NFC to Conduct Fish Tours at Newton Cemetery and Arboretum...

NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard and members of the Massachusetts chapter of NFC will be co-hosting 2 fish tours at Newton Cemetery and Arboretum in Newton, Massachusetts, on Friday May 8th at 10:00am and 1:30pm respectively. 

As part of our work on Cold Spring Brook in Newton, Massachusetts, NFC recently completed a Holistic Stream Assessment/Restoration project at Newton Cemetery and Arboretum. The property is a unique suburban ecological resource, especially when you consider what it is and how long ago it was created. 

To date, NFC has found a higher level of aquatic biodiversity and biomass at Newton Cemetery and Arboretum than any of the other waters we have worked on in Newton. Four species of native fish have been confirmed: Pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, golden shiner, and sea-run American eel. Amphibian biomass is very high, and mussel abundance appears to be high as well.

NFC will explain how the cemetery ponds are connected to Cold Spring Brook, how Cold Spring Brook is tied to Cold Spring Park and Newton City Hall, and what types of fish and aquatic life live within the cemetery property.  Members of MA NFC will be setting minnow traps the night before so we can show attendees actual fish and explain what they are, whether they belong there, etc.