Members of Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board recently gathered for a private hike, which happened to fall during the first snowfall of the season, transforming the woods into something truly magical. Snow dusted the leaves still clinging to branches, a fleeting blend of autumn and winter that made the day feel special. Several members brought their children to experience the beauty of the season firsthand.

Adding to the excitement, the group spotted Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), a small woodland species that thrives in healthy forest ecosystems.

Moments like these remind us why we do this work—to protect the land, learn from it, and share its quiet magic with the next generation.