AVIS 125th Year Celebration Videos from 2019

 

Upcoming Events

When Where What
November 2, 2024 10:30AM - noon Saturday TBA Guided Nature & History Hike: Andover Center for History & Culture, AVIS, and Andover Conservation Commission offer a guided nature and history hike on Deer Jump and Retelle Reservations. Join us for a Fall discovery of birds, plants, trees, ecology and those who settled here over the last 10,000 years, including the Pennacook Native peoples.

Pre-registration is required https://andoverhistoryandculture.org/indigenous-history-walk. Easy terrain ~ Limited to 35 people.
November 3, 2024 1:00PM - 3:00PM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
November 16, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
November 30, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.

Past Events

When Where What
October 5, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
October 13, 2024 1:00PM - 3:00PM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
October 26, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
August 31, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
September 8, 2024 1:00PM - 3:30PM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
September 21, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
July 27, 2024 9:00AM - 13:00PM Saturday TBA World Conservation Day: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
August 3, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
August 17, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
July 20, 2024 9:00AM - 1:00PM Saturday Lowell & Lawrence Railroad Reservation HIKE THE LOWELL LAWRENCE RAILROAD FROM HAGGETTS POND TO THE TEWKSBURY HOSPITAL: Join us on a 5 mile one way hike along the old Lowell & Lawrence Railroad which started operation in 1848. We will meet in Tewksbury and carpool to Haggett’s pond to start our hike. We'll cover parts of the Bay Circuit Spur through Fishbrook Reservation, Haggett's Pond, Bellevue Reservation, Pinnacle / Hospital Conservation Trail, past the Ogonowski Memorial Model Flying Field and the Tewksbury State Hospital grounds and cemetery.

We'll discuss some of the history of the area as well as current challenges with conservation and combatting invasive plant species. Register here
July 20, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: We will be celebrating World Conservation Day at the Andover Farmers' Market (AFM) South Church parking lot @ 41 Central St, Andover, MA 01810. Come and join the celebration.
July 7, 2024 1:00PM - 3:30PM Sunday Andover Highlands Reservation Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
June 29, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
June 15, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
May 18, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
May 26, 2024 10:30AM - 2:30PM Sunday Pomps Pond HIKE THE SHAWSHEEN RIVER AND POMP’S POND IN ANDOVER: Come and enjoy a one-way riverside hike, approx 5+ miles, along the beautiful Shawsheen River and Bay Circuit Trail in Andover. We'll visit some of the recent habitat restoration sites and see local efforts to fight invasive plant species as well as hear stories about the history of the properties. Registration opens on May 15th: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/149389
June 1, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
April 13, 2024 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday Hammond Way Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list.

The weather looks to be a mix of clouds and sun in the morning. Sunset Rock was basically closed for years due to the trails and entrance being impassible. A lot of work has been done in the last couple of years by the wardens, various volunteer groups, and the Eco Team. The trails are very well-defined now. It has an astounding amount of Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus). You'll learn to identify all stages of this plant.

Park on Hammond Way. Please do not block any driveways. The entrance is down the dirt road, which is actually someone's driveway. Please walk along the grass on the right, which is the AVIS easement.
April 17, 2024 10:00AM - 1:00PM Wednesday Cormier Youth Center Andover Volunteer Fair: Stop by our booth to find out about all the different volunteer opportunities with AVIS. See more about the event here.
Apr 27, 2024 10:00AM - 2:00PM Saturday Hike the Bay Circuit Trail through West Parish Cemetery and Indian Ridge Reservation Come join us for a ~4.5 mile loop hike across some of the most beautiful AVIS reservations. We will meander through the West Parish Cemetery, around Baker's Meadow and return via Indian Ridge Reservation and the West Parish Meadow.

This will include a stop at the Alice Buck Memorial for a short conversation about one of Andover's first conservationists.

More than 145 species of birds, including herons, migrating ducks and nesting Canadian geese, have been observed in these reservations. The wetlands also provide vital habitat for muskrat, mink and beaver.

We plan to end our hike between 1:30 and 2:00PM, depending on the pace of the group.

Appropriate hiking footwear required (no sneakers please).

Rain, high winds and snowstorm will cancel the hike.

Sorry no dogs.

Confirmed participants will be e-mailed directions and reminders prior to the hike. Any questions contact the leaders.

