Fall 2013 Eagle Eye Institute Empowering urban youth from low income communities, especially youth of color, to play an active role caring for our environment.

Youth Spotlight Message from Board Member, Bill Labich Sabiha Miahjee, now in her 4th year For over 20 with Eagle Eye years, we have been champi- Sabiha Miahjee was six when she first participated with ons for urban Eagle Eye as a member of our first EAGLE Club at Cam- youth finding bridge’s Margaret Fuller House in 2010. She recalls dig- their place in the ging beets at Apple- natural world. ton Farm during Working closely an Eagle Eye Learn with dozens of About Agriculure partners, we’ve program.Since given thousands Bill with his children, Noah and Grace then Sabiha’s love of youth experiences of a lifetime for free. A recent pro- for gardening has fessional firm evaluated our keystone Learn About For- flourished in big ests program and found that it significantly increases ways in her local awareness of nature. community garden. Giving youth the gift of nature is critical, but only the This past winter, first step. What’s next? Well, think of your favorite nat- Sabiha, now 10 and Sabiha, age 10 receives award from Mayor of ural area. Picture the trees and flowers, the sun on your fellow EAGLE Club Somerville face with the sounds of birds behind you. Whether as- phalt is in its future or not will de- member Darien Rodriguez, age 11 “Recently our youth embarked on a pend on whether you and others wrote and received a $400 grant service project with the help of Susan love it enough to care for it. And from Katie’s Krops to start and Ekstrom, advocating for a recycling cen- with a changing climate, it’s all maintain a vegetable garden to ter in the housing project where they hands on deck. feed people in need in Somerville. live. This example of engaging students Sabiha remarked that “we wrote Once more Eagle Eye is develop- in direct action with the chance to make that we wanted to help our com- ing a new approach to empowering a real and noticeable difference in their munity. It’s not fair if some people urban youth to join the global com- community is what makes Eagle Eye such a get good vegetables and others munity of nature stewards. We’re valuable and unique program. And one we do not.” This spring and summer calling it “community conservation are lucky to be involved with.” Sabiha worked with 23 other youth partnerships.” We invite you to Heather McCormack, Mystic Learning Center and staff from Mystic Learning join our great Continued on Page 2 Center with support of Eagle Eye staff and interns to build a greenhouse and raised beds INSIDE: to grow vegetables including collard greens, dinosaur Summer Highlights ...... Pages 2-3 kale, basil, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. What’s New: Springfield High School ...... Page 4 Sabiha also had an opportunity to step up and teach EAGLE Club and Fall Interns ...... Page 5 younger youth members, “I taught what plants were 11th Annual Hike-a-thon ...... Page 6 weeds and could be pulled and that tomato plants don’t grow well when you put water directly on the 2012 Program Highlights ...... Page 6 leaves.” Sabiha gave out vegetables Continued on Page 2 Thank You Donors ...... Page 7 Youth Highlight, Continued from Page 1 Summer Highlights at the Mystic Mobile Farmer’s Market every Saturday Susan Ekstrom, Program Manager this summer keeping careful track of the 52 pounds of produce donated to over 50 families. In October, Sabiha We had a busy summer connecting 50 youth ages and Darien received a Commendation from Somerville 6 to 19 from seven youth organizations in Somer- Mayor Joe Curtatone for their efforts in improving com- ville, Medford, and Chinatown with nature munity food access in Somerville. “Gardening is fun be- cause you can really get your hands in dirt and have fun with it!”

In June Sabiha joined other Mystic Learn- ing Center’s EAGLE Club youth for a Learn More About over- night program at Ponkapoag Susan teaches youth how to make a no match fire. Pond. Her most memo- Sabiha age 6 in 2010 through our Learn About programs, urban stew- rable experi- ardship projects, overnight camping trips, and gar- ence was getting to swim that evening and seeing a blue dening clubs. heron in the water. Sabiha is looking forward to more overnight camping trips in the future as well as having We welcomed three interns from Tufts University. more oppor- Samantha Bloom and Emely Garcia joined program tunities to manager Susan Ekstrom to facilitate programming lead in EA- and Jessie Howard served as our communications GLE Club. and Media intern, assisting in launching our new website.

