Jennifer is trained in animal science and plant biology and holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm that we deeply value. We also are so appreciative of the time that Jennifer spends to monitor a few of our phenology sites in our favorite urban forest, the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

“Being a naturalist has been part of my identity for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I loved being in the forest and was allowed to wander through the woods untethered. My parents were fond of the natural world, and I became more interested in birds, plants, and wildflowers through walks in the woods with my grandmother." — Jennifer.

Together with Jennifer, we investigate the wildlife of our woods and cities and learn a ton doing it. Let's add that none of us look at a spot on a leaf the same way we did before Jennifer joined us—and we love that we don't!

▸ Jennifer's EwA Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records | ✉

Kathy is a keen naturalist and an incredible phenology leader! She generously and patiently shares her knowledge and attention to detail with the team. We are so lucky to have Kathy leading the EwA Fells' Long Pond phenology study and coaching our new citizen scientists and interns.

“I am fascinated by the endless intricate ways that flora and fauna depend upon each other and find unique niches to fill, by the interconnectedness of their life cycles, and by how they respond to times of plenty or times of stress. Our biodiversity is stunning; it is complicated, and it is changing. There is so much that scientists do not understand. By recognizing ecosystems' delicacy and complexity, we can contribute to protecting our biodiversity and climate."—Kathy.

Together with Kathy, we listen, observe, discuss, and record the many activities around one of our favorite permanent ponds. We also challenge our perception of what we see, remaining humble as we witness and learn.

▸ Kathy's EwA Biodiversity Records | Anecdata Records | Testimonial | ✉

We met Joe at the 2018 City Nature Challenge event we hosted at the Middlesex Fells Reservation, and it was clear from the start that we had found a true nature friend—someone who discovers, shares, and learns from nature at every opportunity.

Curious and humble, Joe marvels at the beauty of the natural world and generously shares his knowledge of local flora and fauna. He enjoys wildlife camera trapping, a passion he began to inspire his daughter’s love for the outdoors. Over the years, he has gained valuable insights into animal habits, contributing records to a mammal tracking survey that documented species never before seen in that area.

Joe’s keen eye is an invaluable asset during our biodiversity events. Since the inception of EwA’s Fells projects, part of our citizen science program, he has rarely missed an opportunity to join our data collection expeditions. We were thrilled to welcome him as a formal EwA participatory scientist and are equally excited to have Joe serve as a director of the board as of October 2024!

▸ Joe's EwA Director Role | Biodiversity Observations | ✉

As a child growing up in the rural midwest, Sara spent most of her time outside. "I had a deep love of the natural world and an awareness of some of the harmful agricultural practices that were becoming institutionalized in the '70's. I took this interest into a career in urban, nature-based education. I am passionate about providing opportunities for young people, particularly those growing up in urban environments, to connect with and learn about the natural world. I am on the board of another non-profit Friends of the Boston Schoolyards whose mission is to provide these opportunities for all children in the City of Boston. I also volunteer as a field study guide for Boston students at the Arnold Arboretum."

Sara joined the EwA phenology team in 2020. Quickly, Sara started recording data at every single of EwA's established sites!

"I really love the practice of citizen science. I learn something new every week from being with others and meticulously observing an environment over time. I am fascinated with urban natural environments. From thoughtfully co-created habitats such as the Fresh Pond Reservation to the hardscrabble nature of the Fells, which continues to thrive despite all human impacts. It is empowering to feel that we can positively affect environmental issues through data collection and science, as well as igniting excitement about the natural world in others."

Sara is now our Fresh Pond site leader and a regular phenology surveyor of the Long Pond (Winchester, MA) and Growing Center (Somerville, MA) sites

▸ Sara's EwA Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records | ✉

Meet Laura, one of our outstanding EwA biodiversity walk field leaders. Laura is a remarkable naturalist with an extraordinary talent for observing the small wonders of nature. Her keen eye for detail allows her to spot and wonder about a wide variety of organisms, from slime molds and fungi to insects and plants. Laura's deep knowledge and passion for the natural world make her insights both educational and inspiring. Her enthusiasm for sharing her discoveries and insights enriches the experience for everyone involved. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and perceptive observer leading our team!

▸ Laura's EwA Biodiversity Records

Mike is an editorial collaborator and field leader for Earthwise Aware. Mike has had a broad range of academic interests, from ecology and chemistry to philosophy and American literature. He eventually graduated with a B.A. in English from Harvard University in 2017. He attended EwA's citizen science field sessions in the early summer of 2019 and quickly started contributing new ideas to EwA's content and programs.

