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JULY 2014 PROGRAMS

at Fresh Pond Reservation

These events are FREE and open to the public. Children are welcome in the company of an adult.
You will receive information on parking when you register. Registration information is below.

 

Summer Bird Walk

Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 am
Meeting Place : Register for meeting place and parking information

During the summer, early morning is the best time to look for birds. They are most active when the air is cool and they are hungry for breakfast. We may find adults feeding babies in the nest and fledglings that are following their parents and begging for food. As always, beginning birders are welcome. We have binoculars to lend and will show you how to use them. Register with Elizabeth at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com or leave a message at 617-349-6489.

 

A Tour of the Water Purification Facility

Date: Monday, July 7
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place : Water Purification Facility front door
250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Find out how water that falls as rain in the suburbs 10 miles west of Cambridge is transported to Fresh Pond and then tested, treated and delivered to the city's residents and businesses! Members of the Cambridge Water Department staff will describe the process, answer your questions, and give a tour of the building. For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.

 

Community Weed-Out: Black's Nook Brigade

Date: Monday, July 7
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place : Black's Nook bulletin board

We'll pull a variety of invasive species to help keep this quiet corner of the Reservation a special haven for humans & wildlife alike. Please wear pants and sturdy shoes. Long sleeves, bug spray and water bottle recommended. For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.


Wake-Up and Weed!

Date: Every Thursday in July
Time: 10:00 am to12 noon
Meeting Place . Meets at the volunteer trailer in the parking lot in front of the Water Dept .

Join our weed-warrior crew! We are Fresh Pond citizens dedicated to keeping invasive plants at bay for the benefit of wildlife, water and humans alike. No experience or long-term commitment necessary! All tools are provided; sturdy shoes, pants, long-sleeves and a water bottle are strongly recommended. For more information contact Kirsten at (617) 349-6489 / klindquist@cambridgema.gov . No registration necessary.

Volunteer Adventures at Fresh Pond with Ranger Jean

Dates: Saturdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26, August 2 and 9
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Meeting Place : Fresh Pond Ranger Station
250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Go behind the scenes to see what's involved in maintaining Cambridge's most heavily visited open space. Volunteers will water trees, spread wood chips on pathways, remove invasive plants, take counts of park users, prune back brush, and help Ranger Jean with some of her other ranger duties. A list of adventures will be posted weekly in the Ranger Station as we see what needs to be done. Gloves, tools and good company provided. Bring a water bottle and wear sturdy shoes (no sandals!); long pants recommended. For more information contact Ranger Jean at jrogers@cambridgema.gov or call 508-562- 7605.


Preparing to HONK!

Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place : Fresh Pond Ranger Station
250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Come learn about the HONK! Parade and make costumes representing "Living Things at Fresh Pond Reservation" which will be worn by marchers. This is a program for people of all ages to learn about some of our wild life and join us in making costumes that represent them. All materials supplied. Go home with information about the Parade and sign up to join us in October for the event. For more information contact Ranger Jean at jrogers@cambridgema.gov or call 508-562- 7605.

 

Water Quality, Starting at the Source
with Dave Kaplan & Katie Booras

Date: Monday, July 14
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Water Purification Facility front door
250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Come meet the watershed staff who work to protect our drinking water, starting at the source. They'll explain what we monitor in the source water and demonstrate how they monitor water quality in the field with an arsenal of tools and technology. Program will be held indoors in the event of rain. For more information contact Kirsten at (617) 349-6489 / klindquist@cambridgema.gov . No registration necessary.



Purple Loosestrife & Galerucella Beetle Monitoring
with Kirsten Lindquist

Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 1 to 3:30 pm
Meeting Place: Register for meeting place and parking information

Help Reservation staff in our ongoing effort to biologically control invasive purple loosestrife with the Galerucella beetle! This is a day of science-in-action, so come prepared to collect plant and beetle data in the field. Pants, long sleeves and a water bottle are strongly recommended. No experience necessary! Open to ages 8 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult assistant. REGISTERATION IS REQUIRED! Register with Kirsten at (617) 349-6489 / klindquist@cambridgema.gov

 

Fresh Pond Monarch Watch: Milkweed Planting & Kick-off!

Date: Monday, July 21
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Lusitania Meadow

The monarch butterfly is now endangered worldwide, but we can take action to stop the decline, starting here. Join the effort to protect monarchs at Fresh Pond - starting with the habitat they depend on! We'll plant the milkweed monarch caterpillars need to thrive in preparation for the arrival of 28 caterpillars Reservation staff will be raising for release in August. Learn more about the project at www.cambridgema.gov/Water/freshpondreservation . For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.

