Observing Nature Through Changes

Just like that, the chickadees and titmice have started to flock, we’re starting to see a little color in the forest, and fall is upon us. All of us at EwA send our best wishes and hope to our community and the health of all of your loved ones. We have had a busy summer and we’re looking forward to an eventful fall as well. 

Many of you have met our summer 2020 interns, Lucy and Mina, at this point. If you have been lucky enough to meet them, you’ve experienced the infectious enthusiasm for everything EwA stands for that they both carry with them. If you haven’t met them, you’re still in luck; Lucy and Mina have left behind a great legacy at EwA. Mina wrote a guide for connecting with nature in the city, and Lucy produced monthly Fresh Pond almanacs for you to enjoy and learn from. Their knowledge and energy shine through in their work, and that’s what made them such a joy to have as interns this summer. Thanks, Lucy and Mina!

EwA has also submitted a letter of interest for our first big grant application, to the Cummings Foundation. The Cummings Foundation is a charitable organization that is active in a lot of the same communities we are, so we hope to be able to work with them! This is a huge step for us, with the effort being led by the team of Jen, Kathy, and Claire. More news on that front down the road.

As we all continue to endure this pandemic, EwA is getting back out into the field with some public events. Capacity is limited, of course, so be sure to hone in on something that fascinates you. We’re expanding our wildlife watch to Fresh Pond as well—check it out on Eventbrite if you’re interested. And please drop by one of our weekly virtual Nature Hours to say hi and catch up. We’d love to see you!
 

Fall Events | EwA Naturalist Program | Seasonal Activities
EwA Community | EwA Ambassadors

At EwA, we connect deeply with nature through co-creative citizen science. Our model is one of science by the people, benefiting both People and Nature. Where we live in Massachusetts, our communities get a chance to experience what this means first-hand with EwA's Nature Documentation program.  

EwA’s citizen scientists gain (and create) knowledge of our ecosystems, which is collected in documents like our annual report and their rigorous site visit logs. Two of EwA’s field leaders, Jen and Kathy, post excellent field logs documenting everything from subtle seasonal changes in bird behavior to human disturbance of wildlife in the Fells. You can find weekly recaps of our work in EwA’s Discussion Group.

Jennifer Clifford (left) is a plant pathologist from Somerville. She has led the way on EwA’s phenology projects both in Somerville and at Bellevue Pond in the Fells. Jen (along with Kathy) has joined our grant-writing team, and we’re incredibly grateful for her work. She’s an invaluable member of the team, and her expertise is always helping us learn new things at EwA!

Kathy (right) is an educator from Reading and has been leading both the phenology and arthropod survey projects at Long Pond in the Fells for some time now. She believes strongly in “nature conservation as a way of life,” and that’s what we’re all about here at EwA. Her field reports are a joy to read, with lots of interesting observational details!

 Being an EwA Ambassador

We wish a safe & healthy fall to you and your family! 

— Mike McGlathery and Claire O'Neill