Registration is required. Registration opens Apr 17, 2024 Please visit: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/148875
April 27, 2024 8:30AM - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
May 5, 2024 1:00PM - 3:30PM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
April 9, 2024 6:00PM - 8:30PM Tuesday Old Town Hall on Main Street in Andover AVIS Annual Meeting: The AVIS Annual Meeting will be the evening of Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the Old Town Hall on Main Street in Andover. The schedule of events is as follows:
  • Cocktails at 6:00 PM
  • Dinner at 6:30 PM
  • Business Meeting at 7:00-8:30 PM
The business Meeting will include the election of trustees, AVIS Financial Report, Land Management Report, Land Stewardship Report, and a special projects update. This will be followed by guest speaker Meg Holmes, who will discuss Traversing the Bay Circuit Trail in Andover.
March 30, 2024 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
Mar 23, 2024 10:00AM - 2:00PM Saturday Hike the Shawsheen River & Pomp's Pond in Andover Come and enjoy a one-way riverside hike, approx 5+ miles, along the beautiful Shawsheen River and Bay Circuit Trail in Andover.

We'll hike through several local reservations including:
  • West Parish Meadow
  • Bakers Meadow
  • Indian Ridge Reservation
  • Shawsheen Reservation
  • Vale Reservation
  • Pomp's Pond
We'll visit some of the recent habitat restoration sites and see local efforts to fight invasive plant species as well as hear stories about the history of the properties.

We will be hiking at an easy pace over roots and rocks with numerous ups and downs as we alternate being directly on the shore of the river to the higher ground overlooking it. We plan to end our hike between 1:30 and 2:00PM, depending on the pace of the group.

Registration is required. Registration opens Mar 13, 2024

Please visit: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/148650
Feb 17, 2024 10:00AM - 2:00PM Saturday Hike the Bay Circuit Trail through Deer Jump AND Rafton Reservations Come and enjoy a one-way hike along the Merrimack River and Fish Brook, approximately 5 miles. We will leave our cars at the Tewksbury Pumping station and carpool to the starting point. We'll hike through several smaller reservations and see extensive stands of Hemlock and immense white pines.

We will be hiking at an easy pace over roots and rocks with numerous ups and downs as we alternate being directly on the shore of the river to the higher ground overlooking it. We plan to end our hike between 1:30 and 2:00PM, depending on the pace of the group.