Young gar- Our sum- dener, Jacob mer kicked Rodriguez off with an of Mystic overnight Learning Learn More Center About For- ests program Message from Bill Labich, Continued from Page 1 with Mys- staff, interns, volunteers and partners in this creative tic Learn- Fall Interns Emely Garcia, Samantha Bloom and Jessie Howard endeavor. Imagine youth and adults working togeth- ing Center at er to learn about and steward natural areas near their Ponkapoag Pond in Canton. The first day David schools, playgrounds, neighborhoods. Youth will Craft, author of Urban Foraging led an edibles walk. learn more about, advocate for, lead and engage in projects that address needs and opportunities in Bos- Youth enjoyed a sunset swim and cookout. ton, Somerville, Medford, Cambridge and Springfield. With your support, we can advance more assuredly in The next day we cleared brush from the this exciting new direction for youth and our environ- trail and were joined by Olmstead Center ment. Join us. landscape architect, Margie Coffin-Brown, for a tree ID lesson. Our adventure ended with a paddle 2 around the pond. Continued on Page 3 Summer Highlights, Continued from Page 2 In July we traveled with Mystic Mural Project to Vir- Mystic Mural Project and Mystic Learning Center ginia Wood in Middlesex Fells for a Learn About For- participated in water chestnut removal with the Mys- ests day. Under the shade of a dense hemlock grove tic River Watershed Association (MRWA). Working high school age youth learned about Virginia Wood, alongside MRWA staff, the youth pulled invasive wa- which after the land was donated in 1891 became the ter chestnuts from the in canoes. Hun- country’s first land for public conservation. dreds of baskets of water chestnuts were pulled on two stewardship days filling a nearby dumpster.

Both Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center groups were interested in visiting farms. The older group, aged 9 to 16, visited Powisset Farm in Dover; the younger group, age 8 to 11, visited in Sharon. Both properties managed by the Trustees of Reservations are working farms and youth had the opportunity to learn about the Community Supported Agriculture programs, visit farm animals, and harvest potatoes. At Powisset Farm youth toured the farm with Assistant Farm Manager, Tessa Pechenik, and sampled their vegetables. At Moose Hill Farm youth Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center youth. met with Farm Manager, Molly DellaRoman and their flock of chickens, many getting to pet a chicken for the Mystic Mural Project and Boston Chinatown partici- first time. pated in stewardship projects in the Middlesex Fells. Bryan Hamlin, Friends of the Fells Chairman, spoke to our group about the diverse plant populations found within the Fells. We pulled and bagged invasive gar- lic mustard around Virginia Wood Spot Pond brook area, leaving room for native species to return.

Ramona Latham, Cape Ann Education Director, host- ed Medford Boys and Girls Club at Trustees of Res- ervations , in Gloucester, MA. We caught bugs, used a tree borer to age white pine trees, and learned how to make a “no match” fire. Later that week these youth engaged in a stewardship proj- ect along the Mystic River cleaning up trash and recy- Emely shows a bug to a Medford Boys & Girls Club youth. cling.

Mystic River Mural Project youth complete stewardship at Virgina Woods Youth learn from Moose Hill Farm Manager, Molly DellaRoman. 3 What’s New Past Participant connects Eagle Eye with Springfield Central High School In 1997, Kevin LaLime participated in a Learn About instructors Ken Gooch and Melanie Joy of MA DCR. Forests program as a member of Lowell’s Spindle City Naturalist John Green, shared his unique perspective Youth Corps. of nature by having the students draw a detailed map of the forest to share with younger students. Orni- thologist Robin Hunnewell taught the students about migrating birds and how to use binoculars while spot- ting a wood thrush in the forest and Environmental Educator, Christina Oliva led the young people in a guided meditation to open up their senses and obser- vation skills.

