News of the Fells

January 2021

Photo Credit: Bryan Hamlin

A new year, and a strengthened commitment to protecting the Fells

The Friends of the Fells wishes you a new year filled with the solace and delight of spending time outdoors in our favorite nature space, the Middlesex Fells.

The Fells was a life-line to many in 2020, and in 2021 we're ramping up efforts to take care of the nature that cares for us -- with enhanced opportunities for clean-ups, biodiversity protection, and improvements to trail infrastructure.

In 2021, we’ll build on the many accomplishments from last year:

Our 2020 Summer Fells Forest Camp overcame numerous public health requirements and challenges to give more than 700 children a safe, fun outdoor experience. Enjoy pictures and comments from families here.

An artwork contest resulted in colorful posters mounted along the trails in more than two dozen locations to remind visitors to “keep it clean”.
In spring 2020, we moved to virtual programming, posting 14 original short nature videos from the Fells on our new YouTube channel.
A new research partnership with Earthwise Aware brought community members into the Fells each week to observe and record data on the plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife in the forest and pools – see their discoveries here.
By fall, we reinstated our popular guided free walks and Babes In The Woods program (for caregivers with infants), meeting state safety protocols. Future events are posted here – note that pre-registration is now required.
We met with the DCR Commissioner and other high level staff to carry our conservation message forward, which you can see in this briefing book. The surge in popularity in the Fells has laid bare the reality that for years the Commonwealth has not prioritized conservation efforts in the Fells as robustly as we feel is necessary.

photo by Kayla Johnson

We’re thankful for the support of our members, donors, and volunteers who stepped up for the Fells in 2020.

Please join us in 2021 as we deepen our commitment to a new conservation ethic in the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

Chris Redfern

Executive Director
Friends of the Fells

Become a Volunteer: Volunteers are essential to every aspect of what we do! We have a range of opportunities available year round for individuals of nearly any age, availability, and skills. By volunteering with us, you will help to preserve the history, ecology, and beauty of the Middlesex Fells for generations to come.

Become a Volunteer

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Reminder: The Friends of the Fells Board of Directors holds a monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing protocols, these meetings are now conducted virtually.

The next meeting will be held January 12th at 7pm.

If you are interested in participating, please contact friends@fells.org for instructions on how to join us!

Help Us Protect the Fells!

For more than two decades the Friends of the Fells has worked to uphold the spirit that honors the precious natural beauty and the wildness of the Fells. Your donation will help us to continue this work for many more years to come!

DONATE TODAY

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.

www.fells.org

781-662-2340

friends@fells.org