication. He will present information about the removal of dams from the Shawsheen River with an emphasis on the return of alewifes and other fish to the upper river.
2017 Annual Meeting
Apr. 5th, 2017
 Old Town Hall, 20 Main Street, Andover AVIS Annual Dinner and Meeting: Guest Speaker - Rusty Russell, Director of the Merrimack River Watershed Council. Topic: Strangers in a Strange Land—Habitat and Water Conservation at the Dawn of a New Era (Slides... PDF) Mr. Russell recounted the river's major triumphs over the past four decades citing the extensive improvement in water quality (MRWC was founded in 1976, the year Jimmy Carter became president). He also highlighted some of the major threats the river continues to face, some of which are likely to intensify in the coming decades with cuts in financing for programs. He pointed to two important risks the river faces, combined sewer overflow and extensive pollution from storm water runoff. Mr. Russell concluded by saying that the MRWC will begin a water quality testing program once the funding is identified. See photo below.

Photos from Past Events