On Friday, September 30 we were fortunate to have a group of almost 40 volunteers from Ernst & Young come to Blair Pond and Alewife Reservation to help with several important projects.

During the morning our energetic volunteers picked up trash around Blair Pond, cut oriental bittersweet vines that were slowly climbing and killing trees, planted native grasses in an experimental plot, raked plant debris from the previous cleanup, added mulch to plants planted the previous week and prepared the site for winter. After finishing at Blair, everyone walked over to Alewife Reservation and picked up trash at the Reservation parking lot along the east end of Acorn Park Drive and also in the forest near the new development at the west end of Acorn Park Drive.

Throughout the day our volunters learned of the importance of retaining and protecting the important urban meadow and woodlands found throughout the Reservation, including the vital role that native grasses such as Little and Big Blue Stem grasses can play in reducing the impact of climate change.

We are grateful to both Ernst & Young as well as The United Way for making this important volunteer event a success. Thank you!

Many thanks to Ernst & Young for providing an outstanding crew and to The United Way for helping coordinate!

Photos provided by FAR president Ellen Mass, United Way representative Kaya and volunteer Jake Osborne.

Volunteers from Ernst & Young and a representative of United Way take a group picture before starting work at Blair Pond. Many thanks to them for their support of FAR and its conservation mission!

Several volunteers from Ernst & Young cutting and piling invasive oriental bitterseet. This vine climbs trees and its leaves shade the forest floor, preventing other plants from growing. Cutting and removing vines helpes keep the forest canopy and edge of the Blair Meadow open for other plants to grow.

A display describing important background on Alewife Reservation, the Little River, the Mystic River and some of the many conservation and advocacy efforts spearheaded by FAR.

A group of volunters looking for trash along the pathway through Blair Meadow.

Two volunteers searching for trash at the edge of the forest in Blair Meadow.

A group of volunteers prepares to head off in search of trash around Blair Pond.

Our fantastic United Way representative, Kaya, holding a pair of loppers.

A group of volunteers spearing trash around Blair Meadow.

A group of volunteers taking a break from cutting invasive oriental bittersweet vines. It was hard work, but fortunately the day was cool and overcast.

Two volunteers proudly dislaying the tools of the trade: trash spears and a tall paper bag.

Volunteers cleaning the Alewife Reservation parking lot at the east end of Acorn Park Drive. When they started there were dozens of cigarette butts, beverage containers and other trash. It looked much better at the end of the day!