MONDAY - We went to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and learned about plants in the Back Bay Fens, a restoration/conservation project at Mothers Rest, history, and the Gatehouse that controls the flow of water in and out of the Back Bay Fens.
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On our way to Mothers Rest, we learned about this sycamore tree. |
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Sycamore tree bark looks like this. |
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We also learned about Beech trees. Here we are looking at two Beech trees. The bark looks like elephant skin and the base of the tree looks like elephant feet. |
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This is one of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy youth talking with us about phragmites, and invasive plant. |
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We learned about the slope restoration project at Mothers Rest. |
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Back to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy office, where it was warm, we learned more about the Back Bay Fens. |
TUESDAY - We visited the Verdant Exhibition at MassArt's Paine/Bakalar Galleries and learned about Environmental Art.
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Paula Hayes created glass vessels with plants living inside.
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We did an art project where we made models of a "dream backyard." It was a glimpse into being a landscape architect. |
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WEDNESDAY - Alan Banks from the Olmsted National Historic Site came in and gave us a great presentation about the designer of the Emerald Necklace, Frederick Law Olmsted, and the history of the Back Bay Fens.
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Frederick Law Olmsted when he was 35, and beginning his career as a Landscape Architect |
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Before: a view of the Riverway after the grading was finished, and before it was planted. |
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After: the same view 20 years later after plants grew in. |
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A historic map of the Back Bay Fens |
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THURSDAY - The Green Team from Emerald Necklace Conservancy came in and taught us about invasive plants.
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Green Team youth took turns presenting about the invasive plants in the Fens: Garlic Mustard, Japanese Knotweed, Phragmites, and Oriental Bittersweet. |
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We played Jeopardy to see who had learned the most about invasive plants during the presentation. It was fun! |