Since 2003, The Esplanade Association has been working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the national organization GeesePeace to manage the rapidly growing population of resident Canada geese on the Esplanade.

The increasing number of geese created conflicts in the park, including an excess of droppings on playing fields and aggressive flocks. TEA made a commitment to addressing these human-goose conflicts in a safe and humane manner, and today the number of geese living on the Esplanade is slowly decreasing.

Learn more about our program from this piece on Greater Boston.

The GeesePeace program began in Fairfax County, Virginia, and it has been successfully implemented in numerous cities and towns across the country. It features humane, long-term, and cost-effective solutions to resolve the conflicts and unsanitary conditions caused by over-population of Canada geese. The three main components of the program are public education, including the promotion of a no-feeding policy, population stabilization in the form of egg addling, and a the regular presence of trained border collies to herd the geese out of the parkland.

Seeing our success, other conservation groups are taking up the gauntlet along the Charles, adopting the GeesePeace philosophy and practices in order to promote a healthier environment for park users and to keep the population of Canada geese in check for future enjoyment of area parks.

To find out more about GeesePeace Project Boston, contact the Living With Wildlife Program at the MSPCA at 617.522.7400 or at www.livingwithwildlife.org.

Project Location

The geese congregate all along the Esplanade, but our program focuses on three main areas of high use: Teddy Ebersol's Red Sox Fields, the Hatch Shell oval, and the Storrow Lagoon lawn.

Our Goals

• Promote and enforce a NO FEEDING policy
• Continue to employ a professional handler to herd resident Canada geese from areas of conflict using trained Border Collies
• Carry out a population stabilization program

Our Needs

Contributions of volunteer time and funds are needed for this project as no public funding or personnel are provided for the program.

Find out how you can help.

 

Photo- Header ©2002 Jeryl Oristaglio; Other photos in order of appearance, (1) Trinidad Rodriguez (2) Trinidad Rodriguez

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The Esplanade Association
10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02114
617.227.0365