The Urban Wilds Initiative will bring new life to 14 Conservation Commission properties by first getting to know each place: mapping where it sits, how it connects to nearby green spaces, what plants and pollinators live there, and what lies around it, such as roads or homes. Using that careful study, we will shape each site with native and climate‑resilient plants and features that welcome a variety of wildlife, while also creating simple, low‑impact ways for people to enjoy the spaces—like walking paths or quiet spots for birdwatching—wherever those uses fit well.

This first session will launch the Initiative with a focus on what community members value about open spaces in Arlington. This session will explore how Arlington residents connect with nature so we can recommend future designs and programs that reflect what the community values. By learning which local green spaces and other places where people interact with nature matter most to residents, we can find practical ways to improve those places so they strengthen both community life and the natural world.

Project partners include Tufts UEP, Landscape Interactions, and the Arlington Department of Planning & Community Development. Learn more about the Urban Wilds Initiative