Mike grew up in northeastern Massachusetts, and the Boston area's ecosystems have offered him a place of solitude, peace, and wonder. He has found priceless companionship in the hills, ponds, fields, beaches, marshes, vernal pools, and forests of Massachusetts and the broader New England area.

Mike is excited to advocate with us for the thoughtful and ethical stewardship of Nature. He believes that one can engage with ecological ethics anywhere, at any moment, and is passionate about promoting and reestablishing this way of thinking in the United States and beyond.

We are thrilled to have Mike with us, helping to anchor and deepen EwA's ecological and ethics guides and collaborating in our various programs!

▸ Mike's EwA Articles | Weekly Highlights | Wild Facts | Biodiversity Obervations | ✉

Lisa is a retired market researcher who loves to hike. Being outdoors and in nature has so many benefits for both body and mind. She lives very close to the Middlesex Fells Reservation and spends much time on the trails.

"I think the Middlesex Fells are a treasure, like our national parks, and need to be preserved for all to enjoy now and in the future. If we all do a little bit now, it can make a big difference."–Lisa

Lisa joined to learn about what she sees in the woods. She joined EwA's team in 2020, and it did not take long before she took a lead role in helping map the health of the forest, focusing on bio-pollution and habitat fragmentation.

▸ Lisa's EwA Biodiversity Observations | ✉

We are so lucky to have Bill as one of our board directors as of October 2024. Bill has been with us ever since his brother Joe invited him to join one of our field sessions in 2018. Together, we marvel at, discover, document, and monitor EwA's biodiversity study sites in the Middlesex Fells Reservation (a.k.a. the Fells).

Bill is a tranquil force and an efficient, enthusiastic presence on our team. Wandering in the Fells, where we run many of EwA's participatory science projects, and enjoying the moment (and the work) has become our specialty and pleasure. We often spend hours together, losing track of time as 3-4 hours fly by!

An outdoor enthusiast, Bill has spent much time exploring and learning about nature with his brother Joe. He earned a BA in Biology from Colby College in Waterville, ME, and a Masters in Science Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA. After 30 years as a Science teacher at Parker Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts, he continues to love working with young people and watching them learn and grow.

▸ Bill's EwA Director Role | Biodiversity Records | ✉

We are thrilled to have Yvonne as one of our board directors as of October 2024. Yvonne teaches early childhood education at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and is the founder and leader of Math Play, a community of educators focused on making math more playful.

"When I signed up for EwA's participatory science program, I expected to enhance my knowledge of local flora and fauna, benefiting my work as a STEM teacher educator. The joy of making new friends and the healing energy of weekly visits to the woods turned out to be my saving grace during the pandemic. Nature is truly good for the soul."

Yvonne joined the Fells team in August 2020, starting with the arthropod survey before discovering her passion for the phenology survey team. Since then, she has diligently documented seasonal changes in the fauna and flora around Long Pond. We're lucky to have such a dedicated observer on board!

▸ Yvonne's EwA Director Role | Biodiversity Records | Anecdata Records | ✉

Insects and plants were a huge part of Kathleen's childhood. Kathleen grew up in the country, and her parents taught her to be kind to nature.

"I've only just started to rekindle the excitement I always had for nature but with a new passion for knowledge and education."

Kathleen joined EwA's arthropod documenters team in 2021. She is a fantastic spotter, a great birder, and a lover of lepidopterans (moths and butterflies). It's fun to have Kathleen as part of our community. She genuinely shares her knowledge about and unmatched enthusiasm for natural history. We realized quickly that she would be a great addition to our leader's team, so now she is also one of our field leaders.

▸ Kahtleen's EwA Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records | ✉

Mina graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Environmental Studies. She has lived in Massachusetts most of her life and grew up exploring places like the Middlesex Fells and Habitat in Belmont.

Mina's interest in natural history took root during a New England field studies course at Lesley. This course involved learning about ecology and plant identification at local parks and urban wilds. One of these sites was the Middlesex Fells.

“Seeing the Fells through a naturalistic lens instead of a purely recreational one fundamentally changed my perception of the space. I began to pay attention to places differently, noting not only individual species but also the relationships between these species and their environments and interspecies interactions. Observing and recording these kinds of details over time can show us the effects of climate change on biodiversity and inform how we protect that biodiversity.”

Mina is interested in how human health, mindset, and behavior inform the understanding and treatment of land. She interned with the organization Green Cambridge to compile a history of the Alewife district. This work, which drew heavily from citizen-created histories of the Alewife, affirmed her belief in the power of co-creative science. Mina is highly enthusiastic about EwA’s collaborative scientific approach and has done wonders during her 2020 EwA summer internship focusing on phenology. Since then, Mina joined our organization as a GIS consultant to help with its Fells habitat fragmentation study. One also gets a chance to read Mina's blog about EwA's monthly Fells Forest Exploration walks.

