Trail Adopters
Since November 2025, Trail Adopters have submitted over 680 individual reports about trash, downed trees, erosion, trail usage, dog waste, and missing trail blazes. We use this data not only to help inform DCR about issues that need attention, but also to determine where to direct our future volunteer efforts.
Invasive Plant Management
Before the snow fell, volunteers continued to remove buckthorn, bittersweet, and porcelain berry vines from areas in Greenwood Park and along Spot Pond. In November, a group from SEEM Collaborative tackled some impressive buckthorn shrubs along the edges of the field and playground at Greenwood Park. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) team kindly removed the uprooted plants so the area remained clear and accessible to those enjoying the playground and field area. Another volunteer group came a few days later and tackled some more buckthorn that speckled the surrounding trails. In January, a group of 22 volunteers helped us clear out some bittersweet and porcelain berry vines along Spot Pond, so we can continue to work on this area when the vegetation returns.
If you’re interested in getting more involved with invasive plant removal or even working on a project of your own, please contact Maddie here. You can also register for upcoming invasive plant removals here.
Fells Trail Crew
Our trail projects continue to grow with additional work on culvert clearing and maintenance, led by board member and lead volunteer, Charlie McCabe. Charlie has been leading volunteers to a variety of locations throughout the Fells where culverts need to be cleared and unburied to prevent trail flooding, widening, and additional erosion. Volunteers can join these events on a monthly basis on Saturdays by registering on our calendar here.
Hikes
Since November, we have offered 34 guided outings led by FOF staff and volunteers. The outings have explored the Fells as it transitioned to winter at Bellevue Pond, Greenwood Park, Long Pond, Flynn Rink, the Winchester region of the Fells and more. We wrapped up our pilot fall trail running series for women and non-binary folks, which we are eager to start up again in the spring. Check out our full lineup of more events later winter and into spring here.
Thank you!
We’d like to thank the following groups who have joined us since the late fall and have made a big impact in helping us remove invasive plants, pick up trash, and work on trails:
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Earthwise Aware (EwA)
SEEM Collaborative
Interested in assisting these efforts? Apply to volunteer here!
Want to volunteer with your group, company, school, or team? Learn more about our group volunteering opportunities here.
Reach out to friends@fells.org if you have any questions or if you’d like to get more involved in these efforts.