SWAMPSCOTT — High School graduate and Girl Scout Effie Cobbett has made it her personal mission to clean up the Muskrat Pond and transform the neglected parcel into a fresh destination for the community to enjoy.
Cobbett is the first recipient of the Swampscott Conservancy’s $1,000 Environmental Focus Award Scholarship, which was designed to support young leaders who intend to pursue studies in environmental and related fields. In the fall, Cobbett will be attending Purdue University as a Biological Engineering Major and studying plant-based applications such as bioplastics and bioenergy.
“Ever since I joined Girl Scouts, I knew that I wanted to complete my Gold Award to make a positive impact on my community,” Cobbett said. “I wanted to make this area of woods, which I later found out is part of the Muskrat Pond conservation area, back into a space that could be enjoyed as much as I imagine it used to be when it was used by Project Adventure.”
Cobbett explained that there used to be high ropes and low ropes elements in the woods for kids to use and enjoy.
“Since it is conservation land, I wanted to do things that felt right in accordance with that, and so I decided on removing some of the invasive species, along with incorporating a natural play element, so that it feels like a welcoming space,” Cobbett said. “This natural play element is a set of wooden stepping stones from a fallen tree kindly donated by a neighbor of the site. There is also a bench that I built which allows people to enjoy the space in a calmer way as well.”
She continued, elaborating on the work that went into transforming the area.
“I started off by surveying for invasive species with Suzanne Hale, who is on the Conservation Commission and is my Girls Scouts Gold Award advisor. The DPW was extremely kind, and they removed the high and low ropes equipment. I then picked up trash in the area. I also removed Oriental Bittersweet, a lot of it, and Japanese Barberry. I also removed some burning bush around the entrance to widen it,” she said.
Cobbett said she had help from other students and Girl Scouts, who volunteered their time to help bring her vision to life.
“I had many volunteers from Swampscott High School and the Girl Scouts assist me with all of this, and I could never have done it without them. There were also many smaller things that went into making the project what it is today,” she said.
She elaborated on her vision, stating that she hopes the community gets to enjoy the open space.
“I want Swampscott residents, and anyone else, to be able to enjoy an area of nature. I also want younger residents to learn or strengthen their respect for the environment through connecting with nature through play in a way that creates a positive relationship between them and natural elements,” she said. “I think it is important to know about these environmental concerns earlier on, since these are issues that can actually be tackled locally, and not just by experts.”
Swampscott Conservancy President Tonia Bandrowicz expressed how proud she was of Cobbett’s efforts to transform the area.
“Her creative and innovative personality and incredible dedication and energy is what is needed to solve the environmental challenges facing our world today,” Bandrowicz said. “We at the Conservancy wish her great success in all her future endeavors.”
Cobbett is also planning on hosting an opening ceremony for the updated area — though as of now, there is no tentative date set for the reveal — where the community will be encouraged to head down to Muskrat Pond for the grand unveiling.
