Public Programming

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Water Treatment Plant Tours Flyer 2025

January, 2026

New Year Winter Tree and Shrub Identification
Sunday, January 4
9:15 to 11:30 am
Meets at the Ranger Station (beneath the clock tower)
250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge

Join naturalist Jeff Adams for a New Year’s winter walk focused on identifying woody plants during the colder months, when many trees and shrubs have shed their leaves. Cambridge’s Fresh Pond Reservation will be our field site. Discover how to identify plants by their branching patterns, bark, buds, galls, and any persistent fruits that remain throughout the season. We’ll also look at winter weeds—hardy non-woody plants that stand up tall even through the colder months. Learn not only plant ID techniques but also fascinating natural history and folklore about the plants we see.
Jeff is an avid outdoor enthusiast & naturalist who’s been enjoying the natural world for 50 years. He’s a member of the Friends of the Fells, The Trustees, Mass Audubon, Sudbury Valley Trustees, Acton Conservation Trust, Arlington Land Trust, Essex Greenbelt, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, Newton Conservators and The Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Inc.
Please register by emailing Agarms@cambridgema.gov or jeffreyradams@verizon.net- registration caps at 17—don't miss out on this amazing learning experience!

CPL Nature Club: Fresh Pond Nature Walk
(Collins Branch Library)
Thursday, January 15
10:15 to11:30 am
Meets at the Collins Branch Library
64 Aberdeen Avenue

Join us for a social walk of Fresh Pond Reservation with Ranger Amanda Garms and Library Associate Michael Roberson! We will observe seasonal changes in our environment, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise in nature. This 2.5 mile walk is not on a paved path. We will walk on uneven terrain, down hills, and over roots. Meets at the courtyard of the Collins Branch library and walk together to Fresh Pond. Dress for the weather and bring yak-tracks or hiking poles as necessary. Register at the Cambridge Public Library webpage https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/15883972

Recurring:

Every Thursday

10:00am to 12:00 noon

Fresh Pond Stewards (Volunteer Opportunity)

Meets at the Volunteer Tool Trailer (between the first parking lot and the reservoir)

April through October, give back to the place you love by becoming one of our volunteer weed warriors! This is a weekly, open opportunity to volunteer. We have the tools, we have the training, we just need the hands! Every week is a different target area and a different task depending on the natural calendar’s seasonal needs. Help us remove invasive plants, restore trails, or plant some trees. Come once, or come every week! For more information contact Ranger Omar at omejia@cambridgeMA.gov

Do you have a dedicated group of 10-25 people with at least 1.5-3 hours to give? Reach out to Ranger Amanda at agarms@cambridgeMA.gov to schedule a “Day of Service” group volunteer opportunity.

Every Monday

2:00pm to 3:30pm

Pollinator Biodiversity and Climate Citizen Science (Volunteer Opportunity)

Meets on-site at the Lusitania Meadow (trail map here:https://bit.ly/2G1b3DE)

Calling all humans! You can make a difference in our collective understanding of biodiversity and conservation. We visit the Fresh Pond sites and monitor biodiversity (especially 🐛 insects and 🦅birds, but also🐸amphibians, 🌿 plants, 🍄 fungi), and phenology (both flora and fauna) on a weekly basis throughout the seasons. Don't hesitate to join, but do tell us, so that we can communicate what to bring, or last-minute schedule changes (contact us: citizenscience@earthwiseaware.org).

Come and shadow this work, and if you want to collect real data used by climate scientists attend a free training session! (Check out the Earthwise Aware calendar for training sessions and more!)

First Monday of the Month

6:00pm to 7:30pm

Walter J Sullivan Water Purification Facility Tour

Meets at the Water Treatment Plant (front door), 250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Come learn how the Cambridge Water Department purifies drinking water for your tap after it’s conveyed from nearby Fresh Pond into our facility. You’ll have the chance to speak with water treatment staff, see the equipment in action and check out our water quality lab! For more information, visit the Tour Information Page. Please call/email ahead if coming with a large or organized group.

2024

Water Treatment Plant Tours 2024 Flyer

July Events (Text Only Version)

Total Eclipse of the Park Flyer

2024 Monarch Butterfly Release Celebration

All programs are free and open to the public!

Contact: agarms@cambridgema.gov with any questions

Past Events (Archived):

2023

September 2023 Event Flyer

August 2023 Event Flyer

Monarch Release Flyer