January Volunteer Spotlight

Originally from Tampa, Mary New has lived in Winchester and has been exploring the Fells since 2004. Mary is an accountant by trade but spends her free time jogging, hiking, or taking photos. She spends time in the Fells to exercise, clear her head, and enjoy the woods. She loves jogging the trails in the early mornings and in rain and snow, when it is the most quiet. Some of her favorite memories come from her time in the Fells with her children as they took in the natural wonders of the forest.

Mary had been taking photos as a hobby for many years before she started sharing her photos with Friends of the Fells in 2020. In the early years of the COVID pandemic, Mary really dove into her photography and spent more time in the forest and observing wildlife in her backyard. She has been sharing her incredible captures with the Friends since then, and we are so fortunate!

For folks looking to get into nature photography, Mary says, “Nature photography is becoming so popular with the advances in technology, and I feel photographers, myself included, focus on getting the most detailed, sharp picture of a rare subject. As [my partner] often reminds me, it’s important to step back and enjoy the moment and be grateful for the experience. Also, when I go out to photograph, I am very mindful and slow. I have had deer follow me on many occasions. I think when you are non-threatening and don’t make sudden movements, animals are more trusting and may just let you take their portrait!”

For folks looking to get involved as a volunteer, Mary recommends that you, “reach out to the [Friends] and other organizations and see what their needs are. If you don’t have much time, even picking up trash or any little thing helps.”

Thank you, Mary, for sharing the beauty of the Fells with us through your lenses and experiences!

Take a look at Mary’s work below and on her website or her Instagram page at @mhnew_mass.

If you are interested in learning more and getting involved, please reach out to friends@fells.org, complete the Volunteer Application, or keep an eye on our calendar here for upcoming volunteer events.

Originally from New Jersey, Hobbit currently resides in North Reading where he has lived for 30 years. Hobbit enjoys working with computers and all things tech. He was in the computer and network security space for many years and is also interested in areas such as laser-show tech, theater lighting and sound, and electric cars. In 2005, Hobbit bought his first hybrid car and has been driving a hybrid or full-electric car ever since.

Hobbit is also a long-time barefooter. “I simply don’t need or want shoes anymore because my feet have reached a state that nature wants them to be,” Hobbit says about walking barefoot. One of his favorite things about walking without shoes in the woods is what he calls the “rich symphony of textures underfoot.”

Hobbit got involved with Friends of the Fells (FOF) just under a year ago, when he started leading hikes. Before leading hikes with FOF, Hobbit had previous experience leading hikes with the Friends of Harold Parker State Forest. He has been volunteering with Friends of Harold Parker for six years now, where he helps lead hikes every Wednesday and has helped with their annual 5k trail race.

Some of Hobbit’s favorite parts of leading hikes are meeting new people and getting to show folks parts of the Fells they have never been to before. He cares deeply about preserving our forests and greenspaces, and he wants to help teach others how to enjoy and protect them. Hobbit’s favorite spots in the Fells are the high rock peaks. He loves scrambling over big rocks, so he spends a lot of time on the Rock Circuit and Skyline trails. Hobbit is also interested in the historical aspects of the Fells and tries to remember what he learns and share it with his hike participants.

Amanda Treat moved to Malden seven years ago. She works as a project manager for Wilson Sporting Goods and supports their Wilson Pact sustainability committee and different initiatives to help get folks together outdoors. Running, gardening, hiking, writing, and rock climbing are all activities that Amanda enjoys.

“Coming out of COVID, I really wanted to get out there and do something that gives back to the community and do things with other people,” Amanda says about her motivations to join the. Friends of the Fells’s Communications Committee. She writes blog posts and helps get information out to Fells community members.

Before joining the Communications Committee, Amanda volunteered at invasive plant removal work days. After attending these events and learning about invasive plants, she noticed large areas of black swallowwort near the Oak Grove T stop. She got in touch with the Fells DCR staff and asked about scheduling an event to remove invasive plants near the T stop. Members of groups like Friends of the Malden River and Bike to the Sea also joined in this event. “It was a cool way to expand something Friends of the Fells repeatedly organizes and spread it out into the community.”