Spring 2008 Program Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Annual Meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include a vote on the new Board of Directors Spring talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is co-sponsored with GreeWaveWellesley and the Natural Resources Commission of Wellesley
"A Convenient Truth: A Water-wise Future for Wellesley Presented by Peggy Sunshine
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is a non-profit environmental organization founded in 1965 to restore one of the earliest settled rivers in America . Its work is to protect all 80 miles of the Charles River and its watershed, which drains an area of 308 square miles, encompassing a total of 35 towns. Almost a million people, 16% of the state population, Today, CRWA is the leading organization in helping the public understand the river's current health and the sources of pollution contributing to its impairment for both recreational use and as habitat for fish and wildlife. CRWA is also assisting cities and developers realize new possibilities in urban planning by giving thoughtful consideration to preserving and protecting water resources through engineering that conforms to natural hydrology. This program is free, appropriate for high school students and adults, and is open to the public. Please join us for this timely program. For more information call 781-237-6125. Photographs are from the CRWA. To see previous WCC talks, please click here. |
Wellesleyites are you water worriers? We are all concerned about how water resources will be impacted by climate change and whether aging public infrastructure is affecting the quality and quantity of water in Wellesley . Discover how the relationship between land and water resources are intricately connected. Find out how CRWA's hydrologists, urban restoration planners and environmental scientists are protecting fresh water resources in this region and beyond. You will look at things with a whole new perspective after hearing and seeing this presentation. 
are directly impacting and being impacted by the health of the Charles River. CRWA's prominent role in cleaning up the river has influenced government policy, developed river water monitoring protocols, fought to uphold water use rulings, studied and protected river plants and wildlife and educated public officials, community groups, students of all ages and legislators on best practices in protecting watersheds. Cronk's Rock Woodland is a true New England woodland of oaks and pines on a rocky ledge. There is interest here in every season but this sanctuary is a feast for all the senses during the spring. This year's open house will be held on Sunday, June 1 from 2-4 p.m. when many of the wildflowers such as pink lady's-slippers, jack-in-the-pulpit, Labrador violets, wild geranium, wood creeping phlox and foamflower were in bloom. Cronk's is located adjacent to 10 Crown Ridge Road in Wellesley and is open to the public year round. Click here to see a map of Cronk's Rocky Woodland. To see how to get to Cronk's from the Wellesley Town Hall, click here.
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Labrador Violet |
It is with sadness that we have had to say good-bye on May 28 to a true friend of conservation with the passing of Edwina Lareau at the age of 93. Ms. Lareau will be remembered fondly by the countless students she touched as a Wellesley Public School teacher for 28 years. One former student told Michelle Long, Ms. Lareau's relative and caregiver, "I had your aunt for 5th grade, she changed my life." Ms. Lareau's legacy continues to benefit students through the Lareau Prize, which was established to honor her retirement in 1974. To this day the Lareau Prize is awarded to 7th grade science students who demonstate knowledge and interest in environmental conservation. Ms. Lareau was life-long resident of Wayland where her family had deep roots. She shared a house near Lake Cochituate with her sister Marjorie, who was also a teacher. Michelle Long remembers with great affection visiting her aunts' home as a child, then years later bringing her own children to visit them as well. At home, Edwina tended her flower and vegtable gardens with the same care and stewardship she inspired in her students. |
Edwina Lareau Prize The Lareau Prize is named in honor of Edwina Lareau, a Wellesley public school teacher who taught for 28 years from 1946 to 1974 at the Warren, Phillips and Schofield schools. Lareau is an avid naturalist and bird watcher, and was well known for sharing her knowlege and enthusiasm with her students many of whom whent on to become serious naturalists. When she retired in 1974, parents, friends and former students contributed to a fund in her honor. They decided that the Wellesley Conservation Council should hold this money and the interest earned be used to pay for a prize for the Wellesley student demonstrating both knowlege and interest in the area of environmental conservation. Along with encouraging her students to enjoy nature, Lareau also emphasized the need to conserve natural areas for the future. The kettle hole at Schofield School was saved from destruction due to the efforts of Ms. Lareau and her students. |
The Wellesley Conservation Council is hosting a "Fairy House Event" for elementary grade school children in May. This will be a two part celebration for the Council's 50th anniversary.
Look for an announcement in the Townsman and on town bulletin boards for an invitation to a "Fairy House Tea" hosted by Magic Beans, Linden Square, Wellesley on Sunday, May 4. There will be face painting and ideas on how to build a fairy house. In celebration of our 50th anniversary, the council will then invite the children and their families to become members of the WCC in order to take part in the second segment of this celebration.
On Saturday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. the Council will host a walk along Morses Pond to Pickle Point Sanctuary where each child will adopt a tree and build his/her own fairy house under it with natural materials gathered during the walk. Refreshments will be served. Meet at the Cochituate Aqueduct at Russell and Kendall Roads.
The wish of the Council is for children to be exposed to nature and its wonders while having fun.
Photo of fairy house from elfwood.com
Last revised May 4, 2008
P.O. Box 81129
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-237-6125
Photograph: Big Brown Bat -
J. Scott Altenback