February 2023 Newsletter

 

Emerald Network — a vision for 250 miles of seamless shared-use greenway paths connecting Boston and adjacent cities.

February 2023 Vol. 6 Issue 1

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NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

Thank you for being a dedicated reader of the Emerald Network newsletter. Spring has sprung, flowers are blooming, and there are plenty of ways to explore nature within the Emerald Network. We enjoy curating the latest greenway news, stories, and events from around the region and in your backyard. Help continue to grow the Network by forwarding this issue to a friend and encouraging them to subscribe today!

 

What Have We Been Up To?


Photo design credit: Lorraine Fryer

Please Welcome our new Project Manager, Michaela Grenier!

In January, Michaela Grenier joined our team as the Emerald Network Project Manager! Before joining LivableStreets, Michaela worked at an international conflict resolution nonprofit, partnering with diverse communities to design inclusive processes and address inequities. While only a month in, Michaela has dived into supporting community members and coalition partners in stewarding the goal of greenway development in MetroBoston. Michaela is compassionate, hardworking, and eager — and we’re grateful to have her. Please feel free to welcome her personally at [email protected] :)

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Michaela G. to the team, not to be confused with our wonderful Community Engagement Manager, Makayla Comas!

LivableStreets Staff are Back in the Office!

LivableStreets held its first staff retreat of the year back in our Cambridge office. In addition to catching up and connecting, the staff reset for the year, solidified annual organizational priorities and goals, and fostered collaboration and teamwork. As we re-enter the office space en mass for the first time in almost three years, we are in need of office supplies – can we count on you to help us out? Check out our page with a list of our office needs, and thank you in advance!


Tabling at the Dorchester Winter Farmers Market

Photo credit: Dorchester Winter Farmers Market

In January, the Emerald Network was out and about at the Dorchester Winters Farmers Market. Over two weekends, the team spoke with shoppers about the status of the DOT Greenway, solicited feedback, and heard concerns about the project. 

Over the past few months, the Emerald Network has been in conversation with the City of Boston, MBTA, and other stakeholders about the next steps needed to move the project along. First, a study must be conducted to make sure the tunnel cap is structurally sound to support possible elements like trees or paving. Next, community opinions and feedback will be collected to ensure the project is still desired. The Emerald Network continues to liaison between the City of Boston, MBTA, and potential users to foster a space that is reflective of nearby neighborhoods.



Photo credit: City of Boston, 2018 

The South Bay Harbor Trail

Take advantage of balmy February days by exploring the South Bay Harbor Trail – a bit of a well kept Boston secret! While sections of the trail continue to be built out, it boasts a path that runs from Ruggles Station to the Institute of Contemporary Art. The approximately 4 mile trail connects Lower Roxbury, the South End, Chinatown, and Fort Point Channel to the Boston Harbor and includes both greenway and on-road connections. The view of the City seen from the Fort Point Channel is particularly striking!

The trail is accessible on public transportation via Ruggles Station, Broadway Station, and is within walking distance of South Station. We recommend stopping along the way at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen for soul food and live music, Grub Street Center for Creative Writing for a workshop, or Porter Square Books: Boston Edition for a new juicy read.

Ditch the Flowers this Valentine’s Day, Dedicate a Native Plant!


Photo credit: Lilli Vo, Boston Harbor Now

Boston Harbor Now is offering folks the opportunity to not only honor an extraordinary person in their life, but also to make a difference! Last year, Boston Harbor Now invested thousands of hours removing invasive plants and planting native species on the Boston Harbor Islands. This work restores natural habitats and is essential to maintaining the island’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

Dedicating a native plant tends to the natural world while also sharing it with someone you love. Select from four native species here!


Events + Art


Photo credit: Mer-Made for Pleasure + PleasurePie


Photo credit: newartcenter.org

Endless Options to Support Your Local Artists!

There are many wonderful events coming up, it’s hard to pick one! Below is a collection of fun events around the City to keep you busy and make sure to Bundle up, Boston! Check out this map of waterfront trails and support local community artists and business owners along the way.

Need Plans for Earth Day 2023? Join Muddy River’s Cleanup!

Our friends at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy are hosting a Muddy River Cleanup as part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. The Muddy River is a series of waterways that runs throughout the city connecting ponds to the Charles River.

  • Date: April 22nd
  • Time: 10am-12pm
  • Location: multiple sites — stay tuned!

Make a difference in your community by joining their cleanup crew: Register here NOW!


Opportunities

  • The City of Boston

The Mayor’s Cabinet of Environment, Energy, and Open Space is hiring for positions at all levels. Join the exciting work of implementing Mayor Wu’s agenda to make Boston a Green New Deal City. Read about and apply through their website!

  • The Hip Hop Architecture Camp

The Hip-Hop Architecture Camp is offering scholarships through Michael Ford’s $10,000 Hip-Hop Architecture Scholarship! Read more about the scholarship and application (which includes an essay guided by prompted questions) here. Deadline is Friday, April 14, 2023 at 5:00pm!

  • More Opportunities

And check out all of these amazing organizations who are hiring NOW! All with open deadlines:

Learn more about each organization and the available positions through the links above, an opportunity to connect with some wonderful people and get involved in new ways!

As a policy, LivableStreets will only advertise opportunities that include salary or compensation information.


THANK YOU

We value your support of the Emerald Network community and social network. Find out more about our partners by visiting the website.

  • Help us to complete the Emerald Network by donating today.
  • You can also sign up to be a volunteer with LivableStreets.

Your dollars and your time keep us going!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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