By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Staff
Jonathon R. Thompson, PHD, is the director of the Harvard Forest comprised of over 4,000 acres of land, research facilities, and the Fisher museum with a dedication to conservation and environmental changes. Thompson, in partnership with the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, took the stage at Wellesley Free Library to discuss the changes of New England’s forests throughout the eras and how it can affect our future.
Human activity has always affected the forests, from colonists chopping down acres to make houses to fuel for keeping those homes warm. Over the decades those have contributed to increased fuel emissions, more vegetation cut down to make room for complexes and shops, and climate change has reflected that. Recently the topic of conservation has been more prevalent as people attempt to save what wildlife remains.
Thanks to the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, more efforts are taking place to preserve the lands around us. They have announced four new conservation restrictions, including protecting the Scenic Roads in Wellesley, the Glen Road restriction protecting the surrounding wetlands, and more.
With carbon emissions being a constant topic of conversation, Thompson goes on to discuss how using the forests we have could contribute towards a net-zero carbon emission. By utilizing solar power more and building on already open space surrounded by woods, it aids in power coming from renewable resources and protecting the land surrounding them.
Additionally, the WCLT brought books on local flora and fauna that can be seen on the trails and a map of all the walkable areas in and around Pickle Point. The discussion of land conservation makes people appreciate the wildlife around them and encourages them to take the scenic road. So get outside, explore the Wellesley walking trails, and watch out for ticks.
