Read on for a message from Claire O’Neill, President of Earthwise Aware, about our new joint programming initiative:

By Claire O’Neill

I am very excited to see Earthwise Aware (EwA) and the Friends of the Fells offering a new fun and engaging Nature program: ‘EwA at the Fells’.

Our joint mission is to foster awareness of species and habitat biodiversity and develop an understanding of the importance of ecology, phenology, and ethics while helping science.  We’re focusing on citizen science and nature & field journaling.

For those of you who don’t know EwA yet, Earthwise Aware is a young nature conservation nonprofit which focuses on ecological literacy, ethics, and leadership. We are dedicated to reconciling environmental attitude, science & behavior, and we are committed to strengthening our connection with nature.

EwA is both a global and a local organization. Global, since our science and conservation collaborators —who help us developing our content— come from anywhere in the world where we have connections. Our core team itself is American, French, British, Romanian and Indian. Local, because we believe that nature conservation starts at home, and so, we collaborate with local organizations to bring nature experiences here where I and a few of us, at EwA, live.

Our tools include a wide range of guides, etiquettes, and tips for the engagement of the people and professionals within our immediate environment, while visiting nature habitats, and for interacting with wildlife.

We also provide “practice” tools in the form of nature experiences, which we call Nature Circles. EwA Nature Circles cultivate mindful ecological experiences combining science, wellness, ethics & art. Any one of us, anywhere in the world, can participate and implement EwA Nature Circles activities that are freely available on our site.

Last November, we launched local circles and ran spontaneous events anywhere where something interesting was happening at the moment: snowy owls at Crane beach and Newburyport, fall’s colors at Beaver Brook Reservation, winter trees in Somerville, etc.

But we also wanted to lead events on a regular basis, in a few dedicated locations that would become our exploration bases. Doing so, we would provide “bonding” experiences that get our local circle members familiar and knowledgeable about the ecology of specific interesting places.

Crane fly on a lady slipper at the Middlesex Fells

Then, of course, The Fells, with its beauty and the richness of its diverse habitats naturally came to our mind. And, as I am a member of the Friend of the Fells, it was also natural to reach out to the Friends and discuss a potential collaboration, as we thought that EwA’s circles would be a terrific addition and complement to the many wonderful programs that the Friends of the Fells already offer.

It took only a meeting with Ron, Ann, and Lindsay from the Friends of the Fells this past April, to know that, indeed, we wanted to work together. So here we are: The result of this collaboration materialized and is ready to start this June!

“EwA at the Fells” is a two-series program that we will run year round. It includes a citizen science series (Fells’ Biobliss: Biodiversity & Citizen Science), and a nature & field journaling series (The Fells’ Naturalists & Sketchers Circle).

Both series will explore different habitats of the Fells. We’ll look at everything: birds, amphibians, insects, fungi, plants, you name it – big and small, and even smaller… We’ll also pay attention to the relationships between species and reflect on the meaning and implications of these relationships in relation to the forest, including the cities nearby and further away. This intimate exploration will help us build a deep understanding of the place over time while documenting, journaling and/or sketching its many species wonders for the benefits of the Fells, its scientists, and ultimately our communities.

These two series are wonderful opportunities to connect with like-minded people who want to learn, enjoy nature, and be active protectors of this incredible gem that the Fells is.

Come join us! Be part of these nature experiences —be part of nature with us!

More about the ‘EwA at the Fells’ program » https://www.earthwiseaware.org/ewa-at-the-fells/

About Claire » https://www.earthwiseaware.org/main/our-team/#Claire