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Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary LbNA #31892 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 13, 2007
Location:
City:Southbridge
County:Worcester
State:Massachusetts
Boxes:1
Planted by:crackerjax
Found by: sadie&russ
Last found:May 9, 2009
Status:FFFFF
Last edited:Sep 13, 2007
The Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary is 116 acres of forest, a red maple swamp, vernal pools and a forty acre pond. It is located on the west side of Route 169 in Southbridge. The trailhead is located on Tipton Rock Road.
Ms. Claire Birtz was an art teacher in the Southbridge school system for many years. She was my art teacher when I was in grade school. I remember her trying to teach us wood block carving. My stamp at this sanctuary is a recreation of my first attempt at wood block carving. It represents a heron. I'm sure Ms. Burtz would give me a poor grade for my efforts. Ms. Birtz bequeathed a gift to Southbridge for beautification of the town. The Opacum Land Trust is partnering with the Trustees of the Estate to manage this wildlife sanctuary. It is a work in progress, as I met several gentlemen who were still blazing trails as I placed this letterbox.
Directions: From the north: At the junction of Rt. 169 and Rt. 20 in Charlton, follow 169 into Southbridge, past the Hotel and Confernce Center, around the rotary, and to the next traffic light, where Rt. 169 bears to the right. From this point it is 2.4 miles to Tipton Rock Road. Turn right here and go about .2 miles to the trailhead.
From the south: At the junction of Rt. 169 and Rt. 44 in Pomfret, follow 169 north. At the state line, Morse Pond will be on your left. Continue on past Morse Farm Stand (a great place for fresh veggies, especially corn in season), and Morse Lumber to the junction of Tipton Rock Road. Turn left and go .2 miles to the trailhead.
Follow the blue blazed trail (only one here) down the cart path. After crossing a stream, the trail goes into the woods on the left, through 2 stone walls, and up an incline. At the top of the incline take the trail to the left, at approximately 100 degrees, and downhill. You will pass close the waters edge, then go through another stone wall, and a little uphill. The trail will become quite wide and head south and downhill. As you descend, there will be a large rock on your left with a huge evergreen hugging it. The letterbox is between the rock and the tree.
You may either return by the same route or follow the loop of the trail back to the start. When I placed the letterbox, the trail was not blazed all the way but was very easy to follow.