BABBIT GRIBBONS LAND DEDICATION
9/15/2017
BY JIM BERUBE
On behalf of the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, I welcome you all to this wonderful piece of property.
The Worcester County League was founded in 1929, bringing together the area’s sporting clubs under one “umbrella” in order to work together on topics and issues of common interest.
A number of these clubs had formed as early as the 1870’s. The Fitchburg Sportsmen’s Club was established in 1875 and is thought to be the oldest sporting club in the country.
Currently, the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs consists of over 60 member sporting clubs with a membership of 20,000 members in Worcester County.
The purpose or mission of the Worcester County League is the following:
When this property was available for sale, the League did not have sufficient funds, so Lou Babbett and Ray Gribbons used their own money to purchase it for the League. Both of these well-known and respected members were very active in the League and served in various official capacities.
Between 1958 and 1967 three parcels consisting of nearly 100 acres was purchased.
In 1973 a new club in the area formed and the League transferred 8 acres to the club to build a club house. After a foundation was built, club members lost interest and the club disbanded.
In 1990, Senator Steve Brewer assisted the Worcester County League in getting the property transferred back to League ownership.
With the proceeds of the conservation easement transaction, the Worcester County League has established a fund for the sole purpose of future purchases of open land. We are hoping to add to this fund over time.
Forest Management
In keeping with our mandate, the League has the property under Chapter 61—Forest Management.
The League has had a long time policy for the land to utilize forestry to enhance wildlife habit. Forestry operations first took place about 20 years ago.
In the last few years, we have been implementing a forest management plan under the capable hands of Certified Forester Jim DiMaio who is with us today.
“I would like to thank the following for their hard work and service to the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs in making this day possible. Jim Berube, Jim Dimaio, David Morin, Dave Papale, Ron Amidon and all others that donated their time and labor. “
“From this day forward the Babbit/Gribbons Property will be forever an open space where everyone will have the opportunity to live and pass on the heritage of an outdoor life style. Some will come to hunt, others to watch fireflies with their kids or just smell the flowers. All will be welcome.”
9/15/2017
BY JIM BERUBE
On behalf of the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, I welcome you all to this wonderful piece of property.
The Worcester County League was founded in 1929, bringing together the area’s sporting clubs under one “umbrella” in order to work together on topics and issues of common interest.
A number of these clubs had formed as early as the 1870’s. The Fitchburg Sportsmen’s Club was established in 1875 and is thought to be the oldest sporting club in the country.
Currently, the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs consists of over 60 member sporting clubs with a membership of 20,000 members in Worcester County.
The purpose or mission of the Worcester County League is the following:
- The purpose of the League shall be to educate the public to preserve and protect natural resources. Encourage multiple use and public access to lands and waters.
- To promote and perpetuate fishing, hunting, trapping, firearms ownership, the shooting sports, and compatible and related forms of outdoor recreation.
- To foster good sportsmanship and the safe enjoyment of these great natural heritages.
- To preserve and protect open space, to encourage wildlife -forestry management and to ensure clean, safe pollution-free land and waters.
- To practice conservation and preservation and to promote awareness of the environment through education.
- To offer advice to local, state and federal governing agencies dealing with the subjects of conservation and wildlife management and other subjects of our concern pertaining to fishing, hunting, trapping, target shooting and the land owning public.
When this property was available for sale, the League did not have sufficient funds, so Lou Babbett and Ray Gribbons used their own money to purchase it for the League. Both of these well-known and respected members were very active in the League and served in various official capacities.
Between 1958 and 1967 three parcels consisting of nearly 100 acres was purchased.
In 1973 a new club in the area formed and the League transferred 8 acres to the club to build a club house. After a foundation was built, club members lost interest and the club disbanded.
In 1990, Senator Steve Brewer assisted the Worcester County League in getting the property transferred back to League ownership.
With the proceeds of the conservation easement transaction, the Worcester County League has established a fund for the sole purpose of future purchases of open land. We are hoping to add to this fund over time.
Forest Management
In keeping with our mandate, the League has the property under Chapter 61—Forest Management.
The League has had a long time policy for the land to utilize forestry to enhance wildlife habit. Forestry operations first took place about 20 years ago.
In the last few years, we have been implementing a forest management plan under the capable hands of Certified Forester Jim DiMaio who is with us today.
- He consulted MassWildlife’s Central District Manager for advice on enhancing wildlife habitat on the land
- He worked with the town and MassWildlife on designing and building water bars on the steep logging roads to prevent washouts on Slein Road.
- With assistance from MassWildlife Jim also wrote and was awarded a grant from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service for:
- controlling invasive plants on 40 acres of land,
- creating 5 acres of young forest habitat and
- conducting forest stand improvements on another 15 acres of land.
- He constructed brush piles and grouse drumming areas. One of the brush piles was even used in the winter by a MassWildlife radio-collared female bear!
“I would like to thank the following for their hard work and service to the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs in making this day possible. Jim Berube, Jim Dimaio, David Morin, Dave Papale, Ron Amidon and all others that donated their time and labor. “
“From this day forward the Babbit/Gribbons Property will be forever an open space where everyone will have the opportunity to live and pass on the heritage of an outdoor life style. Some will come to hunt, others to watch fireflies with their kids or just smell the flowers. All will be welcome.”