▸ Mina's EwA Articles | Biodiversity Observations | Testimonial

"Each day I am in the woods with EwA, I learn something new and am continually awed by nature. The enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers is contagious."–Linda

Linda joined EwA’s Fells phenology and habitat fragmentation surveys in 2022 and quickly became dedicated to the Bellevue Pond site, where she now serves as the site leader. The success of various projects would not be possible without her commitment. As a natural communicator, Linda effectively represents EwA at outreach events and helps tailor our messaging.

As of October 2024, we are thrilled to have Linda as our board vice president. It’s a pleasure to have her as part of the EwA family, and we look forward to working together for many years to democratize ecology participatory science while supporting the urban wild spaces that we love and explore together!

▸ Linda's EwA Vice-President Role | Anecdata Records | ✉

Esther's Reason for joining EwA. "The transformation of the world for the better happens from the collective to the collective through the action of everyone who somehow collaborates for this change. EwA is exactly that: a group of people who came together to make the world a better place for all species that share it. Together with other groups around the world, it is part of a beautiful movement of respect and appreciation for nature and life. When I met EwA, I did not doubt that I wanted to collaborate with them."

Why is Biodiversity important for Esther? "We share the planet with thousands of other species. We evolved together on Earth and are co-dependent on each other. In this way, we are part of nature. Biodiversity forms a web that connects all living individuals on the planet. If part of this web breaks down, little by little, the whole web is compromised. So it is our duty to invest all our efforts to protect all of this. Respecting the existence of all the other species that share the world with us is respect for our existence."

Esther was born in Brazil and spent a year in the Boston Area, where she found EwA's volunteering opportunities. Esther is involved in many projects, from surveying in the field when she was in the Boston area to developing an invasive pocket field guide with our interns. Esther is now back in Brazil, and we hope to have her back in the field one day soon; meanwhile, it is a delight to have Esther keep working with us on ecological knowledge development on control methods for dealing with invasive flora.

▸ Esther EwA's Biodiversity Records | Invasive Pocket Guide | (Digital) Invasive Guide | ✉

"We are rapidly losing biodiversity; therefore, tracking biodiversity over time and space is important."–Kristian

Kristian's love of nature began at an early age, leading her to earn a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Tufts University, where she studied firefly courtship behavior. Her post-doctoral research focused on honeybee behavior and the fungal infection Nosema spp. at the Best Bees Company. Kristian also teaches Environmental Science at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

At EwA, Kristian is actively involved at the Somerville Community Growing Center, focusing on entomology surveys. Since joining EwA's Buggy project in May 2023, she quickly mastered the Buggy app and has become our top observer. We also greatly appreciate her review and editing work, support for our interns, and contributions to developing valuable ecological knowledge.

We are thrilled to have Kristian as a director of the board as of October 2024! Thank you, Kristian, for all that you do for EwA!

▸ Kristian's EwA Director Role | Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records | ✉

Kate (they/them) is a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and bug nerd. Their formal education path began in the humanities and meandered to the visual arts, but their informal, immersive learning of the natural world began as a child, listening to scissor grinder cicadas every summer evening in the Midwest. During the pandemic, they received a macro clip-on lens for their phone and have captured little faces ever since. You can find them weekly with EwA at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, hunting (and documenting) bugs.

"Growing up in a small city with a big backyard and spending many weekends on the family farm, I have never been far from nature. The song of a redwing blackbird takes me back to those days on the farm with Gram, walking to the horse pasture and searching for snakes in the ditches. Even as I type this now, in a bigger city with a small backyard, I am surrounded by biodiversity: the tiny jumping spider I found in the kitchen sink and relocated to a plant on the porch; the sparrows, cardinals, and mourning doves that raid my bird feeder each day and play out their bird dramas while we eat lunch; the four different types of trees I can see right now out my office window, which host so much life from fungus to insects to birds and squirrels (and probably raccoons and possums too, though I haven't been lucky enough to meet them yet). The "environment" isn't a buzzword, news piece, or something intangible I'm supposed to pay attention to for the sake of the future. It's literally my environment: what is above, below, and surrounding me at all times, whether I'm outside or inside, and I'm a part of it."–Kate

▸ Kate's EwA Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records | ✉

In 2021, Joanne discovered the monthly EwA almanacs that share the natural history of the Lusitania meadow we survey weekly at the Fresh Pond reservation. She later found a few of us documenting phenology and biodiversity around Lusitania. Joanne quickly got the bug! She joined EwA's Fresh Pond phenology leader team in 2021 and has been recording weekly the life stories of the meadow since then, helping us to fill critical data gaps and enriching the EwA urban climate and biodiversity knowledge database. Joanne also co-leads EwA's participatory science training sessions and represents EwA at outreach events.

