Public Programming

Upcoming Events:

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Water Treatment Plant Tours Flyer 2025

This Month:

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!)

Monday, November 3

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.

Wednesday, July 9th

10:15am to 11:30am

Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins Branch Library)

Meets at the Collins Branch Library (64 Aberdeen Ave.)

Join us for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with Ranger Tim! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Tim will share his insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. The walk will meet in the courtyard of the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave. [Now Reopened!]) and leave together towards the pond at 10:15am. This is a summer weather walk so clothing for the weather at hand is suggested.

For more information or with any questions,

please contact Michael at mroberson@cambridgeMA.gov.

You can find a link to register for the walk here. Registration is required for this event.

Wednesday, July 9th

12:00 noon to 1:30pm

Summer Reading: Fresh Pond Bug Walk

(Boudreau Branch Library Collaboration)

Have you ever wanted to know more about the little insect critters that live in our local ecosystems? Join us at Fresh Pond's Lusitania Meadow for a short walk in which we observe and learn about this dazzlingly diverse class of animals. This program is open to all ages, from adults to children and their caregivers. Free registration is required [here]. Please register all attendees, including caregivers.

For more information, contact Michael McGlathery at mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov or call the Boudreau Branch at 617-349-4017.

Wednesday, July 23rd

7:00pm to 10:00pm

The (Second Annual) “Cambridge Moth Ball” 💡🦟

This program meets on-site at Kingsley Park (250 Fresh Pond Parkway)

Come and be dazzled by the extraordinary nighttime creatures known as Moths. Marvel at their mysterious habits, coloration, and special place in our ecology as you learn how to attract and ID moths. As part of National Moth Week, we will be exploring these fascinating woodland insects up close and share the data and photos we collect with researchers. If you are interested in insects, butterflies, moths or the wildlife of Cambridge, if you like nature or nighttime, this event is for you. Photographers interested in creative moth portraits are especially encouraged to attend. Festivities include a talk by a local moth expert, moth lures, live moths, and more resources!
The is a collaboration with The Boston Birding Festival, Earthwise Aware, Native Plant Community Gardeners, Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways Group, Biodiversity Builders, and Green Cambridge. More info on the event webpage.

Mythical/Mothical attire recommended!

Wednesday, July 30th

12:00 noon to 1:30pm

Summer Reading: Fresh Pond Bug Walk

(Boudreau Branch Library Collaboration)

Register for Meeting Information

Have you ever wanted to know more about the little insect critters that live in our local ecosystems? Join us at Fresh Pond's Lusitania Meadow for a short walk in which we observe and learn about this dazzlingly diverse class of animals. This program is open to all ages, from adults to children and their caregivers. Free registration is required [here]. Please register all attendees, including caregivers.

For more information, contact Michael McGlathery at mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov or call the Boudreau Branch at 617-349-4017.