About this Event
Join the Friends of the Harborwalk and Friends of Belle Isle Marsh for a walking tour of the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. The Marsh consists of 241 acres of wetlands off of the Belle Isle Inlet, bordered by East Boston, Revere and Winthrop. Within it is a 152-acre reservation managed by Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The 1.5 miles of Boston Harborwalk weaves through the East Boston portion along a series of grassy clearings, dirt pathways, and boardwalks.
The tour will begin at the kiosk adjacent to the parking lot within the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. A sign marks the entrance to the park which is across Bennington Street between the Suffolk Downs and Beachmont T Stations. Parking is available at the reservation.
Our tour will cover the history of the region from the days when livestock grazed the hills of Hog Island and salt marsh hay was a coveted commodity... to the dramatic infilling of land between the Chelsea Creek and the Belle Isle Inlet to create Suffolk Downs … to the future 109-acre development of a state-of-the-art neighborhood built on what were once wetlands.
Boston Harbor and its islands were bordered by marshes and mudflats until beginning in the early 1700’s and continuing through the mid 1900’s, landmaking efforts brought on by the industrial revolution, led to the infilling of tidal wetlands and the expansion of buildable land.
Today, Belle Isle Marsh is the last surviving salt marsh on Boston Harbor, and plays an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem. Although wildlife and vegetation thrive on the reservation, the marsh and its inhabitants are challenged by the noise, air and water pollution caused by the surrounding dense urban context and flight path overhead. The marsh acts as a natural filtration system, creates a safe habitat for plant and animal species (some of which are endangered), and provides a layer of defense in protecting inbound areas from flooding. We will discuss the policies set in place to protect salt marshes, their function within the ecosystem, and their role in absorbing the impacts of climate change.
The Friends of the Boston Harborwalk is a volunteer group affiliated with Boston Harbor Now. The group meets monthly to promote awareness, public enjoyment and local stewardship of Boston’s 43- mile Harborwalk. For more information on joining the group, please contact Mike Manning, chair, at [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Belle Isle Marsh - meet at the kiosk adjacent to the parking lot, 1399 Bennington St, Boston, United States
USD 0.00
