Boston Flora

Month: August 2019

  • Wednesday, April 1 – Saturday, April 11 – Discover Botanical Hawaii

    Wednesday, April 1 – Saturday, April 11 – Discover Botanical Hawaii

    Explore the finest botanical gardens and lush native flora on Hawaii, Oahu, and Kauai. Once a year, The Native Plant Trust offers a trip to a destination that abounds in unusual flora. On April 1 – 11, you will explore dramatic terrain, experience the nature and culture of the country, and meet other travelers who share your interests. Places are still available for our next trip, a journey to the heart of the Pacific, the Hawaiian Islands.

    This botanical expedition begins on Oahu, where we will explore Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Foster Botanical Garden, Lyon Arboretum, Komo Crater Botanical Garden, and Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden with John Stallman, a biologist and former ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Then we will go to Hawaii to visit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii Volcano National Park, Kalopa State Recreation Area, and Lava Tree State Park. The adventure will finish on Kauai, where we will tour the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s Allerton Garden and McBryde Tropical Garden, Limahuli Gardens, Waimea State Park, and Koke’e State Park. We will travel to Hawaii with Betchart Expeditions, Inc. Click here to download a brochure with a complete itinerary. 

    Solanum mammosum at Foster Botanical Garden

  • Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15, Thursday, September 19 – Sunday, September 22, and Thursday, September 26 – Sunday, September 29 – Nature: A Walking Play

    The Trustees and TigerLion Arts present Nature, the mythic telling of Emerson and Thoreau’s mutual love affair with the natural world. The Old Manse in Concord—where Ralph Waldo Emerson lived while writing his famous essay “Nature” and where he, Henry David Thoreau, and other leading Transcendentalists discussed and debated the issues of the day—provides the most fitting location for a stop on this nationwide touring production.

    Grounded in the story of their friendship, this virtuosic production offers a perspective on their lives that is strikingly relevant, richly complex, and yet utterly simple. Nature is performed outdoors as a “walking play.” A professional ensemble of actors takes the audience on a journey through the natural environment as scenes unfold around them. Bagpipes, ancient flutes, drums and rich choral arrangements are intricately woven into the experience. 

    Nature is an extraordinary, immersive and family-friendly journey that co-mingles story, spirit, and nature, as a means to reconnect its audience with the natural world. This original work is collaboratively created with writer/actor Tyson Forbes, a direct descendant of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    Performances will take place Friday, September 13 and Thursday & Friday, September 19 & 20 from 5:30 – 7, Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15 from 1 – 2:30 and from 5 – 6:30, Saturday, September 21, 1 – 2:30 and 7:30 – 9, and Sunday, September 22 from 5 – 6:30. Please visit www.thetrustees.org for details on times for the final weekend. Member adults $25, member child $15, nonmember adult $35, and nonmember child $20. Contact oldmanse@thetrustees.org or call 978-369-3909. A minimal amount of walking over uneven ground may be expected, and feel free to carry along your own folding chair. Garden Club of the Back Bay members saw the production last year and give it five stars!

  • Wednesday, September 11, 7:00 pm – Conservation of North Pacific Albatrosses

    Dr. Paul Sievert, U. S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fisheries & Wildlife research Unit, Short-tailed Albatross Recovery, will speak on September 11 at 7:00 pm at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. As a founding member of the Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team, Dr. Paul Sievert has been applauded for his leadership and involvement in albatross recovery efforts. Dr. Sievert has been the eyes, ears, and scientific expert for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on recovery initiatives for the species in Japan and the United States. He has been cited for his “incredible positive attitude, coupled with indisputable expertise in albatross biology and mastery of field techniques.” He has traveled to Torishima Island and engaged in satellite-tagging the birds. Dr. Sievert’s skills enabled the recovery team to model different scenarios, ultimately generating a consensus on measurable and defensible draft and final recovery criteria. Since he began his work, the global population of the short-tailed albatross has increased at a remarkable 7 percent per year! Free. For more information visit http://atholbirdclub.org

  • Thursday, September 26, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – There is Something Brewing in Charlesgate

    Please attend the second annual Charlesgate Alliance fundraising event on Thursday, September 26 from 6 – 8 pm: There is Something Brewing in Charlesgate

    Have you heard about the progress on the Charlesgate Dog Park? Come enjoy a fun and memorable evening on the outdoor courtyard of the Charlesgate & Barnes Mansion, 4 Charlesgate East, to learn more and find out how you can help!

