Conservation Projects at Boston Nature Center

At Boston Nature Center, conservation extends beyond protecting habitats—it’s about cultivating connections between people, wildlife, and the environment.  

On-Site Partners 

Clark-Cooper Community Garden 

The Clark-Cooper Community Garden, Inc. at the Boston Nature Center has been in operation since 1969, making it one of the oldest community gardens in Boston. Find it within the loop of the Orchard Trail, growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Take a break at the nearby gazebo to see urban community gardening in action. For more information about the garden or to inquire about a plot, email [email protected]. 

Food Forest Demonstration Site  

Boston Nature Center hosts Boston Food Forest Coalition's (BFFC) first flagship food forest demonstration site, which reflects the cultural preferences of the surrounding community, offers access to healthy food for those who need it most, and serves as an educational model.  

BFFC, organized by committed neighbors across Boston, envisions a robust network of neighborhood-based, publicly accessible edible food forest gardens and orchards located throughout Boston. The group’s growing methods focus on permaculture that uses less water, labor, fertilizer, and energy than typical gardening; emphasizes perennial plantings inter-planted with popular annual food crops; and builds diverse habitats and healthy soil. 

As part of the partnership, BFFC revived the BNC urban orchard and significantly enhanced the landscape by planting trees, growing bee-friendly plants, and enriching the health of the soil.  Find the demonstration garden next to BNC’s driveway, near the gazebo on the Rabbit Trail. 

Boston Area Beekeepers Association 

The Boston Area Beekeepers Association (BABA) maintains a 10-20 beehive apiary for honeybees at the BNC. The apiary is an essential component of BNC and BABA's shared missions to promote urban beekeeping, support local habitats, and provide public environmental education. The bees play a critical role in the pollination of the Clark Cooper Community Garden, Food Forest Demonstration Site, and beyond. During the summer, Meet The Beekeeper programs invite the public to get involved, including a show and tell session and up-close inspection of a beehive. 

Sustainability Features 

Net Zero Design 

The George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center (GRWECC) grew out of a strong commitment to conservation and environmental protection from both the City of Boston and Mass Audubon. This pioneering "building that teaches" demonstrates a whole-building approach to sustainability, featuring a state-of-the-art geothermal system, reclaimed and upcycled materials, FSC-certified wood, passive solar design with daylighting systems, and numerous other innovative features. Sustainability extends beyond the building walls through integrated stormwater management, a productive green roof, and a thriving micro-forest that together create a living laboratory for environmental stewardship.  

In 2022, rooftop solar panels were added to the sanctuary’s George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center, along with a new ground-mounted array erected nearby. All of this means that the sanctuary now produces more energy than it uses.