The Friends of Dragon Run held its first member event of 2022 on Sunday, Jan. 23. The Winter Hot Chocolate/Hot Cider Nature Walk was held at FODR’s Big Island complex in Middlesex County. Twenty-six attendees hiked snow-covered trails in small groups of eight led by Teta Kain, Kevin Howe and Jeff Wright.

Hikers followed trails meandering through woods, stands between 25 and 50 years old. The areas include a variety of hardwood trees such as oaks, poplar, sweet gum, holly, cedar, bald cypress, hornbeam, ash and pines. Despite the winter weather, partridge berries, princess pine, running cedar, Christmas ferns, and striped wintergreen were easy to spot along with a variety of birds including woodpeckers, robins, cardinals, sparrows, nuthatches, and titmice.

Following the nature walks, attendees warmed up with hot drinks and cookies. Guests and volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to explore and learn about the lands protected by FODR in order to preserve the ecology of Dragon Run Sw...