Meadowscaping for Biodiversity (MS4B)

At A Glance

Location: 

Waltham, Massachusetts

Primary Issue Area:

  • Living Economies
  • Land & Water
  • Climate Change & Energy
  • Environmental Health
  • Food

Active since:

2014

Core volunteers:

35

Community Size:

65,000

  • Pollinator in Progress banner
  • High School, college students, and MS4B director at Kennard Park
  • Students and staff at Native Plant Sale 2021

Our Purpose

Over the past 60+ years, man-made changes to the environment -- use of fossil fuels, over-development, and toxic chemicals -- have significantly degraded our air, water, food, and land. Indeed, a recent UN report warns that countries need drastically change their lifestyles to avoid complete climate disaster in 10 - 12 years. control. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/20/world/ipcc-synthesis-report-climate-intl/...Wildlife of all kinds including insects and essential pollinators are vastly diminished in numbers. E.g., western U.S. population of monarch butterflies is 90% of its 1970s total, which will affect growth of agricultural products. All over the U.S., immigrants, indigenous people, and others are the victims of environmental injustice. They can't afford to move from locations vulnerable to severe weather. MS4B has developed successful models of outdoor environmental education. E.g., this year second graders at two elementary schools in Waltham will plant gardens while learning about pollination and other subjects from the Mass. Frameworks. High School students will participate in our summer Youth Environmental Entrepreneurship Program that combines working with learning. Youth work in teams for paying customers to remove invasives and plant native plant gardens and meadows. These gardens contribute to increased biodiversity and improve students' feelings of self-worth.