Earth Day/ Arbor Day Extravaganza!
April 8th, 2011Greening the City Saturday
April 30, 2011
Featuring:
- Boston Tree Party Apple Tree Planting
- Walk/Ride to the River (co-sponsored by the City of Somerville)
- City of Somerville Spring Clean-up
- Mystic River Path Clean-up (co-sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association)
- SomerGreen Festival
- Bike Donation Drive to benefit Groundwork Somerville and Bikes Not Bombs
Boston Tree Party Events
Various Locations
9:00am Bike Parade leaves Groundwork Somerville (21 Properzi Way, Somerville)
10:00am Somerville Climate Action Apple Tree Planting @ Foss Park
10:30am Walk/Ride to the Mystic River from Foss Park
11:00am Groundwork Somerville Apple Tree Planting @ Blessing of the Bay Boathouse
Greening the City Events at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on the Mystic
32 Shore Drive, Somerville, MA 02145
9am-3pm Bike Donation Drive to benefit Groundwork Somerville and Bikes Not Bombs
10am-12pm Spring Clean-up and Garden Raising at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse
12pm-2pm SomerGreen Festival with free food (if you participated in the Spring Clean-up events) and music and tables representing green organizations and businesses from around Somerville at Blessing of the Bay
Mystic River Path Clean-up
Join the Mystic River Watershed Association and Groundwork Somerville for a clean-up along the Mystic River Path adjacent to the Assembly Square Mall from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. To participate, meet up in the northwest corner of Christmas Tree Shop parking lot at Assembly Square.
Participating Organizations:
Groundwork Somerville, Somerville Climate Action, City of Somerville, Boston Tree Party, MyRWA, and Bikes Not Bombs
Join Groundwork Somerville for the 1st Annual Greening the City River Clean Up, Tree Planting, and Festival on April 30th from 9am-3pm with Somerville Climate Action, The Boston Tree Party, the Mystic River Watershed Association, Bikes Not Bombs, and the City of Somerville. The day kicks off with Boston Tree Party events at 10am at Foss Park followed by a Walk, Ride, and Roll to the River for a second tree planting at 11am at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on the Mystic. (Trees will be delivered by members of Groundwork Somerville Green Team on bicycle!) Stick around for the SomerGreen Festival on the Mystic featuring free food, music, and representatives from Somerville green and environmental organizations. Don’t forget to bring a bike to donate to the Groundwork Somerville Green Team and Bikes Not Bombs!
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Thanks to TriCAP for posting this great information an all the Mystic Earth Day/ Arbor Day events!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Cohen
April 11, 2011 781-322-4125 x 237
Local Organizations Team Up for Second Annual Mystic Community Earth Day
Malden, MA – April 11, 2011 – Several organizations are joining together for the second consecutive year to coordinate numerous events for Earth Day in the Lower Mystic River Watershed in Medford, Somerville, Malden, Everett, Chelsea, and East Boston. Comprising the “Mystic Community Earth Day,” the events will take place on Saturday, April 30th in honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole. All events are free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed to complete this important work.
The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with over half a million people living in its 76 square miles. Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded and access to the riverfront is limited. Despite these challenges, residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities.
This year marks the 41st Earth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence. That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 2011 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event 41 years ago.
The Mystic Community Earth Day will include clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings. For more information about any of the Mystic Community Earth Day events, please contact the respective coordinator from each organization (see below).
Events will include the following:
Malden-Everett
Bike to the Sea is partnering with Groundwork Somerville, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP), and Cambridge Health Alliance to organize a trail clearing and clean-up around the proposed Northern Strand Community Trail between Medford Street in Malden and Prescott Street in Everett, as well as Cambridge Health Alliance’s adjacent Malden River Walk from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. Refreshments will be available for volunteers at a riverfront picnic around 1:00 p.m. Contact: Nick Cohen, Tri-CAP EJ Coordinator, ncohen@tri-cap.org, (781) 322-4125 x 237.
Medford
Friends of the Mystic River will hold its 16th annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the vicinity of Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, and the Wellington Greenway in the Mystic River Reservation. Meet in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium to sign in and pick up bags, gloves, pokers and instructions. Contact: www.fomr.org, call 781-391-2604 or Mystic02155@hotmail.com.
Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center is partnering with Green Medford and Medford City Hall to clean up litter and plant flowers in Medford Square from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Meet at the bus shelter on Riverside Avenue, next to the Salem Street Burial Ground. Contact: Anna Nguyen, Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center, 781.395.7131, xtremeninja1@yahoo.com.
The City of Medford will hold an Arbor Day event on Friday, April 29, consisting of vista pruning and the removal of invasive species along the Mystic River in Riverbend Park. Bill Bernardinelli of Lawns Plus, and Joe Turner of Turner Tree, will lead the project as part of the Massachusetts Arbor Day of Service. Volunteers are needed to assist on the ground. Contact: Carey Duques, Medford’s Environmental Agent, cduques@medford.org or 781-393-2137 or Aggie Tuden, Medford Tree Warden, atuden@medford.org, 781-395-8695.
There will be a Drop Off Event for used/broken electronics and appliances from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Brooks School parking lot. Items will be unloaded from vehicles and sent to a facility for proper recycling. Fees are tiny and per category: $5 for small electronics such as iPods and computer mice (any number); $10 for medium electronics (e.g., laptops, phones); $15 large electronics (e.g., microwaves, dishwashers); $20 All TVs.
Also, Tufts University will be holding its Earth Day Festival on Friday, April 22 from 12:00-4:00 p.m, on the Academic Quad. There will be music, food, recycled crafting, clothing and light bulb swap, bike-powered smoothies, and more. Contact: Signe Porteshawver at (563) 940-1047 or signeporteshawver@gmail.com.
Everett
Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. and the Everett Beautification Committee, Everett Kiwanis, and Recylebank will sponsor a citywide Cleanup Day, Saturday April 30h, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers are to meet at Glendale Park for a light breakfast snack and get a cleanup assignment. This year’s cleanup will again focus on cleaning of area parks and tot lots as well as entryways into the city. Contact: Matt Laidlaw, Everett Director of Communications, 617-394-2270, matt.laidlaw@ci.everett.ma.us.
Somerville
Groundwork Somerville and the Mystic River Watershed Association are joining forces to clean the Mystic River Path in Somerville on April 30. This community event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., along the path adjacent to the Christmas Tree Shop at Assembly Square Mall (177 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA). Participants should park/meet at the northwest corner of the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot. Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. This co-sponsored cleanup is among several events occurring along the Mystic River in Somerville on April 30. For more information about these other events, please contact Groundwork Somerville. Contact: Brad Arndt, Groundwork Somerville, Brad@GroundworkSomerville.org or Beth Meserve, Mystic River Watershed Association, Beth@MysticRiver.org, 781-316-3438.
The City of Somerville will also have a citywide clean-up from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., culminating with a community barbeque and band concert at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
East Boston-Chelsea
The Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG), a partnership between Chelsea Green Space and Recreational Committee and East Boston’s Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, will hold the annual citywide clean-ups in both Chelsea and East Boston.
On Friday, April 29th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the residents of East Boston will meet at the Condor Street Urban Wild. Snacks and refreshments will be provided at the Condor Street Urban Wild. Contact: Melinda Alvarado-Vega, (617) 567-5882, mvega@noahcdc.org (East Boston)
On Saturday, April 30th from 9AM to 12 Noon, the Chelsea Green Space & Recreational Committee along with the City of Chelsea and Chelsea Neighborhood Developers will host a city wide clean-up in honor of Earth Day. We will gather in front of Chelsea’s City Hall (500 Broadway) at 9am, followed by a celebration at the Creekside Commons Park (behind Beth Israel – 1000 Broadway Chelsea) at Noon. There will be food, music and much more! Contact: Yaritza Gonzalez, (617) 889-6080 x 107, yarig@chelseacollab.org (Chelsea)
Event Schedule for Mystic Community Earth Day:
Friday 4/29/11
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM East Boston Urban Wild Event (East Boston)
TBD City of Medford Tree Pruning (Medford)
Saturday, 4/30/11
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM City of Everett Clean-Up (Everett)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Mystic River Clean-Up (Somerville)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Chelsea Clean-Up (Chelsea)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM City of Medford Drop Off Event (Medford)
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM Mystic River/Wellington Greenway Clean-Up (Medford)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM City of Somerville Clean-Up (Somerville)
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Malden River Area Clean-Up (Malden/Everett)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM City of Somerville Blessing of the Bay Boathouse Barbeque and Band Concert (Somerville)
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Medford Square Clean-Up (Medford)
Press release contact:
Nick Cohen
Environmental Justice Community Organizing Coordinator
Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP)
Mystic River Watershed Collaborative
110 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 322-4125 (X 237)
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Tsongas Pushes Priorities for Concord and Lawrence in Hearing with National Parks Director Jarvis
April 7th, 2011PRESS RELEASE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN NIKI TSONGAS
MASSACHUSETTS FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Contact John Noble: phone: 202.225.3411; email: john.noble@mail.house.gov
Tsongas Pushes Priorities for Concord and Lawrence in Hearing with National Parks Director Jarvis
WASHINGTON, DC – March 10, 2011 – The House Natural Resources Committee today held a hearing to examine the National Park Service budget for the coming fiscal year. The hearing featured testimony from National Parks Director Jon Jarvis. During the hearing, Fifth District Congresswoman Niki Tsongas asked Director Jarvis about efforts that the National Parks Service (NPS) is engaging in to expand green spaces and parks in urban areas. Congresswoman Tsongas cited Groundwork Lawrence, a nonprofit group that works to create green space in Lawrence, as an example that should be supported by the NPS.
