A time of creative observation :
W hile Mount Auburn was closed to most visitors in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic , a few consultants and volunteers came in to help with projects . One of those volunteers was member and citizenscientist Jeanne Mooney ( JM ). After we reopened , Grants & Communications Manager Anna Moir ( AM ) chatted with Jeanne about her unique experience in our landscape during the spring of 2020 .
AM : How did you first get involved at Mount Auburn ?
JM : Well , I ’ ve lived in Belmont since 1984 , so I have visited Mount Auburn for many years . But more recently , in 2017 , I got involved with the citizen-science program , which allows me to channel my interest in the natural world and also to do some good . Mount Auburn is a beautiful urban oasis , and citizen scientists have a community of connection to share and build knowledge together .
AM : Could you describe your experience of being here while we were mostly closed ?
MEMBER FEATURE :
Documenting Spring 2020 with Jeanne Mooney
JM : It was very quiet . I would go between 4:00-6:00 p . m . when the Cemetery was only open for visits to graves . The grounds crews would be gone for the day , and the only staff to greet with a distanced wave were the security guards , who I missed chatting with about bird or animal sightings . I was very aware that visitors were there to be with and mourn loved ones .
The wearing of masks and physical distancing also meant that there were fewer spontaneous interactions with folks . The beauty of the Cemetery lends itself to sharing such moments as spotting a Heron in the reeds at Willow Pond or a Redtailed Hawk perched on a monument , or simply stopping to share the scent of a Viburnum . I also missed seeing birders enjoying spring migration .
Written by Anna Moir Grants & Communications Manager
Photos by Jeanne Mooney
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Joel and Jeanne Mooney , Fountain Avenue , July 29 , 2020