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The following was submitted by the Friends of the Fells:
This April, Friends of the Fells staff and volunteers gathered at various locations in the Fells to collect data on dog waste left in the Reservation, calling the event a “PoopBlitz.” The name was inspired by a “bioblitz,” a community science event where volunteers, scientists, and naturalists work together in a concentrated effort to document biodiversity in a specific area.
Over a two-hour period, nine volunteers documented 152 instances of dog waste across the Fells, with a total weight of approximately 114 pounds. Of the recorded dog waste, less than 25% was bagged. Volunteers properly disposed of all pre-bagged waste.
“The persistent problem of dog waste litter in the Fells is widespread and has severe ecological consequences,” said Maddie Morgan, Friends of the Fells Field programs manager. “Dog waste is high in nutrients that can alter soil and water chemistry, and diseases can spread to both pets and wildlife through waste.”
In the past year, Friends of the Fells has installed two pilot pet waste stations on trails adjacent to Greenwood Park and Bellevue Pond due to the prevalence of dog waste in these areas, and plans to use the data from this “PoopBlitz” and other data collection efforts to inform the areas of highest need for future pet waste stations.
The pet waste station project was established in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as a project of the “Be Kind!” public awareness campaign, which shares simple, meaningful ways to protect state parks and ensure they are safe and welcoming for all, including pets.
For more information on the “Be Kind” campaign and pilot pet waste station project, visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/be-kind-massachusetts.