Last year, Tsongas introduced the Groundwork USA Trust Act of 2010 which would strengthen the existing Groundwork USA (GWUSA) program and provides federal funding to local communities and nonprofit organizations for green-space projects. The idea for the legislation was developed with Groundwork Lawrence. The Groundwork USA initiative was launched by the National Park Service in 1996 to transform blighted urban neighborhoods into parks and livable open spaces, while creating jobs in communities with high unemployment. Click here to a view a YouTube clip of Tsongas and Jarvis talking about Groundwork Lawrence.
Tsongas also emphasized to Director Jarvis the importance of preserving the soundscapes of Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord. Nearby, Hanscom Field Airport recently announced plans to double the private jet infrastructure at the airport. These plans represent a threat to the historically and environmentally significant areas adjacent to the airport from increased jet aviation and the resulting noise and air pollution. Click here to a view a YouTube clip of Tsongas and Jarvis talking about efforts to protect Minute Man National Historic Park.
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John W. Noble
Communications Director
Rep. Niki Tsongas
GW Lawrence and Farmer Dave’s CSA options
April 7th, 2011Farmer Dave’s of Dracut offers a CSA program with multiple share types and sizes and various pickup locations, including one in Somerville. Flexible payment plans, subsidized share prices, and EBT/SNAP/Food Stamp payments are available through the Groundwork Share-a-Share™ Program. Visit Farmer Dave’s (www.farmerdaves.net) for more information and for online registration with the option to pay online with a credit card, and visit www.groundworklawrence.org/csa or contact Anna (arickards@groundworklawrence.org/(978) 974-0770) at Groundwork Lawrence for more information on receiving subsidized shares.
Wednesdays
3:00-6:30 PM – Choice Style Shares
3:00-7:00 PM – Pre-Boxed Shares
- Vegetable Shares: mid-June to the end of October (20 weeks)
- Fruit Share: early/mid-August to end of October (13 weeks)
- Late Fall Share: early November to mid-December (7 deliveries)
Pickup Location (Vegetable Shares and Fruit Shares):
Architectural Openings Inc (Parking lot)
16 Garfield Ave. ( Map )
Somerville, MA 02145
Pickup Location (Late Fall Share Only):
Cross Street Senior Center (lobby)
165 Broadway ( Map )
Somerville, MA 02145
Home and Office Delivery Available: Metro Pedal Power will bring your CSA share right to your home or office via their human-powered tricycles. Please contact them directly to arrange pickup. www.metropedalpower.com phone: (617) 776 3700
Rally April 7th! Who will decide the future of Somerville?
April 7th, 2011Who will decide the future of Somerville?
Who will be able to stay?
Come to the
Rally on Thursday, April 7 at 5:30 PM at City Hall
We don’t need more luxury condos!
15 families & neighborhood stores forced to move:
Who decides future of our city?
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OR
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The owners of 378 – 390 Somerville Ave. want to turn their block in Union Square into 30 residential condos and 4 retail condos. The businesses and low income tenants who live there will need to move and can’t afford to buy the luxury condos.