"The work of EwA is important to document the subtle changes taking place due to climate change, habitat degradation, as well as habitat restoration, etc. It's a small contribution I can make as an individual, learning all the time and belonging to a warm and supportive community of folks who care about the natural world."–Joanne.

The stories of the meadow would not be the same without Joanne's careful observations. It's a pleasure to spend time with her in the field. We look forward to enjoying Joanne for the many years to come to help nurture a much-needed meadow and foster a robust human community attentive to the needs of Lusitania, its micro-habitats, and its inhabitants!

▸ Joanne's EwA Biodiversity Observations | Anecdata Records

Xiaochen initially interned with EwA in the fall of 2021, immersing herself in phenology studies and contributing valuable new visualizations to our research. We're thrilled to welcome Xiaochen back, this time delving into the data aspect of EwA's biodiversity and climate studies. Together, we have exciting plans in store. Stay tuned for updates!

"I grew up in a traditional Chinese environment that emphasizes harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, which sparked my interest in the natural world from a young age. During my undergraduate studies at Tufts University, I was introduced to EwA during a forest walk at the Fells. This experience led to an internship opportunity as a phenology intern for a semester, where I not only deepened my understanding of ecology but also gained valuable skills in field data collection. Currently, I'm pursuing a master's degree in statistics at Georgia Tech, and I'm eager to continue contributing to EwA from a data analytics perspective."

▸ Xiaochen's EwA Biodiversity Observations | News Digest

Kate was born and raised in Maryland, near countless hiking and nature trails. As an avid runner, she has always loved exploring new trails, inspiring her love for nature and being outdoors. However, her passion for conservation did not come until she began pursuing her undergraduate degree at Brandeis University, where she currently continues to explore this passion as a Biology and Environmental Studies double major.

In addition to her love for conservation, Kate is an aspiring environmental activist and has been a member of several environmental justice movements. She hopes to be able to continue her work in both conservation and activism after college in a career that ideally combines the two.

“Conservation is extremely important because the world is one large, interconnected ecosystem. We depend on our planet for survival, and all of our actions have an impact on the global system. We owe it to our planet and its inhabitants to learn more about the natural world, increase our awareness of our surroundings, and do everything possible to protect it."

Kate was a 2021 EwA summer intern and returned to do her senior research project in 2022-2023 with us. It was wonderful having her dig into the phenology of oaks at one of our sites to understand better how oaks respond to climate change in Massachusetts! In Early 2023, she published EwA's annual pheno report, which caught the attention of a few of our partners. Read more about Kate's research project (thesis) » here.

Kate has graduated and is excited to stay and volunteer with the EwA community. She feels strongly about EwA’s mission to protect biodiversity and educate and empower as many people as possible.

▸ Kate's EwA's Research Reports | News Digest | Biodiversity Records | Testimonial | ✉

Lawrence (aka Larry) Millman has written 18 books, almost all of which focus in some way on the natural world. He has spent a considerable time in the Arctic and Subarctic among Inuit, Innu, and Cree elders who have a devout relationship with the land but whose offspring have a devout relationship only with their computers and televisions.

Larry is a mycologist who has documented fungi on quite a few walks with EwA. What he especially likes about these walks is that they’re genuinely contextual — i.e., they focus on the connections between different organisms rather than looking at a particular species of plant, bird, insect, or fungus in a vacuum. To quote John Muir: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” (...) 'Claire O’Neill, whom I think of as a contemporary update of John Muir, could have made that statement herself!'–Lawrence Millman

▸ Larry's EwA's articles

Joe and Matt are both herpetologists at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology (Cambridge, Massachusetts). Both share with us their love and enthusiasm for reptiles and amphibians.

We met Joe in the context of a Citizen Science program at the Mount Auburn Cemetery, where he and a group of citizen scientists monitor a little vernal pool and its inhabitants. We really enjoyed his protocol and appreciated the care that Joe takes to minimize our impact on those habitats. As for Matt, we were familiar with his 2011 survey of the amphibians of the Fells. As it happens, Matt was Joe's mentee a few years back, and are now colleagues at the Museum.

