This Tuesday, Eastie Farm’s Climate Corps fellows took a trip to Spectacle Island, and they couldn’t believe their eyes—it was truly a sight to sea! Among other youth groups from neighboring towns of Winthrop and Dorchester, fellows spent the day exploring and discussing the significance of recreational areas. The day was filled with engaging activities that seamlessly blended fun and learning, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for everyone. Swimming, fishing, hiking, and kickball were just a few of the many activities available on the island, all set against the backdrop of beautiful natural surroundings.
Fellows learned about Spectacle Island’s rich history from the Boston Harbor Islands staff and DCR park rangers during the day on the island. Before the area was colonized by European settlers, the island was stewarded by local indigenous communities for thousands of years. It was a hotspot for fishing and shellfishing, as well as a place where crops like corn, squash, and beans were cultivated. Over the last 300 years due to the effects of industrialization in the city of Boston, the island has been the location of a horse-rendering plant, hotels, hospitals, factories, and a waste site. Spectacle Island served as a dump for the city of Boston until 1959, and after years of cleanup and restoration, it was reopened to the public in 2006 as a National Park Site.
Without a single pollutant present today, the island has returned to its original condition as a pristine natural haven- an impressive feat considering its industrialized history. This protected environment is crucial for preserving biodiversity in the Boston Harbor and providing a clean, healthy space for recreation and education. It serves as a vital example of how natural areas can thrive in coexistence with human activities. Respecting the existence of natural prey and predators helps to sustain the land and restore ecological balance.
The island was teeming with ecological variety. Every few feet, you can observe a completely different tree, unlike any of the ones you had already passed by during your hike. While this land was used most recently as a massive landfill for the city of Boston, Native Americans once utilized the island’s natural resources extensively, reflecting a deep connection to the land and sea. These are two very different approaches for the use of this land. Today, stewards of Spectacle Island make an effort to return to the example set for us by those Indigenous to the land, restoring it to be a place of conservation and respect of the natural world once more.
Our trip to Spectacle Island provided the fellows with valuable insights into the importance of environmental preservation and sustainable land use. Learning about the environment while having fun provided the fellows with firsthand experience of how the beauty and diversity of nature can exist alongside human recreation. The island’s rich biodiversity, evidenced by the variety of plant and animal life, emphasized the significance of maintaining balanced ecosystems. Our trip to Spectacle Island highlighted the necessity of conservation efforts to protect wildlife and ensure that natural areas continue to be a place that future generations of all life can enjoy.
