UpcomingPrograms

JULY 2017 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.

Woodland Restoration Project Stewardship

Dates: Tuesdays during the growing season
Time: 9:30 am to 1 pm
Meeting Place: email friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com if you would like to come,
and for more information.

Join other stewardship-minded volunteers in caretaking the native plant restoration area next to Lusitania Meadow and learning about the diversity of native plant life! We seek dedicated participants who enjoy comraderie and hard work that includes weeding, pruning, planting, watering new plantings, hauling wood chips and moving logs.

Fresh Pond Stewards: Wake Up and Weed!

Dates: Thursdays in July
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Meeting Place: The volunteer trailer in the front parking lot

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. Meets at the volunteer trailer in the lower parking lot.

Seasonal Exploration of Kingsley Park

for seniors and their friends

Date: Thursday, July 6
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 am
Meeting Place: Meet at the Ranger Station (door under the clock tower on the reservoir side of the Water Purification Facility),
250 Fresh Pond Parkway.

An introduction to the natural and cultural history of Kingsley Park. Walk is ¼ mile on an accessible pathway. Tour will adjust to attendee’s interests and abilities. Parking passes available for those without resident stickers. Contact Chief Ranger Jean Rogers to register at 617 349-4793 or jrogers@cambridgema.gov

Summer Bird Walk

Date: Saturday, July 8
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 am
Meeting Place: Register for parking information, to learn meeting place,
and for notice of cancellation due to inclement weather

The best time to look for birds during the summer is early in the morning: that is when birds are most active. They are hungry for breakfast, and the air is cool and comfortable. With walk leader Nancy Guppy, we may find adults feeding babies in the nest and fledglings following their parents while begging for food. As always, beginning birders are welcome. We have binoculars to lend and will show you how to use them. Register with Catherine Pedemonti at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com

Monday Evening Weed-Out

Dates: Monday, July 10
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Mahr Parking Lot
650 Concord Avenue

Help us improve the health of our urban wild’s ecosystems by keeping invasive plants at bay! We will be removing noxious weeds such as buckthorn, bittersweet, and black swallow-wort for the health of our environment. No experience necessary; all equipment provided! All tools are provided; sturdy shoes, pants, long-sleeves and a water bottle are strongly recommended. Please RSVP to jrogers@cambridgema.gov.

Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility Tour

Date: Monday, July 10
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: 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! You’ll have the chance to speak with water treatment staff, see the equipment in action, and check out our water quality lab. Advance notice is appreciated if coming with a large group. For more information or to RSVP, please contact (617) 349-6489 or fpr@cambridgema.gov

Seasonal Walkabout at Black's Nook

Date: Friday, July 14
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 am
Meeting Place: Mahr Park parking Lot
650 Concord Avenue

Join Ranger Jean for a lunchtime Ranger walkabout at Fresh Pond. We will monitor wildlife by sign, track or presence, and make note of weather, state of plants, condition of water and other abiotic resources. On these monthly walks, help chart the seasonal changes of some of our most active wildlife spots, or simply come and enjoy the walk. Come dressed to be outdoors for the hour. Attend one or the series and develop your ability to take in more of the reservation. People of all abilities and knowledge levels welcome. Service dogs only please. Extreme weather cancels. To RSVP, please contact Ranger Jean at (508)-562-7605 or email jrogers@cambridgema.gov.

Family-Friendly Pollinator Walk

Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 10:30 to 12 noon
Meeting Place: Gazebo near Mahr Park parking Lot
650 Concord Avenue

Join Drumlin Farm's beekeeper Mel Gadd on a family friendly walk looking for pollinators and the plants they love! Please RSVP to Catherine Pedemonti at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com for planning purposes.

Fresh Pond Herb Walk

Date: Saturday, July 16
Time: 10 to 11:30 am
Meeting Place: Gazebo near Mahr Park parking Lot
650 Concord Avenue

Learn about some of the most interesting, abundant (and weedy) plants that grow around us in our city environs. We’ll discuss the medicinal and edible uses of these herbs as we stroll around the pond, and also review tips for harvesting and preserving plants. Learn to see your urban surroundings in a whole new light, and discover the wonder of the plant world, from humble dandelions to graceful lindens. Led by Steph Zabel of Flowerfolk Herbal Apothecary. Please RSVP to Catherine Pedemonti at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com.

Purple Loosestrife and Galerucella Beetle Monitoring

Date: Monday, July 17
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Meeting Place: Fresh Pond Golf Course Clubhouse
691 Huron Avenue, Cambridge

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! Please RSVP to modonnell@cambridgema.gov.

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

DONATIONS

Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation is an all-volunteer organization. We no longer collect membership dues as we did in the past, but we still need money to do our work. We pay professionals to lead programs, maintain this website, and buy supplies for our conservation work on the Reservation. If you would like to help us by making a donation, we would be grateful. Thank you!

You can donate online via Paypal by clicking HERE.

Or you can mail a check to:

Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation

31 Mount Pleasant Street

Cambridge MA 02140-2613

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

AUGUST 2017 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.

Dear Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation,

The list, below, of August 2017 programs at Fresh Pond Reservation is unformatted but accurate. My plans for an upcoming vacation trip have upstaged the time-consuming process of formatting. I will spruce things up when we return, near the end of July. Meanwhile, thanks for your patience.

Your webmaster,

Elizabeth

Seasonal Exploration of Black’s Nook for Seniors and their Friends

Thursday, August 3rd

10:30-11:30 am

Meeting place: Maher Park parking lot, 650 Concord Ave.

