Emerald Necklace Conservancy

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy was incorporated in 1998 to "protect, restore, maintain and promote the landscape, waterways and parkways of the Emerald Necklace park system as special places for people to visit and enjoy." The Conservancy is the only organization that brings together the Necklace's residential neighbors, community and business leaders, park advocates, and national, state and local government officials to work for the renewal of this 1100- acre historic linear park system that stretches from the Back Bay to Dorchester. We convene 24 community-based groups and institutions to focus on system-wide parks concerns and collaborate on projects to benefit users of the 6 parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted: Back Bay Fens, Riverway, Olmsted Park, Jamaica Park, Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park.

Our programs include the Green Team and Youth Leadership Program, Volunteers in the Parks, Tree Initiative, Park Maintenance and Restoration, events including free Summer Sundays in the Parks, Tours, and Advocacy.

In the strategic plan completed in 2010, the Consevancy prioritized efforts to reinforce physically, through public policy and in the public's mind, Olmsted's bold conception of the Emerald Necklace as a single, continuous and multifunctional park system that serves as a natural flood control system, contributes to public health and adds to quality of life in Metropolitan Boston.