Water-full Life
A Weekly Journal on Aquatic Ecology 📝
Charles River, Cambridge, MA
September 15, 2024, ☀️I enjoyed reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The first chapter, 'Planting Sweetgrass,' recounts the creation story of Skywoman, who falls from the Skyworld carrying seeds. What resonates with me most is the indigenous philosophy of reciprocity with nature. Humans are seen as partners, not dominators, in the world's ecosystem, emphasizing mutual care between humans and the environment. Nature provides gifts, like sweetgrass and strawberries, which should be treated with gratitude rather than as commodities. Viewing nature as a gift fosters respect, responsibility, and sustainable practices.
Century Bog, Plymouth, MA
September 21, 2024, 🌧️Today, we visited Century Bog, a historic cranberry bog known for its unique blend of cranberry farming and wetland ecology. Despite the heavy rain, the field trip turned into an unexpected adventure. Our group worked together to collect data, identify various plants, mosses, and microorganisms in the river that meanders through the bog and learn about the biodiversity thriving in this ecosystem. Everyone collaborated smoothly, sharing ideas and assisting one another throughout the process. The challenge of working in wet conditions added to the fun, making it a memorable experience.
Science and Engineering Complex, Allston, MA
September 28, 2024, ☀️Capturing images of the indoor plants at the SEC was a moment of quiet observation, where I was reminded of the subtle yet significant relationship between plants and water in controlled environments. Unlike outdoor ecosystems, these plants depend entirely on carefully managed water inputs, making the building's design a crucial factor in their survival. This observation led me to reflect on how indoor plants not only enhance air quality but also serve as living reminders of our reliance on water infrastructure — an often invisible network that supports life, even in seemingly isolated, modern spaces.
Alewife Stormwater Wetland, Cambridge, MA
October 11, 2024, ☀️The field trip to the Alewife Stormwater Wetland was both beautiful and educational. As we strolled along the trails, we observed how the wetland carefully stores and filters stormwater, removing pollutants before they reach Alewife Brook. During discussions, we learned that the wetland plays a critical role in stormwater management, designed to mitigate flooding and improve water quality. In addition to its functionality, the wetland serves as a thriving habitat for plants, birds, and aquatic life, contributing to local biodiversity. What struck me most was how the space blends environmental purpose with public use. It invites people to enjoy nature while also supporting the ecosystem. This is a great example of how urban design can create reciprocal value.
Alewife Stormwater Wetland, Cambridge, MA
October 11, 2024, ☀️The second chapter of Braiding Sweetgrass, 'Tending Sweetgrass,' is a gentle yet firm reminder to heed traditional wisdom. Through the act of maple sugaring, Kimmerer illustrates how nature offers her gifts while reminding us that gratitude must flow back in return. As she shares her family's story of making syrup — the labor, the cold nights, and the slow transformation of sap into sweetness — it becomes clear that this is more than just work; it is a dance with the rhythms of the Earth. Maple sugaring is not simply about taking but about tending and nurturing the balance between giving and receiving. Kimmerer's words remind us that we are not separate from the land but woven into its stories, bound by an unspoken promise to honor what is given and to take on the responsibility to care for the Earth.
Leverett House, Cambridge, MA
October 20, 2024, ☀️This week in class, we explored Stormwater BMPs, Low Impact Development Green Design, and Nature-Based Solutions. I was particularly drawn to bioretention, which integrates open space with stormwater management. Intrigued by this approach, I observed campus rain gardens, a form of bioretention that mitigates water puddling after rainstorms. At Leverett House, for instance, the recessed gardens use a mix of soil, sand, compost, and mulch to retain water, gradually releasing it into drains or nourishing native plants. These gardens manage runoff while filtering pollutants, demonstrating a practical and eco-friendly solution.
SeaBus Waterfront, Vancouver, BC
October 26, 2024, 🌤️Reflecting on the Lower Don River in Toronto, which we use as a case study in class, I am reminded of the SeaBus Waterfront area in Vancouver that I visited before. While the waterfront there primarily serves marine transit, nearby spaces echo the balance of natural restoration and urban access seen along the Don. Spots like False Creek and Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon have undergone significant revitalization, transforming once-industrial areas into naturalized spaces that support public trails, ecological diversity, and renewed interactions with water. Much like the Lower Don, these sites demonstrate how waterfronts can shape urban experiences, fostering a deeper connection between nature and everyday life.
Charles River, Cambridge, MA
November 03, 2024, 🌒Tonight, as I walked along the Charles River, I often stopped to take photos of the plants and trees. The leaves have turned into deep, vivid shades of amber and crimson, as if holding onto the last warmth of the season. Against the darkening evening sky, they glow softly beneath the gentle riverbank lights. Alongside the river, the water moves slowly, mirroring this vibrant scene. Some leaves have already fallen, drifting in the water. Their colors shift and blend with the current, casting faint reflections of the trees. With the end of daylight saving today, darkness falls sooner. The night air felt cool, hinting that winter is not far off. Soon, these branches will stand bare, and the river will reflect only quiet grays. But for now, there is a special magic in this moment, with each leaf change and reflection signaling the slow passage of time toward winter's stillness.
Gund Hall, Cambridge, MA
November 10, 2024, 🌧️With the light drizzle filtering through the trees, the shadows feel almost like reflections on water, softened and shifting. Shadows ripple over house walls, blur along fences, and sink into the damp grass, almost as if they are swimming in the rain. There is something immersive about capturing these moments — the way rain transforms everything around me, even shadows, into something deeper and more fluid. Watching these aquatic impressions, I am reminded of how water and light together reveal a kind of layered beauty. They leave behind traces of life's constant motion, where even a shadow tells a story of connection between earth, light, and the soft embrace of rain.