FEBRUARY 2015 PROGRAMS
at Fresh Pond Reservation
Offered by Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation and the Cambridge Water Department

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.

 

Humans and Wildlife: The New Imbalance
with Jim Sterba, Author of Nature Wars

Date: Wednesday, February 4
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Meeting Place : Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway

By the late 19th century, North American forests and wildlife were in dire straits. For nearly 400 years, arriving Europeans had removed trees and killed off wild birds and animals to the point that a few enlightened leaders sounded the alarm, and the conservation movement was born. Three slow but remarkable transformations followed. Forests reclaimed huge swaths of abandoned cropland. Many threatened wildlife populations, restocked in refuges and protected, slowly grew back to health. Then, people moved out of cities after World War II, creating a mosaic of suburban, exurban and rural sprawl where family farms once thrived. Now, this new habitat is filled with people who want to “leave nature alone,” and many wildlife populations are proliferating out of balance. We have mounting community conflicts over what to do, or not to do, about deer, beavers, Canada Geese, and other species. As the dominant player in our ecosystems, it is time for us to overcome our reluctance and embrace our stewardship role.

Jim Sterba is an internationally recognized author and correspondent who has reported for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for more than four decades. His book, Nature Wars, published in 2012, has earned critical acclaim and catalyzed an important national conversation about wildlife management. This lecture is presented by Grow Native Massachusetts and co-sponsored by the Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation. All are welcome, and no registration is necessary.

This is the first of four "Evening with Experts" Wednesday evening lectures offered by Grow Native Massachusetts at the Cambridge Public Library . To learn about the other lectures in the series go HERE.

.
Reservation Exploration for Families
with Ranger Jean and CWD Staff

Date: Thursday, February 19
Morning Session: 10 to 11 am
Meeting Place : Black's Nook
Afternoon Session: 1 to 2 pm
Meeting Place : Lusitania Meadow

Date: Friday, February 20
Morning Session: 10 to 11 am
Meeting Place : Lusitania Meadow
Afternoon Session: 1 to 2 pm
Meeting Place : Black's Nook

Come dressed and ready to explore Fresh Pond for signs of life. We may go off trail so wear your boots, hats and mittens! Kids 8+ bring an adventurous adult, but leave your dogs at home. Pre-registration is required. We'll let you know where to meet us when you register. Limited to 24 people for each session - so register early! One session per family per day, please. Rain or heavy snow cancels. Register with Kirsten by Tuesday, Feb. 17: (617) 349-6489 or klindquist@cambridgema.gov.

 

Eyes on Algae at Fresh Pond
(Originally scheduled for Monday, January 26, rescheduled due to snow)

Date: Monday, February 23, 2015
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place : Walter J. Sullivan Treatment Facility
250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Understanding our Cantibridgian water system isn't only about chemistry and physics; it's also about understanding the flora and fauna in it! Come learn more about how Water Department staff are monitoring and researching algae communities in Black's Nook, Fresh Pond, and Little Fresh Pond. You'll also get the chance to inspect some of our local algae species under a microscope! Register with Kirsten: (617) 349-6489, klindquist@cambridgema.go

 

Evergreen Tree Identification Workshop

Dates: Saturday, February 28
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place : Reservation side of the Parkway crosswalk near Dunkin' Donuts
REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Wednesday, Feb. 25th

Join Ranger Jean Rogers to match samples of evergreens with living specimens on the Reservation and create a map for further study and enjoyment. Inside we’ll use keys and photos to identify them. Learn how these evergreens differ from trees like maples and oaks that shed their leaves before going dormant for the winter. Please register so materials can be prepared and you can be informed of storm plans. Contact Ranger Jean Rogers: jrogers@cambridgema.gov.

 

Follow registration directions
included with each program description
You will receive directions and information on parking in response to your registration or inquiry.

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

MARCH 2014 PROGRAMS
at Fresh Pond Reservation

Offered by Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation and the Cambridge Water Department

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.

 

Film Screening: The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies!

Date: Monday, March 2
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place : Russell Youth Center
680 Huron Avenue

Fresh Pond Monarch Watch will return to the Reservation in 2015! Gear up for the season and learn more about this amazing butterfly with this NOVA documentary that charts the epic migration of the monarch across North America. The film features superb aerial views using helicopter, ultralight, and hot-air balloon cameras along the 2,000 mile journey. This film will be screened at the Russell Youth Center, followed by brief discussion. For more details, and to sign-up for updates in event of stormy weather, contact Kirsten: (617) 349-6489, klindquist@cambridgema.gov.

Whole Tree Identification
RESCHEDULED FROM SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place : Neville Place Assisted Living Facility front door
650 Concord Avenue

Come get acquainted with some extraordinary trees that you will find easy to remember because of their unique shapes, bark, and branching patterns. Many of these impressive "specimen trees"* are out on the golf course, and are inaccessible to the public during other seasons. The program will start outside and finish inside with refreshments. Prepare for cold, with hats, gloves, and warm, waterproof footwear for walking off-path, possibly in snow. All levels of experience are welcome! Register with Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com
                                     *Trees that illustrate the outstanding characteristics of their species.

Growing Up WILD
a nature-education workshop
for teachers, caregivers and parents of young children

Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 9am to 3:30pm
Meeting Place : Maynard Ecology Center, basement of Neville Place
650 Concord Avenue

Registration required by Feb. 26.

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education guide that builds on children's sense of wonder and invites them to explore the natural world. Through a wide range of activities, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while building social and cognitive skills. Join CWD staff to learn how WILD activities work and ways they can be used at the Reservation. All program participants receive a copy of the guide. Materials fee is $25 to cover the cost of the book. REGISTER by February 26th. Contact Jean for more info and to register: jrogers@cambridgema.gov

 

Nature Lives!

Date: Sunday, March 15
Time: 2 to 4:30 pm
Meeting Place : Maynard Ecology Center, basement of Neville Place
650 Concord Avenue

Take a walk with naturalists Larry Millman, Joe Warfel, and Elizabeth Wylde as we explore the Reservation in search of fungi, insects, plants, birds, and anything else that shows signs of life in these lengthening days of early spring. There is a lot happening in, on, and above ground! We may even find some species that are new to our Reservation species lists. Dress for the weather and wear boots for walking off-path. To register and for important parking information, email Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com

Welcome Spring Bird Walk

Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place : Location given on registration

Spring is here! The earliest migrating birds are beginning to arrive at the Reservation, where they will either stay for the breeding season, or rest before continuing their journey northward. The new arrivals and year-round residents will soon be busy building nests and defending territories. We may see a variety of migrating waterfowl on the ponds as well as songbirds in trees. Beginners are welcome! We have binoculars to lend and will show you how to use them. To register and for meeting place, email Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com

Winter Tree Identification by Buds, Bark and Branching Patterns

Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Meeting Place : Neville Place Parking Lot
650 Concord Avenue

                                                                     REGISTER by March 26!
Learn to identify members of the maple, ash, birch, elm, willow and sycamore families - all species threatened by the Asian Longhorned Beetle-by their most distinguishable winter characteristics. With the guidance of Ranger Jean Rogers, keys and photos, we'll discover these species around the Reservation. Bring a field notebook, binoculars and a camera if you have them. Dress to be outside for the first half of the program! Meets at Neville Place parking lot; stormy weather cancels. Please register to be updated in the event of bad weather. Contact: Ranger Jean Rogers at jrogers@cambridgema.gov.

 

Follow registration directions
included with each program description
You will receive directions and information on parking in response to your registration or inquiry.

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