An introduction to the natural and cultural history of Black’s Nook. Walk is ¼ mile on an accessible pathway. Tour will adjust to attendee’s interests and abilities. Parking passes available for those without resident stickers. Contact Chief Ranger Jean Rogers to register at 617 349-4793 or jrogers@cambridgema.gov Lunch available after at Neville Place for a nominal fee.

Monday Night Weed Outs

August 7th, 21st and 28th

5:30 - 7:30pm

Meeting place: Maher Park parking lot, 650 Concord Ave.

Join experienced Fresh Pond Stewards in improving wildlife habitat by removing invasive plants and collecting wildflower seeds. Tools and instruction provided. Wear long pants and socks you can tuck your trousers in. Bring water bottle and insect repellent. Contact Jean Rogers at 508-562-7605 to let us know you are coming.

Families Explore the Cattails of Lusitania Meadow, Home of the Mighty Red-winged Blackbirds

Thursday, August 10th

2:00-3:00pm

Meeting place: Lusitania Meadow Meeting Rocks

There are only a few places in Cambridge where cattails grow. And it’s only in those places you’ll see the mighty red- winged blackbirds. Make a red-winged black bird mask or bring your own from the Cambridge Wildlife Puppetry Project Program and then explore these amazing plants that the birds need in their neighborhood and find how they are connected. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Ranger Jean to register at 617 349-4793 or jrogers@cambridgema.gov

Family-friendly Bug Walk

Saturday, August 12th

9:30 - 11:00am

Meeting place: Gazebo by Maher Park, 650 Concord Ave.

Be a bug detective! Join Tom Murray for an exploration of the Reservation. We will see what insects, spiders, and other critters we can find. Please RSVP with Catherine Pedemonti at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com.

Fresh Pond Nature Walk

Sunday, August 13th

9:30 - 11:00am

Meeting location: Gazebo near Maher Park, 650 Concord Ave.

Join us for a walk through our urban wild. We will explore together the flora and fauna of the Reservation, noting bloom and berry; birds and bugs; and beyond! Feel free to bring binoculars, field guides, a hand lens, journal, camera... or just bring yourself! Beginners are welcome, as are children. Please RSVP with Catherine Pedemonti at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com.

Fresh Pond Drainage and Community Gardens Project -

What’s Been Going on Behind the Fence?

Monday August 14th

6:00 - 7:00pm

Meeting place: Water Purification Facility Main Door

Have you been walking by the construction and wondering about what you’re seeing? Join us for a brief walk on the detour path so we can identify the elements of the project and answer your questions. We’ll also have an artist’s rendering of the completed project so you’ll know what to look forward to when the project is completed. Contact Ranger Jean to register at 617 349-4793 or jrogers@cambridgema.gov Bring a picnic and enjoy the Reservation after the program.

Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility Tour

Monday, August 14th

6:00 - 7:30pm

Meeting Place: Front Door, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Family Tree Leaf Scavenger Hunt at Maher Park

Thursday, August 17th

10:30 - 11:30am

Meeting place: Gazebo near Maher Park, 650 Concord Ave.

Leaves are great summertime way to know trees. We’ll make some leaf rubbings and then walk Maher Park to find the leaves on the trees. Come early if you need a parking pass. This is not a drop-in program. Contact Ranger Jean to register at 617 349-4793 or jrogers@cambridgema.gov. Bring a picnic and enjoy the Reservation after the program.

Seasonal Walkabout at Black’s Nook

Friday, August 18th

10:30 - 11:30am

Meeting place: Maher parking lot, 650 Concord Ave

Join Ranger Jean for a seasonal walkabout at Black’s Nook. We will monitor wildlife by sign, track or presence, and make note of weather, state of plants, condition of water and other abiotic resources. You can help chart the seasonal changes of some of our most active wildlife spots, or simply come and enjoy the walk. Come dressed to be outdoors for the hour. People of all abilities and knowledge levels welcome. Service dogs only please. Extreme weather cancels. To RSVP, please contact Ranger Jean at (508)-562-7605 or email jrogers@cambridgema.gov.

DONATIONS

You can donate online via Paypal by clicking HERE.

Or you can mail a check to:

Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation

31 Mount Pleasant Street

Cambridge MA 02140-2613

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

New England Wild Flower Society's

URBAN GARDENING SERIES

The following classes are part of our Urban Gardening Series a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by Society staff in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these FREE classes take place in the lecture hall at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Improving your Garden Soil

Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 10:30 am to 12 noon
Meeting Place:Cambridge Public Library, Main Library Lecture Hall
l1449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Too often, gardeners reach for a quick fix fertilizer to “improve” garden soil and plant health. Unfortunately, all fertilizers are potential pollutants, and gardeners should do their best to avoid them. Instructor Mark Richardson will show you how to be a better environmental steward and save money by practicing a holistic approach to improving your garden soil.

Nibbling on Nature in the City

Date: Wednesday, July 12
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Meeting Place: Cambridge Public Library, Main Library Lecture Hall
l1449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Join Russ Cohen as he discusses the comestible virtues of at least three dozen wild plants commonly found in urban habitats such as vacant lots, bike path edges, ball fields, weedy areas around community garden plots, and your yard. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with information on which parts of the plant are edible, seasons of availability, preparation methods, and guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.

Garden and Landscape Maintenance

Date: Saturday, August 12
Time: 10:30 am to 12 noon
Meeting Place:Cambridge Public Library, Main Library Lecture Hall
l1449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

We should all strive to be lazier gardeners. Sometimes our maintenance practices are counterproductive. During this talk with March Richardson, you will learn a better approach to garden and landscape maintenance that will make your garden more sustainable and give you more time to stop and smell the flowers!

These FREE classes take place in the lecture hall at the

Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138.