Captains Island, otherwise known as Magazine Beach

Charles Rivre White Geese at the Goose Meadow, April 2010

2010-04-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

Spring comes to the goose meadow.

Grand Junction rail line guards.

Yummy.

How can we protect it, if we don't even see it?

2009-09-24T09:56:00.001-07:00

Maya Lin has a new installation that demonstrates how habitat loss, caused by climate change and human activity endangers our wildlife.

Here in Cambridge MA, we can see the very danger that Maya Lin exposes, but do we all see it? Or are some blinded by their narrow "vision" that excludes wildlife habitat, and instead describes it as "messy" unpruned "bushes" and "unmanicured" lawns? At issue is how can we "live with wildlife" if we contineu to destroy the very habitat that they need?

Should Harvard and BU extend their campus onto state parkland, along the Charles River Estuary, or should they be leaders in preserving and protecting what remains of wildlife habitat along the Charles River Estuary, which lies on the International North Atlantic Flyway?

We must ask, What is Missing?

“The top 10 songbirds we grew up with are in a 40 percent to 70 percent decline. Our oceans are being devastated by overfishing. The landscape we grew up with has been significantly diminished. I just want to bring attention to it and give people the idea that you can do something about it.”

"Lin is interviewing biologists for the memorial and asking them to contribute testimonials of paradises lost that they have seen vanish.

She wants to let people know they can play an active role in the Earth’s future.

“Can we envision a model for sustainable growth?” Lin asks. “I want to allow people to make choices. Better choices. The good news is that nature is incredibly resilient, and it will come back if we give it room. The question is, are we willing to share the planet?”"

from http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080929/ENTERTAINMENT/809250254?Title=Maya-Lin-s-final-memorial-

Great Blue Heron Clings to Narrow Remains of Destroyed Wildlife Habitat

2009-09-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Charles River, Cambridge MA: Department of Conservation and Recreation and Charles River Conservancy demonstrate how to remove a Great Blue Heron, by destroying natural habitat at the meadow at the BU Bridge.

Beautiful Great Blue Heron clings to sanctuary at razed wildlife habitat at the hidden gem of an Urban Wild, the Goose Meadow at the BU Bridge. Great Blue Herons are endangered by human activity and loss of habitat, such as the "vision" of the Charles River Conservancy, Cambridge MA, that seeks to remove all the messy "bushes" along the Charles, remove all understory, and "dead" trees.

The statuesque form and elegant plumage of the Great Blue Heron make this one of nature's finest achievements. It is not surprising that its Asian relatives have figured prominently in Chinese and Japanese art for centuries. While the sight of the Great Blue Heron in motionless contemplation of a potential meal or sailing majestically across a vast salt marsh is always a rare treat, the species is presently becoming more common in New England.

The Great Blue Heron is relatively quiet compared to other members of its family. The heron releases a soft "kraak" when it is disturbed and in flight. Other calls of the heron include a "fraunk" when the bird is disturbed near its nest, and an "ar" when the heron is greeting other members of its species.

Although the DCR needed a Chapter 91 license for the work here, they proceeded without it. They have destroyed the nesting area that was nearest the BU Bridge. They cut down healthy living trees and bushes, and cleared away "old" nests." They erected barriers so wildlife cannot come up onto the banks from the Charles River.

The Charles River Estuary lies on the International North Atlantic Flyway, and hosts those water birds that continue to migrate, as well as those who have sought sanctuary here due to climate change.

The DCR has repeatedly lied in public hearings and in their written documents, falsely claiming that there is no habitat here, and no wildlife. Clearly, this Great Blue Heron is fishing from the among the remaining false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa).

The DCR maintains that the vegetation they are removing is nothing more than weeds, and is not suitable habitat for the Great Blue Heron, much less any other wildlife. They are clearly wrong.

The DCR has clear-cut the banks of the Charles River, so bike riders can have a nice view of the river, thereby destroying habitat all along the river.

We at CIPAPA are trying to get our elected officials to stop this unlawful and immoral destruction of this precious Urban Wild. However, it would appear that the real estate developers, the contractors who want to build a highway, and the Universities have donated to the campaign war chests of our elected representatives or otherwise benefited them, clouding their critical thinking skills, and making them blind to violations of Mass State Law, the Wetlands Protection Act.

Can you imagine what would happen if wildlife habitat like this was destroyed in Alaska under Gov. Sarah Palin, or in Florida under Jeb Bush? Would not the progressives, the liberal Democrats scream in outrage? Why then, in liberal, Democratic, progressive Cambridge, MA, do they turn their backs on our precious wildlife and thereby permit and even engage in habitat destruction?

I have been informed it is because the DCR wants to put a stormwater drainage system from the BU Bridge adjacent to the Goose Meadow right through the Goose Meadow. However, there is a water treatment plant also adjacent to the BU bridge in Cambridge, right on the other side. Why can't they link to that? Or drain it into the drains they already have on the Memorial Drive highway?