When learning that the Middlesex Fells Reservation hosts some 110 vernal pools, half of which not yet certified, we realized that certifying the candidate pools could be a great base for a community-based science program. We proposed a collaboration to Matt and Joe focused on raising awareness about wetland habitats, documenting them scientifically for the purpose of certifying them so that they gain added State protection.

Here we are today running this project together! With Joe and Matt, we are blessed to gain genuine herpetology expert knowledge every time we get out in the field. We just love it!

Jill joined EwA's Bellevue Pond phenology site in November 2023 and quickly became a dedicated regular, helping us gather valuable data on both phenology and Fells usage at this location. Her commitment to enhancing the Fells for its habitats and wildlife is truly valued.

Thank you, Jill, for your enthusiasm and contributions!

"As a recent retiree, I was looking for a place to devote my time. I desired a pursuit that benefits the community and offers purpose and personal growth. EwA checks these boxes. A longtime walker and hiker in the Fells, my EwA work lets me give back to this precious recreational gem while elevating awareness of the need to be kind to the Fells. I continually learn and I deepen my appreciation for wildlife. "–Jill.

▸ Jill's EwA Secretary Role | Anecdata Records | ✉

James joined EwA's phenology study team at Fresh Pond in May 2024. For over 25 years, he has actively participated in outdoor recreation, conservation, and education organizations, including The Native Plant Trust, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Mass Audubon, and Columbia University’s Center for the Environment & Conservation. His curiosity has led him to pursue adult education in botany, ecology, marine biology, and environmental economics, deepening his appreciation for the natural world and strengthening his advocacy for its preservation. EwA’s science-based, ethically grounded programs align well with James's values, offering him meaningful field experiences that further his ecological knowledge and commitment to conservation.

Recently, EwA welcomed James as its treasurer, and we look forward to benefiting from his sound financial expertise and thoughtful stewardship in the years to come.

▸ James' EwA Tresaurer role | Anecdata records | ✉

"I grew up exploring the New England coast with my Jamaican family, who were as new to the environment as adults as I was as a kid. Spending time together in nature gave me space to be truly curious and creative, and to bring what I learned from the supportive relationships between species into my relationships with other people. My current work as an information scientist always brings me back to observe and learn from those relationships in nature, especially in a world that is dramatically changing in so many ways."

Ashley has joined our team in 2023, and we are thrilled to have her taking the lead in building our library! Thanks for all that you do, Ashley!

"EwA has shown me that my passion for information science doesn’t have to keep me tethered to a computer screen. So many of the built systems and patterns we take for granted in society and the digital world mimic those in the natural world. For me, understanding how to build and maintain healthy communities and information ecosystems requires working to protect and restore those natural ecosystems that inspire me."

▸ Ashley's EwA Library Contributions | ✉

Kyle has spent nearly ten years in the tree and landscape industry, and his extensive knowledge and passion for trees have been invaluable to the EwA team. Moving forward, Kyle is focusing on the invasive Buckthorn spread throughout the Fells. Despite its bird-attracting fruit, Buckthorn grows rapidly, regenerates easily, and aggressively overshadows our native forest species. Nevertheless, Kyle is determined to lead our mitigation efforts against this resilient invader for years to come. Thank you, Kyle, for your dedication to protecting the forest!

"The true passion for the environment that EwA has is what keeps me coming back to volunteer."–Kyle.

▸ Kyle's EwA Anecdata Records

Tom immediately joined the EwA team after attending a Biodiversity hike in early 2020. Tom now co-leads EwA hikes in the Fells that focus on geology and ecology.

His curiosity and enjoyment of the environment began at a young age. Growing up in Northern California, he marveled at the seacoast’s ragged shoreline, the redwood groves’ majestic growth, and the boundless peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Living in the Boston area, he now enjoys exploring New England's natural wonders.

His care for the environment began with scouting which instilled an ethic for respecting nature, minimizing impact, and non-disruptive observation. With his two favorite merit badges being Nature and Environmental Science, his enthusiasm continues through participating in local community science programs.

Tom earned a B.S. degree in experimental psychology at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, and an MBA from Boston University. He spent more than 30 years in the computer software industry, and now he advises municipalities and community groups on environmental programs and leading nature walks. In 2021, he published his first book: “53 With a Tree: Family-friendly Hikes in New Hampshire’s Town Forests.”

"Several people recommended that I check out EwA, and I am very glad that I did. Now I am able to rekindle my interest in exploring and appreciate nature at many levels. This includes finding pleasure and harmony in all kinds of wild things and studying the relationships between people and nature."

▸ Tom's EwA Biodiversity Records