    All proceeds will benefit The Charlesgate Alliance. Rain or shine. Tickets are $75. Purchase them online at www.charlesgatealliance.org.

  • Saturday, September 7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Native Plants for Natural Dyes

    This Native Plant Trust program at Nasami Farm on September 7 from 10 – 5 will explore the methodology of dyeing fibers using native and naturalized plant species. Through lecture materials, we will cover the basics of dyeing in ethnobotany, plant chemistry, and concepts of sustainable use. We will go into the field to identify and collect some plant material, and then go through the process of mordanting and dyeing raw wool, cotton, and silk fibers. Taught by Yoni Glogower, the class is $105 for NPT members, $126 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org

    Carlo Russo, Cool Yarns

  • Sunday, September 8, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – “What Can I Do?” – The Evolving Role of Community Science in Conservation

    Community science is the engagement of passionate members of the general public, often with little or no previous training, in the advancement of scientific knowledge and discovery. As environmental threats to our natural world mount, community science has become critical to collecting and analyzing data to help make conservation decisions. Come and learn about the history of community science, how the Native Plant Trust utilizes community science, and the impacts you can have as a community scientist. The talk takes place September 8 beginning at 10:30 and is $23 for NPT members, $27 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

    Photo by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle

  • Thursdays, September 5 & 12, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Introduction to Aquatic Plants of New England

    Aquatic habitats of the Northeast support a high diversity of plants. Learn how to identify local native and invasive aquatic plants through a two session hands-on review of vegetative and floral characteristics. Discover the amazing adaptations plants have made to live in water. Lori K. Benoit will teach this Native Plant Trust class at Nasami Farm in Whately on September 5 and 12 from 6 – 9 pm. $90 for NPT members, $108 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplantrust.org.

  • Thursdays, September 5 and 12, and Sunday, September 22, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Native New England Vines and Climbers

    Vines and climbers are an ecologically important and varied group of plants in New England. Learn about 50 native climbers that vary widely in their size, form and complex adaptations to aid their climbing habit. Become familiar with identification characteristics in this three part Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods on September 5, 12, and 22, from 10:30 – 2:30, taught by Neela de Zoysa. Bring a hand lens. $180 for NPT members, $216 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Wednesday, September 11, 7:00 pm – The Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening: Why Native Plants Matter to Songbirds and the Food They Eat Webinar

    Residential landscapes and gardening practices can have a positive (or negative) impact on wildlife. In this September 11 Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar, Dr. Desiree Narango will speak about her research studying plant and wildlife interactions. The talk will focus on her recent work comparing the contributions of native and non-native plants to food webs by studying breeding birds in Washington, D.C. suburban yards. In addition, she will talk about the relationships between plants and insects, why insects matter to birds, and steps you can take in your landscape designs or in your own yards to improve habitat for wildlife. Dr. Narango will also share resources to find more information about nature-friendly gardening and participating in community-driven science.

    Dr. Desiree Narango is a Postdoctoral Researcher at City University of New York and a visiting researcher at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research interests include urban/suburban ecology, plant-animal interactions, and community-driven science (to name a few). Desiree has a PhD in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology from University of Delaware, a M.S. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University, a B.S. in Environmental Biology from SUNY: ESF and over 15 years’ experience studying wildlife. She’s also an active birder and gardener who really enjoys getting others excited about the natural world in their own yards. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandcaping.org.

  • Sunday, September 8, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – New England Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale

    This competitive show features brilliant blooms, fascinating foliage, and the chance to learn from expert growers. The New England Carnivorous Plant Society brings its best to this Tower Hill Botanic Garden show each year. Free with admission to the Garden. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

    Sarracenia Mitchellliana x leucophylla Hampshire – photographer Sarah Cuttle