Emerald Necklace Conservancy Inc

TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE EMERALD NECKLACE PARKS FOR ALL.

OLMSTED TREE SOCIETY - THE OLMSTED TREE SOCIETY WAS FOUNDED IN 2013 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF HEALTHY TREES IN THE EMERALD NECKLACE PARKS - CHARLESGATE PARK, BACK BAY FENS, RIVERWAY, OLMSTED PARK, JAMAICA POND, FRANKLIN PARK AND ALONG THE PARKWAYS. THESE EFFORTS ARE MADE THROUGH SELECTIVE PRUNING AND SOIL ENHANCEMENT, AS WELL AS THE PLANTING OF NEW TREES. ALL WORK IS MANAGED BY CONSERVANCY STAFF IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CONSERVANCY'S PUBLIC PARTNERS, BOSTON PARKS & RECREATION, BROOKLINE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE AND THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION.

MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION - THE EMERALD NECKLACE CONSERVANCY ADVOCATES FOR AND CONSERVES THE EMERALD NECKLACE THROUGH PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS TO RESTORE AND RENEW THE LANDSCAPE, WATERWAYS AND PARKWAYS OF THE OLMSTED-DESIGNED PARK SYSTEM. THE CONSERVANCY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS, ORGANIZES AND IMPLEMENTS MAINTENANCE WORK TO PRESERVE THE NATURALISTIC BEAUTY OF OLMSTED'S PARKS AND MAINTAIN THE GARDENS, PATHWAYS AND OTHER FEATURES ADDED IN LATER YEARS. THE CONSERVANCY BRINGS TOGETHER THE MANY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARK PARTNERS TO PRIORITIZE, FUND AND IMPLEMENT RESTORATION INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM.

EDUCATION AND VISITOR SERVICES - THE CONSERVANCY'S SHATTUCK EMERALD NECKLACE VISITOR CENTER IN THE BACK BAY FENS PROVIDES VISITOR SERVICES SUCH AS MAPS, DIRECTIONS, EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS ON THE HISTORY OF THE EMERALD NECKLACE, PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND A DRINKING WATER FOUNTAIN. IT IS ALSO THE ORIGIN OF MANY FREE DOCENT-LED TOURS, ONSITE PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SUCH AS OPENING OUR DOORS ON THE FENWAY AND PORCHFEST.YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE CANOPY CLASSROOM - A FIELD TRIP PROGRAM FOR SECOND- AND THIRD-GRADERS IN BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS; THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS INTERESTED IN HONING LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SETTING, AND SUMMERTIME GREEN TEAM, WHICH PAIRS HANDS ON LEARNING OF HORTICULTURE IN THE PARKS WITH CAREER EXPLORATION, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE APPRECIATION.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - TUESDAYS WITH ROSES WEEKLY VOLUNTEER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM OF THE ARTHUR SHURCLIFF-DESIGNED KELLEHER ROSE GARDEN KEEPS THIS HISTORIC GARDEN BLOOMING AND BEAUTIFUL FROM JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER. BACK BAY FENS - MOTHER'S REST SLOPE RESTORATION PROJECT IS A MODEL SLOPE MANAGEMENT PROJECT TO RESTORE AND PROTECT SLOPE AREAS FROM EROSION AND HARMFUL FOOT TRAFFIC. SPRING POND WILDFLOWER MEADOW MAINTENANCE IN OLMSTED PARK KEEPS THIS FORMER SKATING RINK MAINTAINED AS A MEADOW HABITAT FOR BUTTERFLIES, BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS.PARK ADVISORS - THE PARK ADVISORS ARE THE CONSERVANCY'S PRIMARY COLLABORATIVE ADVOCACY AND WORKING GROUP. COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 23 COMMUNITY-BASED PARK GROUPS AND INSTITUTIONS ABUTTING THE EMERALD NECKLACE, THE BODY OF ADVISORS HELPS SET THE CONSERVANCY'S WORK AGENDA FOR THE PARKS, ADVOCATES FOR STANDARDS, POLICIES, PROJECTS AND PARKS FUNDING, AND CONTRIBUTES TO PROGRAMMING THAT SUPPORTS THE CONSERVANCY'S MISSION, AS WELL AS THE MISSIONS OF ITS PUBLIC PARTNERS. THE ADVISORS AND THEIR WORKING GROUPS MEET A TOTAL OF 22 TIMES ANNUALLY.