A team of New England Wild Flower Society’s conservation staff and volunteers, the city of Cambridge’s Water Department, and contractors are working to transform the area surrounding Fresh Pond Reservoir into a healthy habitat.

With the goal of making vast improvements to the health of habitats surrounding the city’s largest open space, the City of Cambridge designated funding and people to improve the compacted soils and degraded habitats resulting from the long history of human use, including the presence of the ice industry and hotels along the shores.

The team has improved five primary wetland areas to better handle storm water, which flows into the reservation from the surrounding streets. These wetlands slow and help filter the water before the water enters the reservoir. The project seeks to establish these areas as diverse habitats for plants and animals, but invasive plant species are continuous threats.

New England Wild Flower Society conservation staff members, Ted Elliman and Jessica Korecki, working with the City of Cambridge Water Department identified invasive plant  species incursions affecting these wetland areas and detailed methods of controlling them. The Society’s conservation staff are helping to eradicate these invasive species.

“We are very excited,” says Jessica Korecki, “about the dedication of City of Cambridge and its Water Department to improving the habitats surrounding the Fresh Pond Reservoir for the enjoyment of the hundreds of people who visit the park every day and for the wildlife that depend upon the park. I observed numerous bird species, including cormorant and great blue heron, and encountered small furry creatures such as rabbits, and many pollinators,” continued Jessica.  “This is a great opportunity to push the balance toward native plant species in the area, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the City of Cambridge Water Department.”

Dedicated volunteer Elizabeth Wylde made the connection of the expertise of the Society and the City of Cambridge Water Department to educate staff and the public on the appearance, growth habits, and management techniques of invasive plant species.