“(Nature) is very interesting and fun. Site manager, There are so many things to learn Scott Beach, about.The experiences that come led the youth from it are great.” Sebastian, age 15 in a steward- ship project thinning out small under story saplings to enhance Fast forward to 2013, Kevin is now an Assistant Prin- the growth of old wild blueberry bushes. Students cipal in the Springfield School System. In August, he learned about calls our office asking about stewardship and team tool safety and building programs for incoming freshmen. He says the proper use his experience with Eagle Eye was so life changing of hand saws, that he wants similar opportunities for Springfield hand pruners students. and loppers. “Youth need to experience nature so The students they have an appreciation, so they In October, were amazed to won’t forget or not realize how im- thanks to see how much portant the world (nature) around Brian Cu- they could ac- them works.” -Alexis, age 15 sack, Science complish by Teacher and working togeth- 9th Grade TEAM Facilitator, 55 freshmen and soph- er. omore stu- dents from After a brief time at the 50 foot waterfall where stu- Springfield dents climbed from boulder to boulder occasionally Central High soaking a boot in the frigid water, several of them re- School par- marked that this was the first waterfall they had expe- ticipated in rienced. one of 3 Learn About Forests When gathering for the final group photo and asked programs at if they would like to return, the forest echoed their en- MountainStar thusiastic chorus of yeses! Forest in Peru, MA. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Springfield Central High School. Thank you Kevin for Not only did the students have the opportunity to paying your experience forward and thank you Brian experience the peace, quiet and beauty of the forest, for making it they also learned how to identify specific trees, use all come to- “Young people need to experience tools used in the forestry industry, and learn gether. nature and learn about the diversity about forest pests and invasives from volunteer found in nature.” Quentin, age 15 4 Earth Advocates Green Leaders for the Thank you to our Fall Environment – EAGLE Club Update Tufts University Interns! Christina Oliva Jessica Dimas a Tisch Scholar working with This has been a great year for Eagle Eye. our Healey EAGLE Club this fall, is a sopho- The success and subsequent expansion of EAGLE more majoring in Biopsychology and Ameri- Club are among my favorite highlights. EAGLE can Studies. Jessica strongly believes in Ea- Club is wrapping up its fifth season of provid- gle Eye’s mission of making environmental ing afterschool environmental education to youth ages 8-13 in Somerville. This fall we had full en- rollment. We are excited to announce that we will start a third club in Medford in spring 2014. Our talented university interns are assisting with this expansion.

This year we were thrilled to work with Antioch University New England, in addition to our long-standing partner, Tufts University. Antioch graduate students are helping with program evaluation and curriculum design. Antioch M.S. Mystic Learn Center youth painting with Pokeweed candidate Sara Greller and I designed and pi- loted a curriculum package for EAGLE Club in awareness accessible to urban youth who may not have opportunities to be outdoors.

Kimberly Mendoza, also a Tisch Scholar is a sophomore majoring in Child Development. She is working with our Mystic Learning Center EA- GLE Club. Born and raised in East Boston, she did not have many opportunities to interact with nature until her freshman year of college when she did her first hike. Since then she realizes that youth from low income urban communities are missing out in the healing and therapeutic quali- ties that nature offers.

Nathan talking to Healey Club about dissolved oxygen testing in Mystic River Nathan Justice, a sophomore majoring in Biol- the spring that used the principles of place-based ogy and Environmental Studies is working with education and state science standards to teach Healey EAGLE Club. Born and raised in Mon- youth about water-related environmental issues. tana, his life has been heavily influenced by na- The curriculum is being taught in another EA- ture. His most memorable experiences include GLE Club this fall, while a new curriculum pack- fishing in the rivers of Montana and hiking the age is being created. Our plan is to develop 18 Rocky Mountains. He strongly believes in the im- curriculum packages over the next three years to portance of sustainability and environmental ed- aid our undergraduate interns in being success- ucation because today’s youth will face the most ful outdoor science educators and increase field important decisions in history. science experiences for youth from underserved communities. 5 2012 Program Highlights

Six Learn About Forests, six Urban Stewardship projects, two Learn More About Forests pro- grams for Somerville’s Mystic Learning Center and Mystic River Mural Project, Boston China- town Neighborhood Center, and Cambridge and Somerville Boys & Girls Clubs. 75 youth ages 8-19 visited Middlesex Fells Reservation Virginia Woods, Mystic River, Holly Hill Farm, and Ap- pleton Farm.

