Julie M. Cohen
While many find pulling weeds and invasive plants a chore, for Ira Topping, it’s a way to build camaraderie through a shared love of nature.
The longtime Belmont resident has been helping the local environment through “Pulling Partners,” one of several activities offered by the Habitat Intergenerational Program (HIP), “a volunteer community service and learning program that started in 1997 at Habitat Education Center in Belmont,” according to its website. “HIP connects people of all ages, dispels myths about how the young and old should act and promotes the joy of learning together.”
“Since moving to Belmont [in 1983, I’ve] taken advantage of being so close to Habitat, which is such a glorious spot,” said Topping, who started volunteering a few years ago. “Being in nature — it’s calming, it’s a way to relax, to just take another look at the world.”
Habitat, a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary in Belmont, is comprised of 90 acres of land, including hiking trails and more, according to property manager and HIP facilitator Hannah Fletcher.
“I’ve been up there probably over 2,000 times,” said Topping, walking the trails.
Growing up in New York City, he said he had limited access to large swaths of nature and really values what Belmont has to offer.
He first got involved with HIP after noticing a group of people pulling up weeds together a few years ago.
“I thought, that looks interesting,” he said. After speaking with participants, he learned about Pulling Partners and decided to become involved in helping the area he loves so much.
“It’s another way of enjoying it — to participate in taking care of it,” said Topping, who also appreciates the social aspect of the activity.
Unless you work with kids and teens directly, there aren’t many opportunities to interact with those in different generations, he said. Through HIP, Topping gets a chance to chat with younger people and learn from them as well.
While some may be skeptical that weeding can be enjoyable, Topping said that in this context, “it is fun [because] … you’re helping the community.”
More Than Weeding
HIP offers activities and projects beyond Pulling Partners, including monthly bird walks, Fall Trail Day, maintaining Habitat’s herb garden, and helping with the annual herb sale, among others.
According to former HIP coordinator and part-time Mass Audubon teacher Erika Whitworth, the idea for HIP itself came from Phyl Solomon, a Habitat teacher who decided to find a way to bring together different generations to help the environment.
Solomon took retirees who enjoyed the outdoors and partnered them with younger nature enthusiasts to create the first Trail Day in 1997, said Whitworth. The activity, which still takes place every year, includes “planting native wildflowers, wood chipping trails, cleaning up the Children’s Garden, Herb Gardens, and more,” according to the organization.
“It was really amazing how these people worked together,” recalled Whitworth.
From there, the mixed-generation group embarked on the Chenery Middle School Courtyard Garden in 2002, helping the students meet their community service requirements.
According to the organization, the project “transformed a barren three-story courtyard into a native garden complete with a pond and waterfall. The Courtyard Garden enriches the academic experiences of the students, fosters positive intergenerational learning, and promotes environmental stewardship.”
After children start volunteering and are given more project responsibilities, they feel a sense of connection with Habitat.
“It’s really lovely to see these kids really fall in love with the place,” said Whitworth.
In fact, sometimes college students who volunteered with HIP as children come back on breaks to help.
As fall activities are near, HIP is looking for additional volunteers. Members of the public can join Pulling Partners starting in September, every Wednesday afternoon. In addition to getting rid of undesirable plants, group members might be asked to shovel snow, work in the gardens, or even help care for the resident goats.
“We take them for a walk every once in a while,” said Topping. “They have incredible personalities.”
Fletcher said that each generation brings different skills and wisdom to help keep the property healthy.
“It seems very rewarding for everyone,” she said.
According to the website, “[t]hose involved in HIP come to know and believe that people of all ages working together can make a difference in helping our Earth to be a better place for future generations.”
Details
Mass Audubon’s Habitat Intergenerational Program is located at the Habitat Education Center, 10 Juniper Road. For more information, massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/habitat/programs-activities/hip-at-habitat or email HabitatHIP@massaudubon.org.
