Last month, in honor of both Earth Day 2021 and the return of group stewardship opportunities in the Fells, the Friends of the Fells hosted a series of volunteer-oriented events throughout the park. Between Wednesday April 21st and Sunday April 26th individuals from 3 clubs and from across the community participated in one of six group events that were held in the Fells.
Volunteers joined in activities like trash cleanups, trail maintenance and repair, invasive plant clearing and meadow restoration, and solving some drainage and flooding issues by cleaning, repairing, and redirecting culverts and drainpipe outlets.
The Winchester HS Fells Club ready for work!
We would especially like to highlight the efforts of 3 organizations for their work this week: Girl Scouts Junior Troop 62732 of Medford, the “Otters” of the BPSA 92nd Mystic Scout Troop (www.92mystic.org), and the Winchester High School Fells Club!
Below is a gallery of the great work accomplished during Earth Week 2021:
Thank you to all the volunteers that participated in this year’s Earth Week events! Your efforts helped make this a successful week of stewardship for the Fells!
Missed out Earth Week volunteer opportunities? Not to worry– we will be adding many more group volunteer events in 2021, so keep an eye on our Program and Events Calendar for updates.
The Friends of the Fells welcomes volunteers of all ages and experience levels! Interested in volunteering, or have a service project to propose? Fill out our volunteer questionnaire:
Interested in arranging a group service event in the Fells? Contact Jesse at Jesse.Macdonald@fells.org.
The Babes in the Woods weekly family hiking program is in need of immediate volunteer help to act as guides and assistants for events throughout the spring and summer.
The program is seeking individuals that are available Tuesday mornings, comfortable with children, and are physically able to hike at an adult pace for approx. 90 minutes.
Join us and help introduce the wonders of the Fells to the next generation of nature lovers!
Hike Assistant Responsibilities
Assists hike leaders and participants on their Tuesday morning outings
Hike Assistant Duties
Babes in the Woods
Signs in participants using the Wild Apricot app
Makes sure everyone stays with group
Lends a hand to participants who may need one
Waits with anyone who needs a break (e.g. diaper changes, breastfeeding, etc.)
Escorts anyone who needs to leave the hike back to the trailhead
Hike ‘n’ Seek
Signs in participants using the Wild Apricot app
Clears path for participants of tripping hazards
Makes sure everyone stays with group
Repeats educational information/demonstrations from hike leader for families as hike progresses
Hike Assistant Qualifications
People skills, minor hiking and navigational skills
Some knowledge of the Middlesex Fells trail system preferred
When the Friends of the Fells Youth Programs Director Ann Frenning Kossuth first saw an EarthLoom® on display at a Maine Farmer’s Market, she knew immediately that it would be perfect for summer camp. It could serve not only as a rainy-day activity but also as an intentional way to bring children together in community to create art in a nature setting.
“The EarthLoom is a living symbol of our intention to weave together the fabric of community… It brings the magic of weaving together to groups, celebrations, and ceremonies.” — Weaving a Life Founder Susan Barrett Merrill
To make this special loom of nature materials woven on a man-made frame happen in time for summer 2019, the Friends first secured a $300 grant (with the help of volunteer Michelle Desveaux) from the National Coalition for Education & Cultural Programs (NCECP) via the Stoneham Business and Community Educational Foundation (SBCEF).
After that, Principal Fallon of the Medford Vocational and Technical High School (MVTHS) agreed to let the Friends work with the MVTHS Carpentry Department — pro bono. Mr. Brown and his crew built the loom’s 6-foot+ frame and Jesse MacDonald, our Development Associate, took care of bringing the materials to and from the shop — ultimately delivering it direct to the Tudor Barn.
Tudor Barn image credit: Mike Ryan
Transformation
Years ago, under former Executive Director Mike Ryan’s oversight, the mid-19th-century stone Tudor Barn (above) was lovingly restored with the help of $15,000 in fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Fells. Since then, however, the building has not been used to its maximum potential. Happily, this year by storing and using the EarthLoom at the Tudor Barn, it has transformed the use of the space by youth actively weaving in the summer forest program.
All images (other than Tudor Barn) courtesy of Fells Forest Programs camp instructors.
“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is our next StoryWalk®. What a great way to combine literature, exercise, and family fun! This title contains colorful illustrations that keep step with the, simple, sometimes rhyming text. Learn about these fascinating beauties and their complex lives!
The StoryWalk® is a collaboration of the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass in Motion, Medford Family Network and the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network.
The self-guided, sunrise-to-sunset walking tour begins at the DCR Botume House Visitor Center at 4 Woodland Rd. in Stoneham and continues along the Spot Pond shoreline path.
Foster your child’s connection with nature as well as their literacy skills by participating in our StoryWalk® in the Fells!
The StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
Middlesex Fells StoryWalk®
Saturday, July 22 – Sunday August 6
“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is our next StoryWalk®. What a great way to combine literature, exercise, and family fun! This title contains colorful illustrations that keep step with the, simple, sometimes rhyming text. Learn about these fascinating beauties and their complex lives!
The StoryWalk® is a collaboration of the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass in Motion, Medford Family Network and the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network.
Thank you so much for joining us today!
The walk begins at Greenwood Park, in Stoneham (across from the Stone Zoo), and will continue along the Crystal Springs Trail in an easy, 1/3-mile loop.
Foster your child’s connection with nature as well as their literacy skills by participating in our StoryWalk® in the Fells!
The StoryWalkTM Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS – After its successful Forest Kindergarten (“FK”) launch in 2014, the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation (“FoF”) is offering even more forest programming in the summer of 2017. FoF’s programs provide a range of nature-based learning opportunities for children ages 4-10. Children engage in self-guided exploration of the forest, helping develop their curiosity, critical thinking, and sense of connection with nature. Beginning July 5, summer forest programs will provide week-long nature-based learning opportunities through September 1. Forest Kindergarten (ages 4-5), Forest Explorers (ages 5+-7), and Forest Adventurers (ages 8-10) will be offered mornings (9-11:30 AM) or afternoons (12:30-3 AM) at the historic Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”) Botume House at 4 Woodland Road in Stoneham. Forest Adventurers may also use the trails at DCR’s Greenwood Park on Pond Street in Stoneham.
This year the FoF will continue to grow the original FK program for older ages, always geared at developing a sense of environmental stewardship and leadership. As the participating children become more curious about the natural world around them, programming will include occasional guest speakers on special topics. All programs will take advantage of the Fells Reservation as a shared natural resource: our region’s own unique 2,575-acre natural haven with room for all to use, learn from, and protect together.
For more information or to register for any of the FoF Youth Programs visit:
While each of the programs remain child- and interest-led, there will be options for the older ages to engage in enrichment activities of their choice, including: environmental science, reading nature writers, engaging in field sketching, poetry-writing, photography, and more. “This year, our Forest Adventurers program for ages 8-10 has the potential to be extraordinary. I have brought in some terrific and dedicated new instructors from Tufts and UMaine, plus many well-loved returning instructors, and we will be providing extra training on how to incorporate new opportunities for environmental education enrichment for this older age group,” said Ann Frenning Kossuth, Youth Programs Director. Detailed information for parents and guardians can be found at https://www.friendsofthefells.org/parents-instructor-info/. This site contains not only biographies of this year’s instructors, but also the overall FoF forest program philosophy.
The FoF bases its philosophy on a child-led learning experience. The forest is their inspiration; instructors will encourage participants to explore at their own pace, and according to their own interests. Regardless of age, the programs aim primarily to stimulate children’s curiosity about the natural world, and to develop their critical thinking skills through self-guided exploration and problem-solving. Instructors may offer quick “on the spot” science lessons to the children opportunistically and encourage curiosity by asking open-ended questions (i.e.: What do you think that animal eats? Why do you think it has all those colors? Why is this leaf such a funny shape? How long will it take that log to decompose?) Activities available include: bug catching, bird watching, puddle-stomping, exploring secret hideouts, and generally running around. But instructors never force the children to participate in any specific activities, nor schedule their time. Consistent positive reinforcement helps children build respect for every living thing they encounter in the forest, as well as for themselves and each other.
Class sessions will be capped at ten (10) children per day and canceled in weeks when fewer than four (4) children are enrolled. A minimum of two (2) instructors will be present at all times. The total weekly cost for any week-long summer session will be $150. Limited financial assistance is available to those in need. Contact our Youth Programs Director, Ann Frenning Kossuth (ann@friendsofthefells.org) for more information.
All FoF members may receive a $25 discount coupon code for any of our youth programs valid one per child. To find out whether your family’s Friends of the Fells membership is current or to learn about joining the Friends of the Fells, please visit https://www.friendsofthefells.org/join. After joining or renewing, members may email friends@fells.org to receive their coupon code. Your generosity helps to pay for our programming and financial aid for others.
For more information or to register for any of the Friends of the Fells Fall Youth Programs visit:
The Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation is dedicated to the protection and harmonious use of the Fells; promoting awareness, policies and programs to honor and preserve the ecological, historical and recreational resources of this urban forest reservation. The goals of the FoF are to instill awareness and appreciation of the Fells as a valuable natural and historical resource which will foster a sense of stewardship within the larger community; to develop programs for recreation, enjoyment, and study of the Fells which are harmonious with landscape and habitat; and cooperation with others, develop and advocate for policies designed to preserve and protect the Fells Reservation. For more information about our programs or to join the Friends of the Fells, please visit the FoF website at http://www.friendsofthefells.org.
