An easy winter-wonderland snowshoe walk through the fields and forest of Proctor Academy, led by Proctor’s Dave Pilla, will be offered under the auspices of the Andover Conservation Commission (ACC) on Saturday morning, February 13, between 10 AM and noon. Participation is free and open to the public.

The walk begins at the Proctor Woodlands Office, located on North Road on the school’s campus.  It should be attractive to first-time snowshoers and veterans alike, says ACC chair Mary Anne Broshek: “The route will not be strenuous, and Dave’s long interest in local wildlife and natural resources should make for some fascinating observations along the way.”

For those who don’t own snowshoes, Pilla can make several pairs available for the walk.  To reserve a pair, call the Proctor Woodlands Office at 735-6225.

A member of the Proctor Academy faculty since 1980, Dave manages the school’s 2,500-acre woodlands and teaches forestry and wildlife science. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and a master’s in forest resources, both from the University of New Hampshire.

In addition to his duties on Proctor’s campus, he also directs the school’s Ocean Classroom, which offers experiential learning aboard a sailing vessel as it travels along the eastern seaboard of the United States. (He’s also the lead singer with Nick’s Other Band, a highly rated local classic-rock group, but that’s another story.)

Co-sponsored by Proctor Academy, the snowshoe walk is a part of the Conservation Commission’s ongoing “Taking Action for Wildlife” project, aimed at creating more public understanding of the ways in which a healthy natural environment supports a rich variety of wildlife.  Other ACC-sponsored activities associated with the project have included a variety of expert-led nature walks and workshops and a library exhibit featuring the work of local wildlife photographers.