Last Friday 60 sixth graders from Buckingham Brown and Nichols School began the School year lessons once again from Alewife Reservation. Orientation began with location of where they stood between municipalities on a bicycle, bus, car train and pedestrian artery with a huge wetland, floodplain and drainage basin surrounding with rich wildlife and ponds and a river just west and north of the kiosk gathering spot. Wildlife inventories by Dave Brown were given to teachers, as were maps and leaves drawn by Elizabeth Wylde. The students answered questions related to human activity going on in the area, the most powerful thing happening on the Reservation, what is missing from Alewife, and finding something of value.

Ernie Kirwan demonstrated use of the camera, and took pictures during the walk. He proposed students work with him on a collage project Mike Arnott was able to explain to the students about the beaver lodge with new findings of mud on the lodge, and the lodge asset to the community. The second group went to Perch Pond while Mike took the other to the lodge. Paths were cleared thanks to the Cambridge Just- A- Start crew in July. There are signs now by the paths: "River Path" which goes to the beaver lodge and contains river and woods ecosystem plants and animals, "Marsh Path" to the river containing cattails; and "Perch Pond", a complex ecosystem of pond, river and stream. All ecosystems contain wetlands.

Students were silent showing reverence during the walk in and out of Perch Pond. They knew it is not their territory, but homes for many birds, animals and insects. The search under old boards for signs of life revealed the white footed mouse nest, and a coiled small snake.

Two kingfisher pairs and great blues were identified by teacher Dean Spencer. On the dry hot bike path a tiny snapping turtle was found. Students switched, 20 to beaver lodge and 20 back to Perch. The turtle was taken to the river near water for revival. Students brought their lunch and viewed wildlife pictures of the Reservation's birds, mammals and insects.