For more information, call the Conservancy office at (617)232-5374 or link to our homepage.
Somewhere between miles 1 and 13 try to forget the aching your feet and the stiffness in your side and take a moment to look around and enjoy the landscape before you -- the spectacular hills, meadows and waterways of the Emerald Necklace. 
What BAA Half Marathon™ runners are fortunate to experience is what Frederick Law Olmsted intended when he created this unique linear park system – a place where “the parkway would create a sure route from the heart of the city a distance of six miles into its suburbs” and where the beauty of landscape would transform the human spirit. 
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is working to permanently re-establish Olmsted’s vision of a pleasure route with distinctive landscapes, waterways, bridges and other structures. We are working to provide safe connections for runners, bicyclists and pedestrians to and through the parks, and to reinforce the Emerald Necklace as a continuous green/open space system. Our work program also focuses on parks restoration and maintenance, public education and outreach, volunteer parks improvement programs, review of projects proposed in and around the parks, and other activities. The Conservancy’s programs and funding support and complement initiatives by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City of Boston and Town of Brookline who began the Emerald Necklace’s restoration in the 1980s. 
Join us in keeping Olmsted’s vision alive. Supporters receive our newsletter; special publications; invitations to meetings, conferences and special events; preference for volunteer program participation; and, other benefits. 

Conservancy Supporters: (For other categories contact the Conservancy)

q Tree Hugger (and proud of it!) ($500 +)
q Friend of the Flora and Fauna ($250 +)
q Parks Contributor ($150-$249)
q Grassroots Supporter ($50-$149)
q Supporter ($25)

Special for Participants in the BAA Half-Marathon™ : Join at the “Parks Contributor” level and receive the new 150+page, four-color publication (from Silver Lining Books/Barnes & Noble) on Boston’s public parks and open spaces as a memento of your run in the Necklace and as a thank you for your support of the Conservancy.

Please mail your contribution to: Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Two Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445

Call the Conservancy at (617) 232-5374 for details on our Corporate Membership Program. 
Volunteer Opportunities
Preservation and restoration of the Emerald Necklace are no small tasks!  If you are interested in volunteering your time and special skills, please call the Conservancy office at (617) 232-5374. We have opportunities in: public relations/communications; events coordination; parks clean-ups and plantings; administrative work; and, other activities.  We look forward to working with you!

Upcoming Volunteer Events in the Emerald Necklace:

October 26, 2002:  Make-a-Difference Day – Volunteer Program
         Partnering with Boston and Brookline, the Conservancy is sponsoring a variety of volunteer activities in the Emerald Necklace.  Watch for more details on our website as the date approaches, or call Brandy Van Horn at (617) 232-5374 to get involved.

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR RUNNERS
·        The beautiful banners which hung around the course from the Inaugural BAA Half Marathon™ (in 2001) are available through the Conservancy:

        Banners (one side of the pole) - $50.00; two sides of the pole - $75.00   

Quantities are limited, so call the Conservancy office for more information. All proceeds support our work in the Emerald Necklace and are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

·        Get a special reminder of your run, and return to run, walk or bike the parks with a copy of the just-published “The Complete Illustrated Guidebook to Boston’s Public Parks and Gardens” which features the parks of the Emerald Necklace.  

      Runners in the BAA Half Marathon™ can purchase copies to be autographed at the Half       Marathon weekend by “a famous runner” (we’re not telling who yet).
            $20 for books to be signed; $15 for unsigned books.
            There is an additional, minimal cost for shipping and handling.
The Conservancy receives a portion of the proceeds from each book we sell—so order your copy through us today by calling (617) 232-5374!

Last Updated 8/27/02