Daily Archives: June 14, 2015


Wednesday, June 24, 5:30 pm – Biodiversity at Mount Auburn

Mount Auburn Cemetery is conducting a survey of amphibians, reptiles, and fish that live here as part of our Wildlife Action Plan. Cover boards have been placed strategically around the grounds to monitor for snakes and amphibians. Join herpetologist Joe Martinez and ecologist Brooks Mathewson on Wednesday, June 24 for a walk to check the boards for evidence of amphibians and reptiles and learn more about the native amphibian reintroduction project and the diverse resident species of Mount Auburn. Meet at Story Chapel Visitor Center at 5:30 PM. Free for all ages.


Wednesday, June 24, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Edibles in the Landscape – Foraging and Growing Your Own

Edible wild plants offer opportunities for people to connect to nature via their taste buds, thereby building enthusiasm and support for land stewardship. Reconnect with the many edible plants that are all around us.

Join tour guide, Russ Cohen, to view plants in the landscape through a new lens. Russ Cohen’s “day job” is serving as the Rivers Advocate for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration. He is also an expert forager and the author of Wild Plants I Have Known… and Eaten, published by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. For more than 25 years, Russ Cohen has been teaching foraging and leading foraging walks each year at a wide variety of venues throughout the Northeast, including talks for the Garden Club of the Back Bay.

On this Wednesday, June 24 early evening walking tour of the landscape at Mass Audubon’s Habitat property in Belmont, Russ will point out which commonly found native and non-native plants have edible potential. Russ will discuss how adding edible plants to a landscape can boost biodiversity as well as “spice up” the experience for garden visitors. Learn about dozens of tasty native and non-native plant species that area landscapes have to offer, some of which may already be growing on your property. If your landscape is not rich with edibles yet, let this presentation be your inspiration to add edibles to your landscape this season. Register ($15 ELA members, $25 nonmembers) and see more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/edibles-in-the-landscape-foraging-and-growing-your-own/#sthash.S7t4kEYV.dpuf  Photo below of the Habitat property from www.everytrail.com.


Friday, June 26, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Summer Jams and Preserves

Preserve the fresh flavors of summer to enjoy all year long. Join Sur la Table at Copley Place on Friday, June 26 from 2 – 4 for this fun, hands-on class and learn the basics for preparing your own homemade jams, chutneys and marmalade. Our instructor will introduce you to the equipment you’ll need and show you techniques for prepping summer fruit, bringing jam to gel stage and more. Plus, we’ll walk you step by step through the canning essentials, from filling and sealing jars to the water-bath process. You’ll use these skills over and over again to easily create your own sweet or savor preserves—perfect for gifting or simply treating yourself. $69 per person. Reserve by phone at 800-243-0852 or on line at http://www.surlatable.com/sku/2120236/Summer+Jams+%26+Preserves