Mass Audubon

Nature connects us. The outdoors serves as a unifier and area of common ground. That's why it felt so wonderful to finally open the gates that have cut Chelsea residents off from their waterfront for too many years and share a peek at what's to come.  Mass Audubon now officially owns 18 acres of waterfront in Chelsea—one of the most densely populated cities in the state. Along with our partners, GreenRoots, Inc. and The Neighborhood Developers, we welcomed  more than 100 folks to see where up to 225 affordable homes will meet new nature trails and a totally redeveloped, climate-resilient waterfront offering Chelsea residents and their families opportunities to spend valuable time in nature and the outdoors.  When Chelsea Creek Sanctuary opens in a few years, it will be a place where people will walk along Chelsea Creek. Where children will discover nature for the first time. Where families will gather. Where affordable housing and conservation will exist side by side. Where climate resilience, ecological restoration, and community investment come together in one place.  Learn more about how we're transforming a former industrial site into a waterfront park. https://lnkd.in/ewD76qgg

"Building on Nature in the City’s goal of increasing access to nature, I have come to see that physical proximity to green space is not enough; access must also be cultural, relational, and grounded in community representation. My own experience in Franklin Park helped bring this research into focus." Tami Gordon, Nature in the City Fellow, writes in their recent blog post. Read more about how Tami's Caribbean heritage, experience stumbling upon Boston’s Trinidad-Style Carnival parade along Franklin Park, and researching the history of Elma Lewis, a Caribbean community leader who played a major part in reviving Franklin Park, all come together to tell a story. Read their blog post > https://lnkd.in/gaJq2KBp Image Source: Group of people at Elma Lewis Playhouse at rally in Franklin Park [Photograph]. (1968, September 25). Retrieved from https://lnkd.in/eesbUMw7

Rescue Raptors Update: The House did not include any provisions in its version of the Mass Ready Act – Over two days last week, more than 3,000 wildlife advocates contacted their State Rep in support of Amendment 10, which would phase out the overuse of harmful rodenticides. The Reps heard us, and 82 members cosponsored the amendment. Unfortunately, despite this level of energy and support, the amendment was not adopted, and the House passed its version of the Mass Ready Act without rodenticide policy. The process can be frustrating, but we are still making progress. Even with this disappointing outcome, it’s important for advocates to realize that our legislators, both in the House and Senate, are also still fighting for rodenticide policy to be included in the Mass Ready Act, or even for standalone legislation to move forward. It is essential that we support them by keeping the pressure on. Our voices need to be consistent, persistent, and louder than the opposition. This is grassroots people power in action—and it is the winding path to victory. Stay posted on the campaign: https://lnkd.in/eSPzV5Wt Red-tailed Hawk © Bryan Batley

Birding is having a moment among Gen Z and Millennials, and we are here for it 🤩 This recent story from The News & Observer highlighted the growing interest in birding in young adults across the country, and how both apps and technology, as well as the analog nature of birding, are spurring the uptick. Read the story 👇 https://lnkd.in/eGrX9ssX Enter your birding era with us: join one of our upcoming bird walks, download our birding checklist, and more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e6ZbN3X6

A thriving bird population is indicative of a healthy environment, so when their numbers start dropping it's literally the canary in the coalmine for our planet's well-being.   That's why the work from Mass Audubon's own John Herbert and Lyra Brennan is so vital. By safely tagging these birds and monitoring their migrations, we learn invaluable information that can reverse declining populations and help them recover and thrive. Our Coastal Waterbird Program's successful efforts with Piping Plovers and Saltmarsh Sparrows are proof that it can be done.   Thank you to WFXT Boston 25 News for shining light on a topic crucial to us all. #birdconservation https://lnkd.in/grpz9RXv

Action Alert 🚨 Tomorrow, June 17, the House of Representatives is taking up the Mass Ready Act, and Amendment #10 would phase out the use of anticoagulant rodenticides statewide. Across Massachusetts, thousands of beloved pets and wildlife, including owls, hawks, and foxes, are being poisoned by these toxic rodenticides. And many die after suffering prolonged, painful deaths from ingesting rodenticides through contaminated prey. Make your voice heard! Contact your representatives today and urge them to support this amendment. We need them to hear from as many supporters as possible before they vote on June 17. Speak up: https://lnkd.in/eNnmGbCr

Our own Erin Kelly appearing on BBC to give Scotland fans visiting Boston for the World Cup a heads up on where they can go for great birding and to destress between matches. As a huge soccer fan, I love that Mass Audubon is contributing to the amazing experience that is the World Cup. It looks like the Tartan Army had a fantastic time in Boston and we hope some of them were able to enjoy some urban green space while in town! (our portion starts around the 46-minute mark) https://lnkd.in/gpSbHyXz #WorldCup #urbangreenspaces 

Today, we are proud to welcome our new cohort of Mass Audubon's Environmental Fellowship Program (EFP): Sanctuary Engagement Fellow Aiyana Washington, Ecological Restoration Fellow Angel Del Valle Cardenas, Diversity and Inclusion Fellow Hedy Yang, Land Conservation Fellow Jessie Traxler, and Nature in the City Fellow Taryn Chung. We are thrilled that these talented young professionals are joining the team at Mass Audubon and cannot wait to see where they will go from here. Learn more about our past and current fellows → https://lnkd.in/enWxarKZ The Environmental Fellowship Program (EFP) is a 14-month fellowship that expands early career opportunities for young professionals. Throughout their fellowship, fellows gain hands-on experience within a Mass Audubon department, build professional connections in the environmental field, cultivate relationships with mentors within and beyond Mass Audubon, and acquire the tools to center Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA) in their work, as they embark upon their careers. Learn more about the EFP → https://lnkd.in/gib7QxAy

Amazing piece by Yvonne Abraham of the Boston Globe Media about the future Chelsea Creek Sanctuary. We’re incredibly proud and excited to work with our partners, GreenRoots, Inc. and The Neighborhood Developers, to transform the abandoned waterfront into a natural park that includes affordable housing and provides much needed access to the waterfront that the Chelsea community can enjoy for generations. https://lnkd.in/e5VZZydn

Happy Pride Month! Nature is for everyone. No matter who you are or how you identify, the natural world welcomes you with open arms 🌈🌳 Join us in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community this month through our Pride Celebration at Blue Hills Trailside Museum on June 13, and at sanctuaries across Massachusetts throughout the month. Learn more about the festivities: massaudubon.org/pride