About Friends of Winter Pond

Friends of Winter Pond (FWP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers and dedicated to the maintenance and protection of Winter Pond. FWP works to raise funds for and awareness about activities that help protect the pond from pollution and invasive plants. In recent years, FWP has also been instrumental in establishing procedures that help protect an endangered plant species that grows along the shores of Winter Pond.

History

The Town of Winchester (MA) is officially responsible for the care and management of Winter Pond. However, as in many communities, the Town faces a limited budget and other resource constraints.

In 1998, Winter Pond’s declining health led a group of concerned residents to form Friends of Winter Pond, Inc. to help fill the funding gap and renew efforts to manage invasive plants. Friends of Winter Pond, as it exists today, was granted non-profit status in 2002, when we also expanded our mission to go beyond invasive plant management to include a broad range of conservation-related activities, including wetland plant management; storm drain improvements; public access improvements; and protection of endangered species, among others.

Mission

Our mission is to preserve Winchester’s Winter Pond as a vital natural resource rich in wildlife by: controlling plant overgrowth; protecting the shoreline from invasive plants; promoting education and conservation policies in the watershed area; participating in research efforts around pond conservation; promoting safe and responsible recreational use; and ensuring that adequate funds are available for all these endeavors.

Photograph by Frank Siteman