Urban Wilds as a solution to a policy problem

City owned Urban Wilds throughout Boston

Policy problem: How to fund programs to connect urban residents to nature?

Policy solution: Partnership with the Urban Wilds Initiative to maintain city owned Urban Wilds through volunteer labor

Policy entrepreneur: Boston Parks Department Urban Wilds Initiative

In the late 1990’s the Urban Wilds Initiative approached Earthworks to form a partnership in which Earthworks became responsible for providing maintenance in the city owned Urban Wilds. As small non-profit with the mission ‘to deepen ecological awareness and commitment by helping urban residents experience the nature that exists in Greater Boston' (www.earthworksboston.org), this partnership was a good match between the organization’s work and a strong source of funding through joint grant proposals. The restoration work has focused on problems ranging from removal of invasive plan species to repairing damage done through dumping and vandalism. Now nearing the end of the time frame for the partnership, it is likely that Earthworks will broaden its focus to include other natural areas in the city that are not part of the Urban Wilds network and will greatly scale back its official partnership with the Urban Wilds Initiative by the end of 2006 (personal interview, Benjamin Crouch).

Restoration work at McLaughlin Woodland and Warren Gardens Urban Wilds

Image source: www.earthworksboston.org