I was told by Jennifer Wright, Cambridge Conservation Commission, in a phone conversation this week, that there is not enough room there on the other side of the bridge. My response is there is not enough room at the Goose Meadow without destroying the wildlife habitat. So, instead of connecting to the water treatment plant, they are destroying the wildlife habitat. And eliminating the wildlife, like this beautiful Great Blue Heron.

Are Obama's stimulus dollars being used for this destruction of the natural wildlife habitat? Do Obama supporters care about it? Are they committed to preserving and protecting wildlife habitat in this era of climate change and habitat loss?

We at CIPAPA strongly oppose the destruction of the Urban Wild on the East side of the BU Bridge, and urge Governor Deval Patrick NOT to sign the Chapter 91 License that will result in ongoing habitat destruction and removal of these beautiful Great Blue Herons from the Charles River Estuary forever. A Great Blue Heron, possibly this same bird, was also photographed in April of this year, and one is still here in September, and may be resident or migrating, or using a partial, or modified migratory pattern due to climate change.

DCR Destroys Wildlife Habitat Without Chapter 91 License Application Approval

2009-09-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Charles River, Cambridge MA: The Cambridge Conservation Commission, once again, fails to preserve and protect this gem of an Urban Wild. Although the Department of Conservation and Recreation obtained a required Chapter 91 license for bridge staging they claimed they needed to repair the roadway, that was allowed only for work on the bridge itself. Staging for repairs need only 25' from the bridge to be used. Here you can see the whole upper area of the meadow has been destroyed, and barriers erected to prevent wildlife from getting onto the banks from the Charles River.

The DCR and the Charles River Conservancy demonstrate how to turn a rich diverse Urban Wildlife habitat into a groomed, manicured "yard," to serve their "vision" of extending Boston University's campus onto the abutting public parkland.

The DCR is not content with stewardship of a mature landscape on the Charles. It is hungry for projects to serve its own bureaucratic needs and its design-development constituents. It will devour that landscape to get a project, as here.

In addition to protecting water quality, the Wetlands Protection Act, WPA, charges the Cambridge Conservation Commission with protection of all habitat in wetland and associated areas, not simply habitat of rare or endangered species.

Please note that this project does not restore habitat critical to the health of our metropolitan area. Rather, it destroys it. Memorial Drive and the Goose Meadow here, now, is indisputably habitat to hawks, small mammals, waterfowl and other birds, including migrants. Their mature trees and woody and herbaceous plants from the river to its northern side provide food and shelter for them.

The plants' beauty and shade constitute human habitat essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual re-creation. Their photosynthesis sequesters carbon from passing cars and improves the air for all.

The trees and smaller plants along the shore and banks also prevent erosion. One, Amorpha fruticosa (false indigo), is used elsewhere in the United States for the erosion control that is central to water quality here as well. The DCR's take on this plant is more than disturbing: false indigo holds the bank for free, but the DCR works to eradicate it as "invasive." Along the Charles, the DCR cuts it down and, when money is available, cuts it out entirely. The DCR treats resprouts from the deep-growing roots that make it so valuable for erosion control with Rodeo.

On its face this plan is contrary to the Wetlands Protection Act.

Urban Wild in Cambridge's Goose Meadow a Rich, Diverse Habitat, Breeding and Nesting Area for Mallard Ducks

2009-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here are stills, as well as the video, because the video goes by so fast. This activity starts in April, when the Drakes begin to select their mates, includes lots of flirting, before mating, and continues after with pairing and nesting.

Lucky we are, here in Cambridge, that all we need do is walk down to the riverbank along the Charles River Estuary to see Mother Nature's miracles in full display.

Marilyn Wellons Explains How the DCR Plans to Destroy Mature Trees Along Memorial Drive

2009-09-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Kathy Podgers comments on DCR plans to destroy hundreds of healthy mature trees on Memorial Drive, along the Charles River in Cambridge:

Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation is progressing with its plans to destroy HUNDREDS of healthy mature trees along Memorial Drive in Cambridge MA. Marilyn Wellons of CIPAPA and Friends of the White Geese is not your "ordinary" tree hugger. She has attended most, if not all meetings held by the DCR in their vain attempt to garner public support for their destructive policies.

Not only has the DCR failed to get the public support it desired, but thousands have written, signed petitions, and just plain voiced negative opinions during public testimony at public meetings. Still, the DCR bulldozes ahead, I am not exaggerating, with the development of this precious riverfront resource.

Here is an excerpt from Marilyn's recent letter to the Cambridge Conservation Commission:

"In addition to protecting water quality, the Wetlands Protection Act, WPA, charges the Commission with protection of all habitat in wetland and associated areas, not simply habitat of rare or endangered species. Please note, then, that this project does not restore habitat critical to the health of our metropolitan area. Rather, it destroys it. Memorial Drive here, now, is indisputably habitat to hawks, small mammals, waterfowl and other birds, including migrants. Its mature trees and woody and herbaceous plants from the river to its northern side provide food and shelter for them. The plants beauty and shade constitute human habitat essential for our physical, mental, and spiritual re-creation. Their photosynthesis sequesters carbon from passing cars and improves the air for all. The trees and smaller plants along the shore and banks also prevent erosion. One, Amorpha fruticosa, is used elsewhere in the United States for the erosion control that is central to water quality here as well. The discussion of this plant at 3.3 Invasive Species is more than disturbing. A. fruticosa holds the bank for free. The DCR will eradicate it. Resprouts from the deep-growing roots that make it so valuable for erosion control will be treated with Rodeo. On its face this plan is contrary to the WPA."

