Friends of Alewife Reservation (FAR)
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Silver Maple Forest Day of Action — Post Event Press Release |
For Immediate Release, June 26, 2013
Citizens gather to show support for forest protection
On Friday, June 14, more than 40 citizens of Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge gathered at the Alewife T Station to show their support for preserving the Silver Maple Forest at the Belmont Uplands, adjacent to the Alewife Reservation. The forest, surrounded by wetlands, is slated for destruction to make way for a 40B housing development.
Many community and political leaders were in attendance to voice their support for preserving the forest forever. Quinton Zondervan, President of Green Cambridge, indicated the need for preservation: “In the age of climate change, we cannot afford to destroy important natural areas like the Silver Maple Forest that provide essential ecosystem services. The forest is a home for wildlife, and provides our cities with clean air, clean water and essential flood storage that cannot be artificially recreated. We must learn to value these natural areas that are so important to our health, safety and happiness.”
Volunteers held banners requesting that the forest be preserved, by not issuing required building permits, and by committing public funds to purchase the development rights. Although the proposed development is situated in Belmont, all three communities must come together to prevent the tragedy of further habitat destruction and ecological degradation. Commuters were able to learn more about the forest by receiving flyers and also had an opportunity to sign postcards addressed to their town and city governments, requesting that the forest be preserved.
The action was carried out mostly during the morning and evening commute hours. Despite the heavy rain in the morning, over a dozen participants showed up for the early shift. By the afternoon the weather cleared up and turn out was even greater, bolstered by the bike tour participants who started off from the Alewife T Station after participating in the action.
Ellen Mass, President of Friends of Alewife Reservation was happy to see so many people participate and voice their support: “I’m glad people got to enjoy the reservation through a bike tour we organized for the afternoon. The more people see and experience this beautiful area, the more they will understand how important it is that we keep this urban wild preserved forever.”
Many groups came together to organize this event, including Green Cambridge, Friends of Alewife Reservation, TROMP, Sustainable Arlington, The Belmont Coalition to Preserve the Silver Maple Forest and others. The groups plan to organize similar actions in Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge to continue raising awareness and bringing attention to the issue.
State Senator Will Brownsberger, City Councilor Minka vanBeuzekom and City Council candidates Sam Seidel and Kristen von Hoffman were also present to show their support for preserving the forest. The organizers thank all attendees for a peaceful and successful event.
Ellen Mass and Quinton Zondervan holding one of the banners
Citizens gather to show support for forest protection
On Friday, June 14, more than 40 citizens of Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge gathered at the Alewife T Station to show their support for preserving the Silver Maple Forest at the Belmont Uplands, adjacent to the Alewife Reservation. The forest, surrounded by wetlands, is slated for destruction to make way for a 40B housing development.
Many community and political leaders were in attendance to voice their support for preserving the forest forever. Quinton Zondervan, President of Green Cambridge, indicated the need for preservation: “In the age of climate change, we cannot afford to destroy important natural areas like the Silver Maple Forest that provide essential ecosystem services. The forest is a home for wildlife, and provides our cities with clean air, clean water and essential flood storage that cannot be artificially recreated. We must learn to value these natural areas that are so important to our health, safety and happiness.”
Volunteers held banners requesting that the forest be preserved, by not issuing required building permits, and by committing public funds to purchase the development rights. Although the proposed development is situated in Belmont, all three communities must come together to prevent the tragedy of further habitat destruction and ecological degradation. Commuters were able to learn more about the forest by receiving flyers and also had an opportunity to sign postcards addressed to their town and city governments, requesting that the forest be preserved.
The action was carried out mostly during the morning and evening commute hours. Despite the heavy rain in the morning, over a dozen participants showed up for the early shift. By the afternoon the weather cleared up and turn out was even greater, bolstered by the bike tour participants who started off from the Alewife T Station after participating in the action.
Ellen Mass, President of Friends of Alewife Reservation was happy to see so many people participate and voice their support: “I’m glad people got to enjoy the reservation through a bike tour we organized for the afternoon. The more people see and experience this beautiful area, the more they will understand how important it is that we keep this urban wild preserved forever.”
Many groups came together to organize this event, including Green Cambridge, Friends of Alewife Reservation, TROMP, Sustainable Arlington, The Belmont Coalition to Preserve the Silver Maple Forest and others. The groups plan to organize similar actions in Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge to continue raising awareness and bringing attention to the issue.
State Senator Will Brownsberger, City Councilor Minka vanBeuzekom and City Council candidates Sam Seidel and Kristen von Hoffman were also present to show their support for preserving the forest. The organizers thank all attendees for a peaceful and successful event.
Ellen Mass and Quinton Zondervan holding one of the banners