ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
& SILENT AUCTION
Harvard Forest, Petersham
Sunday  February 22, 2026
12-5 p.m.

Guest Speakers

THE BEST OF MASSACHUSETTS WILDLIFE
with Jim Morelly, Hiking Camera Nature Photography
&
 ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Melissa Morris, Frog Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation

SCHEDULE 

~   SILENT AUCTION ONGOING   ~

12 p.m.  Social hour with appetizers and beverages
1  p.m.  Hot buffet meal, casual seating
1:45 p.m.  Welcome & Introduction
2 - 3 p.m.  THE BEST OF MASSACHUSETTS WILDLIFE - Jim Morelly
3 p.m. Break
3:15 - 3:45 p.m. ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR - Melissa Morris
4:30 p.m. Last call for auction bids and wrap-up
5 p.m. Farewell

THE BEST OF MASSACHUSETTS WILDLIFE
​Jim Morelly, Hiking Camera Wildlife Photography

     By exploring miles of Massachusetts forests with a camera and carefully positioning trail cameras to observe wildlife behavior, Jim has observed some of nature’s most remarkable and challenging moments. He’ll take us through four seasons of his best digital captures throughout the state. Be prepared for a stunning selection of still shots and video footage of encounters with the creatures that make the Quabbin region so special. Jim will also share his photography goals and the challenges he faces when attempting to capture unique and infrequently-observed wildlife activities and habits.

     Avid hiking and the desire to improve his wildlife photography skills began for Jim Morelly back in 2010. This led  to writing his first article for MassWildlife magazine in 2012. Since then, Jim has authored several articles for local magazines. Now, fourteen years later, he's hiked seven thousand miles throughout the Quabbin region, taking photographs of wildlife and other natural subjects along the way.  After adding  trail cameras to his wildlife photography toolbox, he started to record and capture videos of the secretive behaviors of numerous wild animal species.
Jim maintains a website and an online blog and recently earned increased recognition after winning two trail camera competitions.
     Jim loves exploring new wild places and camping.

ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Melissa Morris, Frog Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation

     It's not easy being a wild critter! Wildlife rehabilitators are there to help when things don't go quite right for the wild animals that co-exist with us. Melissa will share her experiences of getting started in caring for wild animals and developing a non-profit clinic. She'll elaborate on some of the orphaned, injured and ill small mammals and turtles she cares for until they are healthy enough for release back into the wild. She'll also describe the struggles rehabbers face as our suburban neighborhoods continue to encroach and shrink natural habitats, putting many species at risk. Melissa believes we can all be stewards of our properties and enhance wildlife survival rates.

     Melissa Morris has been a wildlife rehabilitator in Hubbardston for nine years and runs Frog Hollow Farm, where she rehabs porcupines, cottontails, opossums, grey, red and Southern flying squirrels, and occasionally, snapping and painted turtles. She is the state mentor for porcupine rehab and one of two state mentors for Eastern cottontails. In recognition of her skills and her help with training new rehabbers in technical challenges,  she was awarded the WRAM President’s Award for Rehabber of the Year in 2024. Melissa recently received a major donation enabling her to build a second wildlife clinic in South Carolina where she will be rehabbing armadillos, opossums, squirrels and rabbits during the winter months. She and her husband live on a small farm in Hubbardston with their two mini donkeys, chickens, two rescue dogs and cat.

                                                    WARE RIVER NATURE CLUB
                                       Annual Dinner Meeting & Silent Auction
                                                            February 22, 2026
                                               Reservations/Membership dues

NAME(S):____________________________________

EMAIL or TELEPHONE:_____________________________
 
                                                                                                                                       Amount
Entire afternoon & dinner buffet                                                                                         
_____   MEMBERS @ $ 60                                                         $  _________
Entire afternoon & dinner buffet
_____   NON-MEMBERS @ $ 80                                                   _________                            
Presentations only
_____   MEMBERS @ $20                                                              _________

_____   NON-MEMBERS @ $30                                                    _________
 
Membership dues 2/26 – 1/27 @ $20                                           _________                        
 
                                                                                                          TOTAL     $  _________
 
 
 
                                          * *  RSVP by February 12, 2026  * *
 
                                    Please make check payable to Ware River Nature Club (preferred)
                                                and mail to: WRNC, P.O. Box 76, Hardwick, MA 01037
                                                                                             OR
                     Remit through PayPal (please add 3% for fees) to [email protected]