And comments from Marilyn......

"The DCR is not content with stewardship of a mature landscape on the Charles. It is hungry for projects to serve its own bureaucratic needs and its design-development constituents. It will devour that landscape to get a project, as here."

Estimates of $6 to $8 millions of taxpayers’ money will be wasted on this wanton destruction of habitat. It is ironic, considering that the DCR recently cried poor when they abruptly closed 21 of 27 public swimming pools around the state in Mid August, in the midst of a hot humid heat wave. The pools shut down were in Lowell, Lawrence, Everett, Somerville, Brighton, Brocton, Worchester, Springfield, So Hadley, among others.

Cambridge Urban Wild Stripped of Vegetation

2009-09-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

White Geese and other waterfowl retreat to sole remaining habitat.

This was the breeding ground and refuge for waterfowl, home to rabbits and bees, hunting ground for hawks, place for human physical and spiritual re-creation.

Not on the DCR's list of priorities.

The DCR here applies its scorched earth policy to the urban wild at the goose meadow. This clearance is unnecessary since equipment for the BU Bridge repair could be put under the Reid overpass and the stormwater system does not need to go through the goose meadow. It could connect directly to the abutting MWRA plant west of the bridge.

View to Reid Overpass, where staging could be put.

Cambridge Conservation Commission Observes Vegitation at Goose Meadow October 2008

2009-09-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

"the law says a weed is wrong and shall be killed.
The weeds say life is a white and lovely thing."

Carl Sandburg, "Weeds"

View of the goose meadow as it was before the DCR's second illegal destruction of it on August, 2009.

The plants here are nature's own restoration of the site after the DCR's illegal destruction of October, 1999. In the intervening ten years birds, the wind and water have trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and annuals that create habitat for breeding waterfowl, rabbits, hawks, bees and other insects, and humans in search of contact with the truly natural world.

Here are asters in the foreground, just about to bloom. Ailanthus trees and false indigo beyond, with the taller maple and elm in the background. Not blooming are Missouri primrose and smartweed.

The graceful leaves of the ailanthus, left foreground, and the maple and mulberry saplings to the right buffer the goose meadow from the busy intersection just outside.

More asters and alianthus, and a knotweed.

View from the goose meadow to the Memorial Drive Reid Overpass at the BU Bridge.

BU Bridge Staging: Hearing At City Hall Annex at 8:30pm Monday Nov 17

2008-11-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is appearing before the Cambridge Conservation Commission this coming Monday night, November 17, at 8:30 pm, in the second floor conference room, 344 Broadway, corner of Inman Street.

The DCR is asking for permission to put staging for BU Bridge repairs and a stormwater drainage system in the urban wild abutting the downstream side of the bridge. The work is set to begin in early 2009, take 3 years, and destroy this amazing habitat.

The wild abuts a bridge with 30,000 vehicles a day and thousands more pedestrian and bike trips. It's home to rabbits, hunting grounds for red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks, a nesting place for migrating songbirds like Orioles and for waterfowl like Mallard ducks and Canada geese as well as the White Geese. Commuters by whatever means know and love this lovely meadow hidden among the traffic.

Despite it's responsibility of stewardship of this wildlife habitat, DCR doesn't seem to share the feelings of area residents and visitors. The staging and stormwater system DCR proposes could go elsewhere: the Reid Overpass can accommodate the staging, and the stormwater system could go on the upstream side of the bridge or connect to the DCR's drainage system at the Overpass rather than drain through the urban wild.

The DCR is also forging ahead with the project without adequate provision for human habitat--the agency has no plan for safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists during construction. The agency told a meeting in Boston they'll study traffic patterns during the 3 years of work to determine what's best, rather than figure it out beforehand.

It's important for as many of us as possible come to the meeting Monday night to bear witness to the importance of our urban wild. We city dwellers don't have easy access to the habitats of officially rare or endangered species, but we do have this little miracle with its bunny rabbits et al.. Whatever decision the Conservation Commission makes, it will be important that it be a very public one.

It's better to attend in person, but if that's impossible, contact Conservation Commission Director Jennifer Wright with your opinion: jwright@cambridgema.gov.

Looking for Volunteers for Blog

2008-11-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks. Sorry to be so slow in getting our blog up and running. Marilyn has been bust attending meetings, and typing up notes.

We are looking for volunteers to help with the blog. We have lote of photos, and detailed information, but want to present it in a timely way.

Bloging is fairly easy, there is a simple "template" that you type into, and then click "publish post" and it come out like this!

So, if you have some time, and a desire to try your creative skills on our blog, send us an email to CIPAPA@yahoo.com

Captains Island in Cambridge, MA

2008-07-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Captains Island is the high ground and filled tidal wetlands in Cambridge, Massachusetts, otherwise known as Magazine Beach, on the Charles River.