Boston Flora

Tag: climate resiliency

  • Piers Park III Project in East Boston

    The Piers Park III project in East Boston has received $2 million in federal funds, to help support construction of the waterfront public space. The award comes from Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) funding, requested by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), and U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), with support from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). After being approved by the legislature, the CDS funding was included in the bipartisan omnibus federal budget signed by President Biden on March 15. An estimated $35 to $40M is being raised to build Piers Park III, funded largely through philanthropic contributions from a mix of private individuals, foundations and corporations. To date, $28.5M has been committed, including the recent federal funds.

    Piers Park III is currently in the community design phase, with a second draft of the design for the future waterfront park shared during a public meeting in February. Feedback was collected throughout 2021 and will continue to be gathered during 2022 in order to finalize the park landscape, programming, and design features. An updated design, the third draft, will be shared during public meetings this summer.  

    Construction is expected to begin in mid-2023.  The creation of Piers Park III advances a bold vision for iconic, public open space on Boston’s Harbor, managing a world-class park that supports diverse community needs, brings value to the city’s climate resiliency goals, and serves as welcoming public outdoor spaces helping people stay physically and mentally healthy and active

  • Wednesdays, May 26, June 2, & June 9, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – 2021 Massachusetts Town Forest Webinar Series: Enhancing Bird Habitat and Climate Adaptation in Your Community

    This three-part Massachusetts Town Forest Webinar series focuses on managing community forests for bird habitat and climate resilience. Join conservation and forestry professionals to learn how communities across the Commonwealth are managing town forests for carbon, climate resilience, and wildlife habitat. This webinar series is hosted by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation with funding from the Working Forest Initiative. Visit the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute website to register or click the links below. 

    Bird Habitat & Climate Resiliency in Your Community
    May 26, 2021
    6:30pm-9:00pm

    Habitat for Birds and other wildlife remain one of the primary management objectives for both municipalities and private forest landowners across the commonwealth.  Please join us for an introduction to DCR’s Foresters for the Birds Program; assessing habitat for forest birds; and silvicultural approaches to create desired habitat conditions. Case studies on landscape and stand-level planning and management to improve forest habitat diversity and climate resiliency will also be explored in this webinar.

    Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C6Mk2IowQLq17xvaOkxVFg
    Climate Adaptation & Resiliency in Your Community
    June 2, 2021
    6:30pm-9:00pm

    Forestland has significant carbon sequestration and storage capabilities, which can be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions. As forests face increasing threats, forestry professionals are working to identify community needs and explore how evolving scientific knowledge could support climate-informed community forest management. Please join us for an introduction to the role of carbon in our forests and forest management options, as well as a case study on the Tri-City Carbon Project.

    Registration Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1zkbsdsdT9a8GCNuQ4RFj Funding for Enhanced Habitat, Climate Adaptation & Resiliency 
    June 9, 2021
    6:30pm-9:00pm

    Communities across the Commonwealth are finding creative ways to integrate climate science into on-the-ground decision making regarding community forests and management. Community forests benefit all of us by providing a myriad of environmental, health and economic benefits. However, these forests are experiencing a multitude of stressors stemming from climate change. Please join us for information on funding strategies to respond to forest conservation, habitat, and climate challenges in your community. Recently completed habitat and climate-informed community forest management projects will be explored through case studies.

    Registration Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_elENPSZERXe3JI0FVbtkKQ