 

Water Treatment Tour for Families

Date: Thursday, July 24
Time: 1;30 to 3 pm
Meeting Place

Learn how water gets from the sky, to a reservoir, to our treatment plant and then to your sink! This tour is an interactive version of our regular treatment plant tour that's more friendly for families. All children must be accompanied by an adult assistant. Sorry - no parking is available for strollers.For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.

 

Fresh Pond Reservation Walkabout
with Vincent Falcione & Kirsten Lindquist

Date: Monday, July 28
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Black's Nook bulletin board

Take a peek at the Reservation through an ecological lens! Reservation staff will point out several past and current restoration projects around Fresh Pond all aimed at improving the Reservation for water quality, wildlife and recreation. Don't miss out on this chance to learn more about how we manage Cambridge's urban wild! For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.

 

Fresh Pond Monarch Watch: Caterpillar Check-up & Release Prep

Date: Thursday, July 31
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place: outside the Ranger Station, inside if raining.

Reservation staff are raising monarch caterpillars for release! These butterflies are very endangered and we're taking action to protect them (and help our local habitats) at Fresh Pond. Come see how the caterpillars are growing, learn how you can help, and prepare crafts for our big release in August! Learn more about the project at www.cambridgema.gov/Water/freshpondreservation . For more information contact Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6489. No registration necessary.

 

 Please follow registration directions included each program description
 for every event that you plan to attend:
You will receive directions and information on parking in response to your registration.

To receive monthly email program announcements, send an email to friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com


Learn about growing Native Plants: Visit the website of
GROW NATIVE MASSACHUSETTS

 

You can sign up for the
City of Cambridge's user-friendly and informative
Recycling and Composting Newsletter
by emailing recycle@cambridgema.gov

Also, check out the Recycling Division's Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Programs Offered by
The Cambridge Water Department
Spring, Summer and Fall 2014

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Fresh Pond Reservation Stewardship Program

Fresh Pond Reservation users are getting involved! The Cambridge Water Department's Fresh Pond Reservation Stewardship Program brings people together on a regular basis to monitor plants, conduct maintenance activities, and to learn about the ecology and history of the area. You can find out about projects that are being planned for this summer, including invasive plants removal, Purple Loosestrife monitoring, bird box monitoring, and more. Call Kirsten Kindquist at 617-349 6489 or email klindquist@cambridgema.gov for more information.

REMOVAL OF INVAISVE WEEDS

No experience necessary and all tools are provided! Long sleeves, pants and a water bottle are recommended. Latecomers are welcome; please find us at the Black's Nook bulletin board. Parking is available at the Maher Park lot. No need to register - just come!.

Thursday Morning Weeding Starts April 24, 10AM-12 NOON
Meet at the Volunteer Trailer in the Water Department parking lot at 10 am

Evening Weeding Starts Tuesday, April 29, 6 to 7:30 pm
Meet at the Volunteer Trailer in the Water Department parking lot at 6 pm
 Future evening sessions will be scheduled for either Monday or Tuesday evenings.
Email Kirsten at klindquist@cambridgema.gov to have your name added to the Stewards mailing list for regular updates.

Call Kirsten Kindquist at 617-349 6489 or email klindquist@cambridgema.gov for more information.
Regular Meeting Place : The volunteer trailer, parked in the Water Department parking lot.
What to bring: water, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves to prevent bug bites, hat if it is sunny, sun lotion. Your own gloves if you prefer them.
We provide: gloves, tools, instructions, good companyemail klindquist@cambridgema.gov for more information.

Tours of the Water Purification Facility


Dates: Monday Evenings: May 5, June 9, July 7, August 4,
September 8, October 6, November 3
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Location: Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge

The Cambridge Water Department is offering tours of the City's beautiful Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility. The program will include a virtual tour of the Cambridge water supply system, explaining the process by which water that falls as rain in the suburbs 10 miles west of Cambridge is transported to Fresh Pond and made into pure drinking water for our city. Come, and bring your questions. For more information and parking directions, contact Kirsten at (617) 349-6489 / klindquist@cambridgema.gov

Fresh Pond Plant Identification Walks


Dates: Monday Evenings:June 16, Sept 15
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility Front Door
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge

Ted Elliman, New England Wild Flower botanist and author of an upcoming plant guide, will lead walks around the reservation, highlighting some of the Reservation's more common native and non-native plants, and describing their roles in the ecosystem. For more information and parking directions, contact Kirsten at (617) 349-6489 / klindquist@cambridgema.gov

The Cambridge Water Department
250 Fresh Pond Parkway
Cambridge, MA, 02138
617-349 6489
www.cambridgema.gov/cwd/