Habitat Garden

The successful wildlife habitat garden must provide food, water, shelter and places to raise young.  Native plants provide the foliage, pollen, nectar and seeds that many species need to survive.  The garden is located on the main path from the parking lot on both sides of the spillway (see map).

Inspired by an anonymous donation from an Arlington Land Trust member and subsequent contributions from many other ALT members and local residents along with support from the Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Habitat Garden came to life this spring and summer after several years of planning and design work.  The garden was started in 2011 and is maintained by the Reservoir Committee, a part of Envision Arlington.  Financial donations to support this work at the Reservoir can be made through the Arlington Land Trust, PO Box 492, Arlington, MA 02476, or through their website.  Those who wish to volunteer can contact us through the contact form on the Contacts page.

We work in the Garden frequently during the growing season from April to October.  Workdays are usually scheduled on the weekends but volunteers can help any time.  If you wish to participate, workdays are listed on the home page in the section labelled upcoming events or contact us through the contact form on the Contact Page.  More pictures taken in the Habitat Garden.

A special debt of gratitude is due to the Arlington Department of Public Works Department, whose staff provided critical assistance and support in many ways, initially preparing the site and especially by installing the water pipes and spigots that helped sustain the garden through the dry spells.

Plant Donation

We are interested in receiving donations of plant materials. We are trying to use material that is native to the state and the New England area. In particular, we are seeking a range of plants but especially:

  • Columbine (aquilegia canadensis), the native red and yellow only
  • Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) both the purple and white varieties but not cultivars like "Little Kim"
  • Black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa)
  • Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
  • Boneset (eupatorium perfoliatum)
  • Culver's root (veronicastrum)
  • Marsh marigold (Clethra palustris)
  • NY Ironweed (vernonia noveboracensis)
  • Obedient plant (physostegia)
  • Solomon's seal (polygonatum)
  • Rudbeckia hirta, triloba and lacinata