Registration is required. Please visit: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/148379
November 4, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
November 18, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
November 25, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
October 8, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
October 9, 2023 1:00p - 4:00p Monday Meeting location will be shared with registration confirmation Guided Nature & History Hike on Indigenous People's Day 2023: Andover Center for History & Culture, AVIS, and Andover Conservation Commission offer a guided nature and history hike on Deer Jump and Retelle Reservations Join us for a Fall discovery of birds, plants, trees, ecology and those who settled here over the last 8,000 years, including the Pennacook Native peoples. Register here: https://andoverhistoryandculture.org/Public-Programs. Limited seats!
October 14, 2023, 10:00 am Goldsmith trailhead at 941 S.Main Street, Andover Goldsmith Woodlands: Come search with us for some of nature's treasures. The walk will be held, weather permitting, on October 14th. We will walk the wide, gently sloping trails of the reservation and then up the short hill to Bessie's Point, and on to Scout Hollow, if the group wishes. Let's see what we might find along the way! October is a beautiful time to explore the woodland.
October 14, 2023, 10am - 2:00 pm Ballardvale Ballardvale Day: Please visit the AVIS table in downtown Ballardvale, in the historic Ballardvale neighborhood of Andover. Learn about the history of Andover, take a guided hike, or just hang out.
October 21, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
September 28, 2023, 10:00 am, Saturday Shawsheen River & Vale Reservations Trails and Sails hike: Please join AVIS Trustee Denise Boucher in a hike through the Shawsheen River and Vale Reservations. Park on Abbot Bridge Drive
September 30, 2023, Saturday Downtown Andover Andover Day: please visit the AVIS table at Andover Day in downtown Andover.
September 30, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
October 1, 2023 4:00PM Sunday Bessie Goldsmith Reservation AVIS Fall Hike: Starting at 4:00 with a stop at Scout Hollow for a campfire, hot cider and donuts at 5:30 on the way back. Sunset is at 6:26 so it will start to get shadowy if not actually dark. We take the main trail back to the parking lot as it gets dusky.
September 24, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
September 15 to September 24, 2023 TBA Trails & Sails: This is an annual event all over Essex County. AVIS and other Andover organizations are participating in this celebration of culture, nature, and history by sponsoring a hike and other activities throughout town. Learn more at trailsandsails.org.
September 2, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
August 26, 2023, 9am-1pm, Saturday: South Church, Central Street, Andover Farmers Market; please visit the AVIS table at the Andover Farmers Market at South Church, Central Street, Andover
August 6, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Sunday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
August 19, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
Jul 1, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
July 15, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
July 29, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: Email Lynn at HamletofLynn@gmail.com to be put on the Eco Team email list. You’ll get up-to-date notifications about the location.
June 17, 2023 8:30 - 11:00AM Saturday TBA Invasive Plant identification and Removal Session: The AVIS Eco-Team will be joining forces members of Grow Native Massachusetts for an invasive plant identification and removal session. We will be tackling bittersweet and buckthorn using manual methods such as hand pulling, weed wrenches, hand saws, and buckthorn baggies. Please email Lynn at Hamletoflynn@gmail.com to be put on the mailing list for this and other Eco-Team events. It helps us know if you will attend to plan for tool needs.
May 7, 2023 8:30AM Sunday Shawsheen River Reservation, Central St between the RR bridge and the River Shawsheen River Reservation Garlic Mustard Pulling Event: Park on Abbott Bridge Drive and meet at the gated entrance to the Shawsheen River Reservation on Central Street at 8:30 am. Two years ago there was enough of this invasive plant to fill 23 garbage bags---let's see what we can remove this year! We welcome new and occasional volunteers. Please Email Eco-team Lead (hamletoflynn@gmail.com) for more information and to let us know you're coming so that we can have tools and gloves available for all.
May 6, 2023 9:30AM Saturday Arch at West Parish Cemetery @ 129 Reservation Rd Three Reservation walk: Come join us for a ~3.25 mile / ~2 hour hike across three of the most beautiful AVIS reservations. We will meander through the West Parish Meadow, around Baker’s Meadow and return via Indian Ridge Reservation. This will include a side trip to the Alice Buck Memorial for a short talk about one of Andover’s first conservationists. More than 145 species of birds, including herons, migrating ducks and nesting Canadian geese, have been observed in these reservations. The wetlands also provide vital habitat for muskrat, mink and beaver. Meet at the Arch at West Parish Cemetery @ 129 Reservation Rd, Andover, MA 01810 @ 9:20
April 18, 2023 10AM Tuesday Shawsheen River Hike Led by Trustee Mark Kaluzny, we will be hosting an easy fun hike at the Shawsheen River Reservation. Let's walk along the Shawsheen River and see which critters are back or waking up! Maybe we'll find Andover's famous "Octopus Tree"! Meet at the far end of the Ballardvale Communter parking lot at 195 Andover St, Andover MA.
April 17, 2023 10AM Monday West Parish Scavenger Hunt Cheryl McKeough, teacher and naturalist will be leading a fun scavenger hunts in the West Parish Reservation. We'll meet at the children's garden across from West Parish Church at 10:00AM, Monday, April 17, for an easy one-hour scavenger hunt and walk in nature. No dogs, please. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
April 11, 2023 6PM Tuesday Annual Meeting The Andover Village Improvement Society will hold its Annual Meeting at the Andover Town House on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 beginning at 6 PM. Cocktails and self-serve appetizers start at 6 PM (cash bar) followed by a buffet style dinner at 6:30. Learn more here
April 2, 2023 2PM Sunday Harold Rafton Hike Come join us for a ~2.75 mile / ~2 hour hike at the largest of the AVIS reservations. Maple, birch, oak, hickory and sassafras trees can be found in these serene woods. Tall white pines grow along the ridges and hilltops and the ski loop trail passes through lovely hemlock groves. The forest floor is carpeted with ferns, partridgeberry and teaberry. Deer, beaver, fox and numerous bird species have been observed here. Meet at the Andover Community Garden @ 265 High Plain Rd, Andover, MA 01810 at 2:00p.
April 1, 2023 8:30AM Saturday Weed Warriors Kickoff Meet at West Parish Church's parking lot at 8:30a. We'll have a guided hike for newcomers, while experianced team members get started on removing some glossy buckthorn and European honeysuckle.

Photos from Past Events