As part of BSC’s continued commitment to advancing ecological resilience and community engagement, Jonathan Monderer, Ecologist, was invited to speak with student interns in the Biodiversity Builders Program, a six-week paid internship led by Jean Devine of Devine Native Plantings.
Held near the Alewife Reservation, the program educates high school and college students about the role of native plants, biodiversity, and ecological restoration in building sustainable communities. Jonathan’s presentation focused on the permitting process behind the Alewife Showcase Biodiversity Garden, an urban pollinator habitat located within sensitive wetland and floodplain areas. The talk explored the intersection of environmental science, permitting, and nature-based climate adaptation strategies - core to BSC’s integrated approach to building resilient landscapes.
Designing with Nature: Permitting a Climate-Resilient Garden
The garden, originally planted in 2015, sits within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) and inside the Regulatory Floodway of the Little River floodplain, an area highlighted by the City of Cambridge as one of its most vulnerable flood zones. BSC’s role in delineating these wetlands, performed by (retired) Ingeborg Hegemann in 2020, and completing an As-Built Survey helped support compliance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and performance standards for work in Bordering Land Subject to Flooding (BLSF).
Jonathan walked students through the garden’s Notice of Intent (NOI) permitting process, submitted to the Cambridge Conservation Commission. He highlighted how native planting, removal of invasives, and overall biodiversity restoration support flood storage, protect wildlife habitat, and improve water quality - especially in the face of climate change and extreme weather.
Field Learning Meets Real-World Application
To bring the permitting process to life, Jonathan demonstrated wetland soil characteristics on site, explained the ecological importance of wetland buffers, and described how floodplains like Alewife serve as natural stormwater infrastructure. He also shared real-world insights from BSC projects involving wetland restoration, ecological delineation, and green infrastructure planning - reinforcing the essential role of interdisciplinary solutions in climate adaptation and land development.
Educating the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
This day of learning, centered around ecological restoration and stormwater management, also featured talks from Northeastern University professor Dr. Zhenyu Tian on water quality research, and community advocates from Save the Alewife Brook on combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and local watershed activism.
“This program is a powerful example of how youth-led environmental action and professional practice can come together to shape healthier, more resilient communities,” said Jonathan. “BSC is proud to support the next generation of environmental leaders.”
About Devine Native Plantings & Biodiversity Builders℠
Founded in 2021, Devine Native Plantings works to build pollinator pathways throughout Metro West Boston by designing and installing native plant gardens in a variety of public and private spaces. The Biodiversity Builders℠ Program teaches students the science, art, and advocacy skills behind biodiversity, ecological entrepreneurship, and community-based climate solutions.