Rally to Prevent Displacement
Thursday, April 7th at 5:30PM rally, 6 PM hearing
City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
The Somerville Planning Board is scheduled to meet on May 5th at 6 PM* to hear public comment on this plan to demolish these homes and businesses and build condos.
* The date of the hearing was and may be postponed again; but the rally will still happen on April 7th.
Come to the hearing to let them know what you think!
Somerville needs a plan for the future that includes renters and families.
Please contact these Aldermen and the planning board to let them know what you think:
o Alderwoman Maryann M. Heuston (Ward2) 617-492-5331 mheuston@hotmail.com
o Alderman Thomas F. Taylor (Ward 3) 617-776-1618 TFTAld32@aol.com
o Somerville Planning Board 617-625-6600 ex. 2500 dpereira@somervillema.gov
For more info: Call Mary at 617 776-5931 x230 or email mregan@somervillecdc.org
What’s a River Worth?
April 7th, 2011To many ardent river lovers, thinking about economics is an almost painful thing, kind of like snagging your thumb on a treble hook or finding out that the permit application you filed five years ago to run the Grand Canyon was lost and never actually arrived.
But to Mike Fremont, ignoring economics has always been a mistake for river advocates.
Don’t get us wrong: Mike doesn’t have a pointy head and isn’t an ivory tower intellectual. Nor has he ever worked for a DC think tank.
Mike really likes rivers which he sees as “native habitat for canoe and kayak racers.” And a little pain has never been an obstacle that he took seriously.
At 89, Mike still races canoes three times per week near his home in Cincinnati. How does he do it? It helps a lot that Mike not only ran a marathon at the age of 88 — but also holds the world record for that age!
Few people in this country have deeper roots in the river protection community than Mike. He was a founder of Rivers Unlimited in 1972. He was there when American Rivers started the next year. And, of course, he was also there in 1988, when his friend, Phil Wallin, created River Network.
For at least the past quarter century, Mike’s real passion has been demonstrating that rivers are, quite literally, worth protecting. Starting in 1984, when he took part in an American Land Forum conference led by Kevin Coyle (later to become one of River Network’s early staff members), Mike has keenly understood that protecting rivers requires an ability to speak the “cost-benefit” and “contingent valuation” language of economists that resonates so well with local business leaders and government officials.
In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that Mike is primarily responsible for the fact that the state of Ohio has become a national leader in river resource economics. He has worked closely with economists at Ohio State University for over a decade to build a solid base of research that is compelling not only to residents of the Buckeye state but to the nation as a whole.
Consider:
A study of a $2 million one-time investment in creating a bike path along the Little Miami River in Cincinnati found $6 million – each year – in economic benefits to the local community as recreational users invest in the gas, food and equipment to enjoy their day along the river. Because the Little Miami is also a National and State Wild and Scenic River and meets Clean Water Act standards so that river users feel safe, you can add in another $2 million from canoe and kayak rentals per year. What’s a river worth? In this case, it works out to something like just over $100,000 net per river mile per year.
River protection is also very good news for local tax rolls and real estate agents. In 1975, the New River in North Carolina was selected to be a National Wild and Scenic River. Property values at the time, along the river, were about $350 an acre. After designation as a national river, the real estate industry hyped the natural beauty of the river as ideal for vacation and retirement homes, and in a few years the land along the river went to $10,000 for a riverfront lot – perhaps 1/3 of an acre – or 90 times as much as it had been.
According to Mike: “The river hadn’t changed. Its image had. What more could any Chamber of Commerce ask? Any banker, developer or real estate agent instinctively knows.”
Mike quickly cautions that the economic valuation of rivers isn’t meant to trigger a land rush bonanza of new development. But the impact of increasing valuations of existing development on local tax rolls can be huge. And that means more resources for local schools, fire departments and other services.
Still, Mike wasn’t satisfied to simply be able to say that preserving a river makes good sense. He also wanted to show that restoring a river – often, a very costly project – still pencils out.
His next project was to focus on Mill Creek, which runs through a heavily industrialized section of Cincinnati, applying the same economic logic that made Wild & Scenic designation of the Little Miami now seem like such an obviously “duh” decision.
Mike galvanized support for another economic study that found that local officials could expect more than $100 million increase in property values, a $3.5 million annual increase in recreational use and an estimated increase in property tax revenues of $5.5 million. There is now a $1 million per year investment in restoring Mill Creek, including streambank restoration, reforestation, a bikeway, playing fields and more.