Special thanks to our volunteer instructors who shared their knowledge and passion: Margie Coffin-Brown of The Olmstead Center, Mike Ryan, Bryan Hamlin, and Walter Kittredge of The Friends of the Fells, Beth MacBlane and Pat- rick Herron of the Mystic River Watershed As- soc., Helen Johnson and Joe Perry of MA DCR, Janice McPhillips and Johnnie Belber of Holly Hill Farm, Sarah Hutt of Berkeley Community Garden, Linton Harrington, Becky Fahey, Me- gan Kiser, Jenn Forman-Orth, Jennifer Grilly, Jack Rodolico and Jessica Kagel of Kestrel Edu- cational Adventures.

EAGLE Club after-school program expanded in the fall to two 8 week programs; Somerville’s Mystic Learning Center and Healey Boys & Girls 11th Annual Hike-a-Thon Expands Club. 26 youth ages 6-13 participated in hands- beyond on activities to increase their environmental awareness and knowledge in their urban com- This year for the first time multiple hikes were orga- munity. Repeat students were encouraged to de- nized to raise money to support Eagle Eye program- velop their leadership skills, serve as role models ming. Two anonymous donors gave us a $10,000 and share what issues they are passionate about dollar for dollar match challenge this year and we in the environment and their community. are excited to report that we met their challenge -- in Tufts students Kal Gezahegn, Cassie Pastorelle, fact we raised $10,500 giving us a total of $20,500. and Valerie Cleland co-facilitated the EAGLE Not only did we raise the most money this year we clubs. Thanks to ornithogist Robin Hunnewell also had the most hikers engaged. for presenting her experience banding and track- 75 hikers made up of friends, family, and youth from ing shore birds with both EAGLE clubs and Cassie Pastorelle for leading a stewardship trash our programs hiked for urban youth and nature! Over cleanup project in the Middlesex Fells. the weekend of October 5th, Bill Labich organized a hike to Mt Toby in Sunderland, MA, Christina Oliva Engaged five university students as program organized a hike to Mt Monadnack, NH, Melinda interns: Kal Gezahegn, Nelson Dow, Allison Co- Stockmann organized a hike to Mt. Tam in the San hen, Alison Marquesee and Valerie Cleland. Francisco Bay area and Susan Ekstrom organized the local area hike in the Middlesex Fells. Thanks to Thank you to other 2012 volunteers: Alex Freed- everyone who helped make this a big success! man, Cleo Hirsch, Laney Siegner, Rachel Rhodes, 6 Jillian Maccini and Alex Rosario. Thank You to our 2012 Donors! Visionary Eagle Soaring Eagle MaJa Kietzke Boston Foundation “Eagle Eye has been an inspiration from its & Anthony Sanchez Anonymous beginning when MaJa Kietzke and Anthony Sanchez began a small organization to help Golden Eagle Bill & Chris Labich urban youth learn about and love nature. It Carol Pine Breckenridge Capital has evolved into a world class environmental Ron Pulsifer Advisors, Inc. Gail Strand organization which includes such excellent Catherine S England Fund ThreeBees Fund Boston programs as Learn About Forests programs. Sarah Cowles Doering Foundation Eagle Eye continues to inspire us as it helps Richard Games Henry & Liz Vandermark more youth and young adults learn to love Kira & Joe Jewett and care for nature, and develop necessary life skills to lead successful, fulfilling lives. Eaglet Tisch College Our support for your wonderful organization Scholar Program Joanne Peckarsky will continue with love.” Plourde Family & Lisa Menconi Joanne Peckarsky and Lisa Menconi – Charitable Trust Roger & May Plourde Lally Stowell supporters since 1994

