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Image by Eric Beacom

The Friends of the Middlesex Fells

Fells visitors enjoy scenery and tranquility while hiking, walking, birding, and observing or studying natural and cultural features of the Fells. Others also take photographs, picnic, jog, cross-country ski, snowshoe and sled.

Helping to preserve the Fells for these visitors is the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, an organization whose mission is to enhance the natural and historic resources of the Fells. In this effort the Friends assist the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in educating the public about the natural, cultural and appropriate recreational features in the Fells.

In addition, the Friends sponsor and conduct natural and cultural history programs and recreational hikes year round to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Reservation. We also assist local youth and school groups in community service projects. In cooperation with the DCR, the Friends cosponsors a trail adopter program, special events, and provides resource material for the Visitors' Center at the historic Botume House on Spot Pond.

The Friends are also strong advocates for preservation. In 2005 Friends fundraising contributions were added to a DCR grant and funding from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to begin restoration of the historic Tudor Barn on Spot Pond. Thanks also to a DCR Greenways Grant and numerous volunteers, the Friends has initiated a hiking trail restoration program.

Our members are involved and dedicated. The Friends works with local and regional conservation groups, and helps develop policies through collaboration with local and state agencies and elected officials. Please consider joining the Friends and help protect and preserve this precious natural resource.


Contact Us
Do you have questions or suggestions which would help the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation in our mission to preserve the Middlesex Fells as an outstanding example of recreation, conservation, and environmental education for the Greater Boston community? We encourage you to share your ideas, inspirations, stories, photos, or your concerns by sending us an email, calling, or writing us a letter.

Friends of the Middlesex Fells
4 Woodland Road
Stoneham, MA 02180
781/662-2340
friends@fells.org

Mike Ryan
Executive Director
mryan@fells.org


Andrew Celentano
Chair, Board of Directors
acelentano@fells.org

Michael Arnott
Volunteer Coordinator
marnott@fells.org





     Photo:  Robert Cogan


LINKS

Menotomy Bird Club
Local, Arlington-based birding club.

The Thoreau Society
The Thoreau Society is the oldest and largest organization devoted to an American author and is dedicated to promoting Thoreau's life and works through education, outreach, and advocacy.

Friends of Hemlock Gorge Reservation
The Friends of Hemlock Gorge Reservation is a community organization dedicated to preserving and improving Hemlock Gorge, a 23-acre reservation along the Charles River.

Friends of Walden Pond
The Friends of Walden Pond is a key outreach activity of The Thoreau Society.

Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust
A citizen-led, community organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Brooks Estate in Medford, MA, an historic open space property of about 60 acres, including acres of open space and walking trails.

Friends of Belle Isle Marsh
Friends of Belle Isle Marsh is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of Belle Isle Marsh through public awareness of the value and beauty of this natural resource.

Waltham Land Trust
Waltham Land Trust is a private, non-profit Massachusetts corporation dedicated to preserving open space in Waltham.

Mystic River Watershed Association

Friends of Alewife Reservation

Charles River Watershed Association

Spot Pond Boating

Appalachian Mountain Club - Boston Chapter
Founded in 1876, The Appalachian Mountain Club is an active nonprofit outdoor recreation organization, with over 70,000 members, who promote the wise use of the mountains, rivers, and
trails of the Northeastern U.S.

Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is a nonprofit, member-supported public interest organization that promotes conservation of the natural environment by influencing public, private and corporate policy decisions and actions through Club programs at the local, state, national and international levels

The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Conservancy and its members have been responsible for the protection of 11 million acres in 50 states and Canada. It helps like-minded partner organizations to preserve millions of acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Asia. The Conservancy owns more than 1600 preserves, the largest private system of nature sanctuaries in the world.

EnviroLink
EnviroLink is a grassroots online community that unites hundreds of organizations and volunteers around the world with millions of people in more than 150 countries. EnviroLink is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive, up-to-date environmental resources available.

Nature Compass
Nature Compass LLC’s goal is to use high-quality digital media technologies and services to produce educational and entertaining Web sites that support nature education, land and water conservation, and outdoor recreation groups in Northern New England. The mission of Nature Compass is to continue to produce web sites for grassroots partners that encourage respect and appreciation for the natural world.



 




Image by Eric Beacom
                            LINKS

Department of Conservation and Recreation
The DCR owns and manages Massachusetts' system of forest and urban parks.  Their mission is "to protect promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the well being of all."  Link to DCR's Middlesex Fells website.

David Brown's Wildlife Services
David Brown, author of the comprehensive 1999 wildlife “Tracking Survey of the Middlesex Fells Reservation” offers wildlife tracking and birding programs throughout New England. David Brown is an interpretive naturalist, animal tracker, author, and environmental educator.

Found in the Fells
A website loaded with photos of wild flowers in the Fells, created by a Friends board member.

Environmental League of Massachusetts For over a hundred years the ELM has advocated for responsible environmental policy in Massachusetts.  The Friends of the Fells is proud to join more than sixty other environmental groups as part of the ELM Collaborative working together for more effective action.

Charles River Conservancy
The Charles River Conservancy (CRC) is dedicated to the renovation, maintenance and enrichment of the Charles River Basin and its surroundings, particularly its parks, parkways, and bridges.

Friends of Breakheart Reservation
The Friends of Breakheart Reservation is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Breakheart Reservation and Camp Nihan.

Friends of Lynn Woods
The Friends of Lynn Woods aim is to protect the Woods from development and exploitation, and maintain the Woods as a natural and unspoiled forest preserve.

Friends of the Blue Hills
In 1976 The Friends of the Blue Hills was created to restore, preserve and protect 8,000 acres of the Historic Blue Hills and Neponset River Reservations. Active volunteer committees work on the preservation of historic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources and run a series of outdoor activities and workshops year-round.

Trustees of Reservations
The Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest private, statewide conservation and preservation organization, since 1891 protecting over 33,000 acres of land in Massachusetts. The Fells Virginia Wood was the first land trust deeded to the Trustees.

Massachusetts Audubon Society
Protecting more than 29,000 acres of conservation land in Massachusetts, MA Audubon conducts educational programs, advocates for sound environmental policiesand maintains 41 wildlife sanctuaries that are open to the public.

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