Still not satisfied, Mike took things to another level, asking “How much would it cost to change the image of the Ohio River?” And, if we changed the image to “clean river” then “what would happen to the river-related economy”?
Currently, many boaters and recreationists eschew the Ohio because of high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, opting for cleaner lakes in nearby Kentucky and Tennessee.
A “river-long” economic analysis proved too costly, but Mike rustled up enough funding to begin to answer the question with regard to the reach of the Ohio through and near Cincinnati, where a majority of the bacterial pollution is locally generated. The numbers still look favorable, even with major investments in new infrastructure. And, most importantly, the study showed that the public was willing to pay for cleaner water.
Most recently, Mike has taken a stab at estimating what all of this means economically for the nation as a whole. He’ll grant that not everyone fishes, boats, kayaks or swims. Or that everyone wants to live on a river (nor would we want them to!) But, suppose that just 6.5% of the nation’s river miles could ultimately qualify for national and/or state designation as a scenic river (right now, the percentage is more like 1%). There would be 0.065 x 3,500,000 miles of river or 227,500 miles of river nationally. Times $100,000 per mile, that is $22,750,000,000 dollars a year.
River Network is now building on the pioneering river resource economics work that might as well be called “Fremontics.” With support from EPA Region 5, we’re looking at the Clinton River watershed outside Detroit, Michigan, with an eye toward documenting how “green infrastructure” – the greenways, blueways and natural wetlands that Mike Fremont has espoused for decades – can create a powerful – and cost-effective – solution to the toxic stormwater runoff that pollutes so many of our cities. We’re hoping to do similar analyses in Louisville, Ky. and other communities throughout the U.S.
River Network President Todd Ambs added “I’ve known Mike for more than 20 years and he’s been a true visionary in this area. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
A HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors of the Greening the City Gala!
April 7th, 2011basil tree catering
amal nicoli
ball square fine wine
blue cloud gallery
boston organics
boston derby
boston militia
cambridge brewing company
chive sustainable event design and catering
cuisine en locale
downtown wine + spirits
danish pastry house
diaper lab
eat at jumbo’s
evan webster ink
flora
QRSTs
greenward
highland kitchen
hoff’s pastries
johnny d’s
vinnie’s on broadway
ms walker
museum of science
patsy’s pastries
portland harbor hotel
pretty things beer and ale project
sabur
somerville local first
somerville theatre
taza chocolate
tf murphy’s
tufts university
the caning shoppe
the three ring binders
ups store – somerville ave
when pigs fly
winter hill liquors
GWS April Vacation Week Program in the Patch
April 6th, 2011Last week the Somerville Patch invited parents to check out some of the awesome April Vacation programs happening around the city.
For “growers and outdoorsy types,” they recommend parents check out Groundwork Somerville’s own “Spring into Action!” camp for second and third grade students. They’re right – we’d love to plant, play, and cook with your children during April Vacation! You can find registration forms and more information by clicking here.
Initiating Community Change Training
April 6th, 2011The Regional Center for Healthy Communities (MetroWest) invites you to a training on: Initiating Community Change With the Beehive Collective
To register, email: rchctrainings@healthier-communities.org or call 617.441.0700
Initiating community change can often seem intimidating and overwhelming to try and tackle as an individual or organization. The Regional center is very excited to host a training by The Beehive Collective featuring Joshua Kahn Russell. They will provide you with practical skills, tools and examples of how to mobilize change in your community. The Collective is a completely volunteer-run grassroots organization based in Maine focused on social justice issues, community mobilization and change. They provide healthy visual representation of the complex issues our society is facing (if you’re not sure exactly what that looks like please check out their amazing website below!). They will share with us their graphic making methods, organizing strategy and hands-on skills, combined with stories and inspiration from across different social movements they work with.
We also have the privilege of welcoming Joshua Kahn Russell as a co-presenter. Russell is an organizer working to bridge movements for ecological balance and racial justice. He is a strategy and non-violent direct action trainer and has experience coordinating and building capacity for coalitions across the nation with a focus on youth involvement. Get ready for a high-energy, interactive, graphic-based picture-experience
Topics may include:
* Historical case studies to understand social movements
* Using best practices to build, maintain and grow a coalition
* Building alignment within your group and ensuring sustainable change
* The Beehive Collectives’ examples of successful ways to use creative resources to mobilize community change
* And you can share your successes and challenges in promoting community change!
Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Location: The Watertown Free Public Library 123 Main Street Watertown, MA.
Trainers: The Beehive Collective featuring Joshua Kahn Russell from AID & ABET. You can find more information on The Beehive Collective @ http://www.beehivecollective.org/ And Joshua Kahn Russell @ http://aidandabet.org/roster/russell-joshua-kahn
Cost: The workshop is free. However there is a $35 fee for no-shows. So please let us know in advance if you will be unable to attend!
To register: Email rchctrainings@healthier-communities.org your name, organization and contact details or by calling 617.441.0700 and asking to register for the Initiating Community Change Workshop.
If you have any questions about the content of the training or would like assistance determining if this work shop is for you, please call Elizabeth Theriault at the Regional Center – 617.441.0700.
Tai Dinnan quoted in the Somerville Patch!
April 6th, 2011Check it out here: http://somerville.patch.com/articles/heavy-snow-and-rain-damaged-over-200-of-somervilles-trees
Heavy Snow and Rain Damaged Over 200 of Somerville’s Trees
Somerville had to cut down 10 damaged trees on public property this year and might have to cut down more next month.
By Amanda Kersey | Email the author | March 31, 2011
Now that most of the snow has melted, the City of Somerville and community gardeners have realized the scope of tree damage caused by the series of snowstorms that swept the city this winter.
“Wet snow and heavy rain damaged more than 200 trees on public property and forced the city to cut down 10,” said the commissioner of the city’s public works department.
Commissioner Stanley Koty said that the highway department’s tree crew has almost finished trimming damaged limbs and clearing fallen ones that had been buried in the snow. He said that next month an arborist would assess other damaged trees to see if they should be cut down.
Meanwhile, Groundwork Somerville Gardens Coordinator Tai Dinnan said that this year’s tree damage was greater than that of recent years. The damage wasn’t as noticeable this year, she said, because of the high snow accumulation. But when it melted, fallen and damaged branches because more apparent.
Before Groundwork Somerville hosted the Maple Syrup Boil Down in February at the Somerville Community Growing Center, Dinnan said that the center had to remove broken branches and prune trees. She said pruning would allow damaged branches to grow back.
Dinnan said that the damage caused by heavy snow may have added another spring clean-up task for community gardeners but didn’t jeopardize the vitality of the gardens.
“The gardens aren’t very vulnerable in the winter,” she said. “Whatever is important in the garden is underground and protected. What got damaged this year were cars.”
Indeed, Commissioner Koty said that about five people reported car damage caused by fallen branches, though that number was down significantly from last year.
Dinnan said that the city’s trees fared better than ones further inland because the ocean and Somerville’s tightly packed population stabilizes the weather.
But Dinnan said that some of the city’s practices, namely pruning trees to install telephone wires and salting the streets, were environmentally “unfriendly.” Koty said that de-icing salt doesn’t damage trees because the city sprays a neutralizing chemical around the trees before winter begins.
Koty said that Somerville residents should dispose of fallen branches or trees by cutting them up, bundling them and putting them out with the trash.
The city’s 2010 Environmental Service Guide details how to dispose of yard waste.
What tree damage have you seen on your street? Tell us in the comments.
Earth Day Mystic River Cleanup, April 30, 9 AM-12:30 PM
April 3rd, 2011Groundwork Somerville and the Mystic River Watershed Association are joining forces to clean the Mystic River Path in Somerville on April 30. This community event will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM along the path adjacent to the Christmas Tree Shop at Assembly Square Mall (177 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA).
Participants should park/meet at the northwest corner of the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot. (Click here for a map.)
Supplies, light snacks, and water will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome!
Contacts:
- Brad Arndt, Groundwork Somerville, Brad@GroundworkSomerville.org, (617) 455-1127
- Beth Meserve, Mystic River Watershed Association, Beth@MysticRiver.org, (781) 316-3438
Many Earth Day-related events are happening throughout the Mystic River Watershed on April 30. Find an event near you on MyRWA’s website.
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Reduce your carbon footprint by taking the bus or subway! The #90 and #95 bus provide access to Assembly Square. The cleanup site is also within walking distance of the Sullivan Square subway station. Find out more information at www.mbta.com.