DARCI SCHOFIELD

There are so many amazing facets to living on an island and preserving its ecology and biodiversity. One of my favorites (I have too many favorites!) is the preservation of the globally rare sandplain grassland and shrublands. The Trustees of Reservations holds one of the largest managed sandplain ecosystems on the Island and actively maintains these critically endangered systems through mowing and prescribed burn. 

Late October. The bird migration is well underway, beachgoers are leaving the shores for the luminous oranges and reds in the New England mountains, fresh crisp apples, pumpkins and apple-cider donuts. The barrier beaches of Cape Poge and Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuges begin to quiet, save for those die-hard surfcasters still trying for that big catch. Late October, as we shift into the quieter, fiery trees and the wondrous cool days of fall, overseeing the operations of thr