Beaver Meadows to Farmed Wetlands and Back

Easily farmed meadows along the Assabet River attracted Northborough’s earliest settlers in the late 1600s, thanks to rich soils formed over thousands of years in beaver ponds and meadows. By that time, beavers had been completely trapped out—but since their reintroduction to Massachusetts in the 1930s, they’ve returned to transform former farmed wetlands.
Join Forest Lyford as he explores how historic beaver activity shaped local soils and drainage, how wetlands were modified for farming, and how today’s beavers continue to influence our streams—both benefiting wetland ecology and sometimes challenging humans.

Registration is suggested. Please visit our website at www.northboroughgardenclub.com to register or for more information.

About Forest Lyford:

Forest Lyford has lived in Northborough since 1991 and is a retired U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist. He is active in local organizations (including the Trails Committee and the Historical Society) and enjoys exploring Northborough’s outdoors.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Northborough.