Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation
Activities and Volunteer Opportunities
2005

In addition to offering free educational nature programs for the public, the Friends group has initiated a number of other activities on the Reservation that members and other participants have found to be of interest. If any of the listings that follow appeal to you, contact Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com or call 617-349-6391 and leave a message in the voice mailbox for Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation.

Inventories
Recording the diversity of plant and animal species at Fresh Pond is an ongoing project for Friends group members. Lists of trees and shrubs, wildflowers, pond plankton, insects, and birds are available in printed form and can be viewed on the website at www.friendsoffreshpond.org. The lists are updated as new species are recorded. Anyone who observes an unrecorded species at the Reservation is requested to contact us at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com so that we can add it to our inventory.

Phenology
People who frequently visit Fresh Pond have the privilege of observing how seasonal changes affect the flora and fauna of the area. The study of these changes is called phenology. The Friends group keeps a large phenology wall calendar in the Ranger Station at the Water Department Building, where anyone who is interested may write his or her observations. The website also has a calendar, and the public is invited to submit photos and written observations to it. Several members lead monthly phenology walks to look at seasonal changes in selected areas on the Reservation that are of special interest.

Nest box building and monitoring
In March of 2004, four nesting boxes for tree swallows were assembled during a Friends group program. By the end of June, four broods (a total of about 20 fledglings) had been raised. Many pond-walkers reported sightings of birds on or near the boxes. These observations provided invaluable data on the progress of nesting and the success of the nest box project. The boxes were put in place again in 2005, and more sightings have been made of birds on or near all of the boxes.

Nesting boxes for chickadees and titmice were built this spring. The boxes were put in place on the edge of the woods in back of Neville. So far, none have been occupied.

Neville Place gardens and bird feeders
In appreciation for the warm welcome the Friends group has received at Neville Place Assisted Living Facility, where we have our meetings in the Maynard Ecology Center, we planted gardens in the raised beds adjacent to the back of the building. Residents and employees who use the patio there have enjoyed a wide diversity of vegetables and flowers. Anyone who would like to help weed and groom a garden, or who has not-too-aggressive perennials to share, will be most welcome to help!

We have also put up and keep stocked a bird feeder for sunflower seeds and a thistle feeder. Many residents enjoy watching the birds while drinking their morning coffee.