protection of wetlands & wildlife habitat

Invasive non-native aquatic species are a pervasive threat to wildlife habitats at the Horn Pond Conservation Area and throughout wetland areas in Woburn. The Friends of Horn Pond are partnered with the Woburn Conservation Commission, Earthwise Aware Inc, and the Mystic River Watershed Association to document, remove invasive plant species, and develop plans for wildlife habitat restoration.  

Invasive Species Guide from Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation is an excellent resource.

Join the EwA Invasive Floral Patrol and start documenting invasive plant species at Horn Pond today. 

 Photo by: Woburn City Engineering 

Each spring from April to June, Alewife and Blueback River Herring migrate approximately 13 miles from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mystic Lakes and then into Horn Pond. Each season, at the Scalley Dam at Horn Pond, river herring are counted and reported to the Mystic River Watershed Association for total migration estimates. Volunteers from the Friends of Horn Pond are trained river herring monitors. For details - 

Local Actions Matter: 2025 Herring Numbers Reach New Heights.  

Participation is always welcomed. All it takes is 1 hour per week of your time. You'll be trained well in advance of the season. Registration begins in February/March of the calendar year. Training sessions to follow. Check the events calendar for dates and times.

Read about the Horn Pond Fish Passage project that will allow for greater numbers of river herring to migrate into Horn Pond.  Horn Pond Fish Passage - City of Woburn 

Photo by: Keith Ellenbogen

Potential vernal pools have been identified in the Horn Pond Conservation Area and the Battle Road Woodland Conservation Area. Earthwise Aware, Inc received permission from the Woburn Conservation Commission to document the vernal pools and submit the documents to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) for certification. EwA uses a highly ethical and least intrusive method for documentation. 

Friends of Horn Pond is collaborating on the effort. 

Link to the Mass Audubon Vernal Pool Fact Sheet 

Link to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) 

Removing trash and debris along trails, walking paths, shorelines, brooks and streams is an important way to protect the health of the ecosystem. We have adopted methods such "clean-as-you-go", and "leave no trash behind". Through a collaborative effort with the Woburn DPW, additional trash containers are placed in strategic locations along trails. We hold seasonal cleanup events at Horn Pond, Shaker Glen, Middlesex Canal, and Library Field.

 In November 2023, the Friends of Horn Pond submitted a ""Request for Determination of Applicability" to the Woburn Conservation Commission, in compliance with the Mass DEP Wetlands Protection Regulations, for the installation of a "Debris Capture Device" at the head of Fowle Brook. The pilot study was performed from March 2023-October 2023. The Woburn Conservation Commission approved the installation. Additional boom type devices are planned for other areas in Woburn with approval from the Woburn Conservation Commission and Mass DEP.