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A massive appartment project proposed for 55 Wheeler St is currently under review and threatens several rare, precious trees. Sadly, we have seen this scenario before. Behind Cambridge Park Drive, the once beautiful Silver Maple Forest was bulldozed and the newly built residences of over a thousand units are bereft of trees. The few trees remaining at 55 Wheeler St. behind CVS at Fresh Pond are some of the only ones left at the oasis of former ABT Associates, a world renowned environmental business which made evaluation reports for other businesses in clarifying environmental risk factors for health and safety of citizens. The new owner plans to cut down most of the old trees, including rare trees in the center court yard.

Photos below show several of the trees on the large 3 acre former ABT property in the Alewife Floodplain Overlay District (AOD). Their removal would add to a barren unprotected floodplain. Climate and Development Reports by the city are soon to be concluded. These photos may assist in deciding whether to give the new developer an official building permit or not. Hopefully, enforcement of the City of Cambridge Tree Ordinance and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 will prevent the removal of these rare and valuable trees.

Photos by Douglas Brown


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winter wildlife walk Presentation Spotlighting Alewife Reservation
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Regional, National and International Climate Change
Aggregated by David Landskov of Sustainable Arlington and FAR board member.
Local Resources
About Friends of Alewife Reservation

The Alewife Reservation is a unique natural resource for the communities of Belmont, Arlington and Cambridge and home to hundreds of species, including hawks, coyotes beavers, snapping turtles, wild turkeys and muskrats, the reservation is a unique natural resource for the community.
Historical information (Powerpoint)

Friends of Alewife Reservation works to protect and restore this wild area and the surrounding area for the water quality, native plants, animals and over 90 bird species with paths for walking, running and biking, recreation, and for classroom education and research. We regularly steward and preserve the Reservation area for wildlife and for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

photo of nature walk
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By-Laws
About Friends of Alewife Reservation
Statement of Purpose
Virtual Tour
Right now, view the wildlife-rich North Trail of Alewife Reservation.
MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Master Plan for Alewife Reservation
Citizen Forester newsletter archive
History of Cambridge
Free Download from Google Play
The Birds of the Cambridge Region of Massachusetts

by William Brewster 1906
Nuttal Ornithological Society

Biodiversity Study of Alewife Reservation Area: Species, Habitat, Ecosystems

Inventories by David Brown, wildlife assessor (2003, 2004.) Published by and available from FAR for $10. Write or call for your copy. (sample)

Updated Dave Brown Inventories (2008, 2010)

Inventories of Alewife Reservation Wetland Plants by Walter Kittredge, Botanist (2013)
 
Phone: 617-453-8364
Email: alewife@greencambridge.org
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