“Ninian Stein is an anthropological-archaeologist and an environmental scientist. Her current research draws on systems thinking, science and design to create new collaborative decision-making frameworks for communities seeking to increase their sustainability and more effectively utilize and preserve local environmental resources.”
MHS faculty co-founder of “Fells Day” an initiative involving outdoor education, using the Fells as a de facto classroom
“One of the best days in high school took place yesterday, June 10, 2015. We, as a student body, have finally been allowed to use the Middlesex Fells Reservation, a wonderful school and community resource. How often do school headmasters sincerely consider their students and if they had fun? It felt like the school administration and teachers were interested in what we wanted to do.” Connor Bryan, class of 2016
2017 “Fells Day” experience: Student Reporters and Photographers“While many students chose activities to enjoy outside during Fells Day, many students decided to be the ones to document the eventful day. English teacher, Mr. Ambrose, put together a team of about twenty students that were willing to become reporters and photographers for the day. These students spent the day taking quotes from students and teachers, taking numerous photos, and jumping from activity to activity. This group dedicated their time so that we could document the day, by writing articles, making slideshows, and more. These students may have been buried in some technology throughout the day, but it was a necessary tool to make sure we could remember this marvelous Fells Day for the years to come!”
Colonization of the Fells
Ellen Berkland, Massachusetts DCR Archaologist and Author of “The Peopling of the Place We Now Call The Fells” FellsAnnualMtgTalk2014. In May 2014, State Archaologist Berkland presented a detailed, in-depth, area history at a Friends of the Fells annual meeting. The range of her talk stretched back to the Paleoindian Period (13,000 years before present) to the “Contact Period” of 1500-1620.
Anthropocene Era: Human Cause and Effect
The Honorable Representative Paul J. Donato, Massachusetts 35th Middlesex — Advisor and mentor to the Students of the Fells Outdoor Youth Leadership program
“Nature no longer exists apart from humanity. Henceforth, the world we will inhabit is the one we have made. Geologists have called this new planetary epoch the Anthropocene, the Age of Humans… Climate change is planetary engineering without design. These facts of the Anthropocene are scientific, but [their] shape and meaning are questions for politics―a politics that does not yet exist. After Nature develops a politics for this post-natural world.” ―Christine Smallwood, Harper’s
Wilderness First Responder Training
“A wilderness first responder is trained to deal with many situations that may be encountered in the wilderness. The training is principally geared towards lay providers, with little to no actual medical experience, though they are often already professionals in other aspects of the outdoors industry, like park rangers, climbing instructors, and guides. A standard Department of Transportation defined Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course, which focuses on urban medical emergencies, requires approximately 60 hours of training, while its backcountry counterpart, Wilderness First Responder course, typically involves 80 hours of training, covering much of what is taught in an EMR course, but with the additional hours spent putting it in a wilderness context”
Forestry Programming
DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program assists communities and nonprofit groups in protecting, growing, and managing community trees and forest ecosystems to improve the environment and enhance livability throughout Massachusetts. Urban and Community Forestry Program support Massachusetts communities through numerous programs including:
Born in France, Claire is a scientist trained in mathematical statistics, probabilities, and computer sciences. Until February 2016, when not working on EwA, she led an Artificial Intelligence R&D organization at an international information technology company. Her science background and domains of expertise have been reliably used in both ecology and conservation fields. Her leadership and technical innovation career, along with her engagement in nature and wildlife conservation, citizen science and volunteering projects, gave her the vision and provide her with the tools for building a successful new organization. Her energy and commitment to EwA’s mission and vision are key in nurturing a vibrant EwA community.
Lisa Mediano — Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Association of Forest and Nature Therapy Guides and Programs
“I currently am focused on my new profession as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. I guide Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) walks in the Greater Boston area and Mt. Monadnock region. Forest Bathing is a new trend in wellness that is open to all people. Being outdoors is healing and I hope to share this wonderful practice with the community to foster a love of nature.”
Student-Led Outdoor Education
Giovanna Bishop, a recent Wheaton graduate, is just one of many students the Friends of the Fells has sponsored to do outdoor education. Her research project last summer (2018) with Walter Kittredge on mosses and lichen in the Fells exemplifies ways that the forest can serve as a classroom.
