For thousands of years, there were Native Peoples inhabiting the North American continent, and their relationship to the land was often harmonious. When Concord was first settled by Europeans in 1635, folklore says there were twelve English families who "founded" the town by purchasing it from the Pennacook Indians. Other oral traditions claim that the land was exchanged in a bargain with the Squaw Sachem, the Sagamore Tahattawan and other Indians. Today, there are approximately 18,950 residents living in Concord, and another million or so visitors come to enjoy this famed New England town every year. There is a four lane highway that bisects the town, along with a commuter train, and hundreds of roads. Human population and land disturbance has been consistently growing since the 1600's. This is true for Concord, and for large portions of the planet.  

Many desirable "quality of life" factors, population growth, housing shortages, and lack of affordable housing are all leading to more construction projects, including high density housing, in Concord. As the year 2024 begins, there are several active developments planned along the banks of the Assabet River, and Warner's Pond finds itself in the heart of business zoning. State level leaders recently announced that MCI Concord will close in June of 2024, and there is excitement and speculation that this land will also be available for development. Figuring out how to manage continued expansion and growth, while protecting and caring for open spaces such as Warner's Pond, is an ongoing challenge. But finding solutions to such challenges is well worth it, because the rewards such spaces bring to communities are priceless.

Warner's Pond is an important feature in a historic landscape, with roots reaching back to the founding and settling of Concord. Over the centuries, the landscape has adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community. Its waters have powered mills and manufacturing, served as a hub for recreation, and provided a rich, biodiverse habitat for wildlife. Warner's Pond, along with its larger riverine system, has generously supported the village that grew up around it. However, to continue offering ecological and recreational benefits for Concord, it now requires greater attention and care to remain healthy and sustainable.

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Steady human disturbances to this landscape have changed its natural processes forever; there is no returning to the "pristine" landscape the Native People maintained, and that the early European settlers encountered when they first arrived. However, the situation is not hopeless; it has reached a point in which thoughtful conversations, decisions and interventions, like the few listed below, are paramount. 

• In the past, US Fish and Wildlife installed and tracked Wood Duck nesting boxes at Warner's Pond as part of a monitoring program, and a few nesting boxes remain, though monitoring has stopped. Fortunately, there are reports that Wood Ducks are still present in Warner's Pond.

• Another successful intervention was the introduction of beetles as biocontrol agents to manage invasive Purple Loosestrife. The beetles eat the plant, which controls its spread. If you look carefully, you can find such beetles at Warner's Pond, and the invasive Purple Loosestrife that was once a huge problem, is now largely under control.

• A third intervention that has been somewhat effective in managing invasive water chestnut plants is mechanical hand pulling of the plant before it drops its seed pods. These plants remain a nuisance, but, with routine hand pulling, can be controlled.

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Maintaining the ecological health and beauty of Warner's Pond requires ongoing, proactive care. Various interventions, such as monitoring programs, biocontrol agents, and hand pulling of invasive plants, have already proven effective to some degree. Additional measures have been identified to further restore this remarkable pond, which feels like a wildlife refuge while paddling and observing its rich diversity of plants and animals. For example, dredging has been recommended to remove accumulated sediments, improve water quality and fish habitat, and eliminate invasive aquatic plant seeds. The safe use of herbicides and drawdown practices has also been suggested to reduce invasive plant populations and control their spread. Educating boaters about the importance of "clean, drain, dry" practices would help prevent the accidental transport of invasive species from other bodies of water, further safeguarding Warner's Pond.

These are important interventions that would ensure the pond remains both a thriving wildlife refuge and a cherished resource for aquatic recreation. Given the deep connection the pond has to our community's history and culture, it is only natural that we prioritize its restoration and care. Future generations will have the opportunity to write new chapters on how humans and nature can coexist harmoniously in this fertile and storied landscape, continuing to honor and sustain the legacy of Warner's Pond.