The town has announced it is partnerning with Tufts University to support work on the Nature Futures Framework (NFF), a global initiative which aims to develop plans for cities and towns to best address the needs of its natural environment and residents.
Arlington’s Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and members of Tufts’ Department of Urban and Enrionmental Policy and Planning want to implement the NFF to create townwide policies which enhance ecosystem health and encourage sustainable practices.
The town announcement says that the DPCD worked with Tufts students last year on an analysis of Arlington’s ecology. This project was led by Kate Davies, director of the MS Sustainability program at Tufts. Davies proposed that DPCD pilot NFF and has assembled a crew of researchers at Tufts to guide this project.
As a first step, the town has released a survey which seeks to learn how residetns interact with nature, along with local views on how natural spaces should be maintained now and in the future. Results from this survey are to be used in Arlingotn’s NFF planning efforts. The survey is here >> and is intended for those who are 18 years or older.
In addition, a species identifcation event was held at Menotomy Rocks Park (129 Jason St.) Sunday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested will be asked to work with the app “iNaturalist” to to identify plants, fungi, bugs and other insects in the area. The app is both iPhone and Android friendly. See more details about this event here >>
To stay updated with this project and learn more about further scheduled events, visit the Arlington NFF website here >>
Those with questions are asked to email Kathryn Davies at kathryn.davies@tufts.edu.
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This news announcement based on information from the town website was published Tuesday, Sept. 24
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