Nestling Nixon Insurance Paula & David Sherwood Holladay Weiss Chris Porter Peter Creighton Jillene Smith Bruce Wenning The Travel Collaborative Joshua Meltzer Tad Sperry & Ellen Harvey Anne Wright and Eric Segal Birthday fund David Myers Melinda Stockmann Howard Wolfe Wedgewood Crane Paul and Anne Niedergang Tufts Community Relations Leigh Youngblood & Connolly Insurance Emily Wade Eagle Egg Beverly Hoffman Nest Builder Carolyn Plourde & William Herp & Roger Kalhovd Benoit Companies Anonymous John O”Keefe Walter Kittredge Betty Cotton Keith & Judy Asarkof Kenneth Labich Kenneth Labich Rosalie Denise Scott & Sandy Beach & Ann Curran Barbara Forte & Ann Curran Brent & Vera Ranalli Jane Bindley Betsy Friedlander Ben Lacy Bruce Roberts Chris Cato & Rosa Morales David and Anne Marie Nathan Litscher Tina Stern Scott Connor Kittredge & Rebecca Orlowski John Cowles Leanne Locke Grants Received & Page Knudson Anne Myers Estelle Disch Mass Cultural Council $5,000 Carol Nickerson Roy A. Hunt Foundation $5,000 Fred Dow & Shirley Mark Mark Niedergang Breckenridge Capital Advisors, Inc. $1,500 Marc Fortin & Marya Axner Living Springs Foundation $1,000 & Gretchen Ramos Tufts University Neighborhood $450 Jill & Courtney Nottage Paula Ebbitt Tufts Neighborhood Service Grant $450 Anne Ogilby Sigrid Ewers Dr Ronald Orr Thank you to our Corporate Donors! Ken Gooch Suzanne Pan Basil Tree Catering Dave’s Fresh Pasta Somerville Lucinda Gruber Paul Pierron Redbones BBQ J.P. Licks Somerville Joanne Harris Rocket Science Screen Printing REI Roy Palmeri & Bruce Roberts Rancatore’s Ice Cream Subway, Somerville Mike Rock Whole Foods, Cambridge Taza Chocolate Forrest Hartmann Allison Rosenmayer Trader Joe’s, Cambridge Cambridge Common Eric Hirsch Shaw’s Supermarket Restaurant John & Maggie Russell Bolocco Burritos, Medford When Pigs Fly, Somerville 7 Please help us reach our Support Eagle Eye’s “Earth Advocates 2013 individual and cor- Green Leaders for the Environment” porate fundraising goal of Contribution Levels Visionary Eagle $10,000 Eaglet $500 $60,000! Soaring Eagle $5,000 Nestling $250 We have raised Bald Eagle $2,500 Eagle Egg $100 Golden Eagle $1,000 Nest Builder $50 $45,000 Other $ Name: Help us raise the Address: remaining City: State: Zip: Email Address: $15,000 Would you like to receive future newsletters or mailings electronically? by donating before Yes No year end. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to: Your support is critical to Eagle Eye Institute P.O. Box 440481 Somerville, MA 02144 developing Earth Advo- (617) 666-5222 cates; the next generation of green leaders for the Or go to www.EagleEyei.org and click “Donate Now” to make an instant credit card donation. environment.

Eagle Eye Institute PO Box 440481 Somerville, MA 02144 [email protected]

Board of Directors Anthony Sanchez William Labich MaJa Kietzke W. Lola Remy Chris Cato David Russell Kenneth Gooch Staff Susan Ekstrom Program Manager

Christina Oliva Curriculum & Development Specialist MaJa Kietzke Volunteer Fiscal Manager

Jessica Dimas Kimberly Mendoza Tisch Scholars

Nathan Justice Using the power of nature to transform urban youth. Tufts University Work Study student www.facebook.com/EagleEyeInstitute