Pterodactyl nests for Cambridge

Why has this ecological artist been building Pterodactyl nests in the city of Cambridge for the last 20 years?

 It all started a few years before when I helped convened a meeting about invasive species with state and federal agencies, watershed groups, the Audubon Society, university researchers and a few like me, practitioners in the nascent field of ecological restoration and ecological design. The giant reed Phragmites were in the headlines, and someone suggested that we make a list of the 10 problem plants and animals. My suggestion was Homosapien to nods of agreement and the third person after, turned to me and asked, “Hey that’s us!” My reply “We are the disease vector, all these problem species are because of us, and our actions are creating the 6^th great extinction on earth”.

It got me thinking about our dino ancestors that were dramatically wiped off the face of the earth apparently by a meteorite. Their death some say, made room for our evolution. Today of course with climate change, it’s warm enough for our dinos, so why not restore the Pterodactyl? They’re cool as all kids know and most adults forget. So, at Danehy Park I have been weaving the giant reeds into nests for the Pterodactyl. Sometimes I would involve a class of kids in the endeavor, it’s a great way to introduce ecology and inspire thinking about what we can change. The second picture is of kids weaving their ideas for a sustainable future. Its written-on cash register tape, what we buy is the most effective vote you know. Ive learned a lot from these kids over the years. This year during the second week of September, I will be building Pterodactyl nest again in the wetland of the Danehy Park, 90 Sherman Street Cambridge Ma. Come by and learn about all the changes in the land since the glaciers melted 10,000 years ago. You can help me scan the skies for the flying dragons; they might return yet.

Note: photography by Sujoy Cantandella

Terry Bastian is a proponent of Ecological Design, the art and science of adapting human culture to nature.  You can learn more at www.waterflowers.org