Opening Doors “Caring for the earth should be within everyone’s reach!” says Edie Sisson, a longtime teachernaturalist at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. Throughout her tenure, Edie would learn of requests from
We care deeply about our colleagues, our partners, our members, and the communities in which we work. We learn from their experience, expertise, and beliefs, and together we build conservation communities that welcome and respect all people.
people and community
children, families, and teachers who wanted to experience the farm’s programs but could not
afford them. Thanks to her visionary leadership, the Drumlin Farm Outreach and Assistance
Resources (DOAR) program was created, and through it we have been able to provide that financial support to
people and community
countless schools, groups, and families.
In 1999, Edie led the effort to improve both
the financial and physical accessibility of Drumlin Farm’s programming and the site to better
Green Dream Team
Getting high school students interested in anything outdoors in these times of video games and smartphones can be a challenge. Nonetheless, Mass
Audubon is making inroads connecting urban youth with the natural world around them—even in a city as densely developed as Lawrence. Our Lawrence Initiative was created as a new model for Mass Audubon to reach underserved populations in cities where we do not have a wildlife
sanctuary by working in close collaboration with a local organization. In this case, our partner is Groundwork Lawrence and their Green Team, a group of high school students who learn about and lead local environmental and healthy-community initiatives. With the support of Mass Audubon scientists and educators, the teens studied local flora and fauna, and then used their new knowledge to undertake Rapid Ecological Assessments of the parks along the Spicket River Greenway, documenting their ecological welcome visitors of all abilities and backgrounds,
value. They also spread their knowledge through presentations to civic
and to ensure that all could experience Drumlin
leaders and residents, acquiring valuable leadership skills in the process.
Farm and explore their connection to the natural world. Through Edie’s persistent efforts and support, the DOAR program has grown enormously, with thousands of dollars granted annually. “I feel strongly that everyone benefits from access to nature, and I know well how Drumlin Farm gives
My overall attitude about the environment and nature has changed. I am more aware of the beauty of nature around me.
opportunities for children, adults, and seniors to
Green Team Teen
relate to the natural world,” Edie said. “All people
Member — Lawrence
deserve the chance to know and love nature, and to have experiences that help them understand
Mass Audubon’s work is expanding upon and advancing the work that
the nature of our local environment. In this way
Groundwork Lawrence has already accomplished in reclaiming the Spicket
they form a basis for understanding environmental
River. With the support of many forward-thinking funders, we are now
problems and issues they may face.”
building on this relationship to expand our outreach in Lawrence, including a new “science of gardening” curriculum for schools and creation of an
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Urban Adventure Summer Program for children in Lawrence.