Staff reports 11:36 a.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2019 11:37 am

Adults help some of the younger children cross a stream, while other, left background can be seen hunting for newts and salamanders. (Amy Gardner photo)

On one of the first warm Saturdays this spring, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways offered a 'Follow a Stream' outing for kids and their families as part of its outdoor discovery program for members called "MOOSE-ies for Families."

Led by New Hampshire Coverts Project volunteer Tom Gardner and other MMRG volunteers and staff, 16 children accompanied by 13 adults had a great time exploring and learning about nature alongside a stream that flows through Bob and Debbie Leary's 'Forty to One' farm in Farmington.

MMRG's Education Coordinator Kari Lygren was pleased with the day.

"We never completed the planned loop walk because we spent our whole time exploring and playing around the stream. The kids had a great time jumping from rock to rock across it and splashing and wading in the water. One boy even went swimming.

"Kids discovered salamanders and newts by turning over logs and picking through leaves and they caught frogs and minnows in dip nets."

The Leary farm will soon have another 63 acres of field and forest protected by a conservation easement in addition to 77 acres already conserved.

As a non-profit land trust, MMRG works to conserve and connect important water resources, farm and forest lands, wildlife habitats, and recreational land in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Throughout the year, MMRG offers many educational opportunities to inform all ages about the benefits of our region's natural resources. For more information and a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.mmrg.info.