Boston Flora

Month: January 2021

  • Wednesdays, January 13 & 27, February 10 & 24, and March 10 – Winter Neighborhood Naturalist Series, Online

    Enhance your outdoor observation skills, explore your nature questions, and uncover connections throughout the natural world with this online winter natural history series sponsored by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and taught by Tia Pinney and Flavio Sutti. You’ll study winter ecology and overwintering practices with us, and learn the tools and tricks to get the most out of independent visits, including how to contribute to community science databases.

    Each topic will consist of an online presentation; two weeks to complete assigned guided explorations, observation, and data gathering; and an online follow-up for discussion and questions. Mass Audubon members $75, nonmembers $90. Register at www.massaudubon.org, or email education@massaudubon.org.

    Winter topics covered:

    Introduction to Winter Ecology (1/13 & 1/27)

    Overwintering Strategies (1/27 & 2/10)

    Tracks & Signs (2/10 & 2/24)

    Winter Botany (2/24 & 3/10)

  • Wednesday, January 13, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – The Challenges of Restoring Urban Native Habitat, Online

    Patches of native habitat in urban and other degraded areas provide important ecological services. A design team developed and tested a series of planting that attempted to restore ecological connections between fragmented and degraded remnant habitats in large, urban areas. Old, urban landfills were planted with woodland patches of various sizes to determine how quickly mutualisms, including seed dispersal and pollination, occurred. Focusing on Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York and Orange County Great Park in California, where complex habitat was integrated with civic needs, Dr. Handel, in this January 13 Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar, will explore how these types of ecological solutions can be applied to many urban designs. The event begins at 12 noon and is free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/the-challenges-of-restoring-urban-native-habitat/

    Dr. Steven Handel is a Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution at Rutgers University where he studies the potential to restore native plant communities, adding sustainable ecological services, biodiversity, and amenities to the landscape. His research explores pollination, seed dispersal, population growth, and problems of urban and heavily degraded lands.
    Previously, Dr. Handel was Director of the Marsh Botanic Garden at Yale University, a Visiting Professor at Stockholm University, and Research Scholar at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He is the Editor of the professional journal Ecological Restoration and an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow of the Ecological Society of America. He was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and also received the Society for Ecological Restoration’s highest research honor, the Theodore M. Sperry Award. Dr. Handel received his BA from Columbia College in Biology and MS and PhD degrees from Cornell University in the Field of Ecology and Evolution.

  • Thursday, January 14, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Water Conservation in the Face of Climate Change, Online

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden lecture on January 14 at 6 pm features Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd, Director of Marketing and Social Responsibility at Denver Botanic Gardens. Like much of the West, Denver has a unique and evolving relationship to potable water. Outdoor water use accounts for more than half of Denver’s water consumption. Learn how Denver Botanic Garden is committed to showcasing beautiful gardens appropriate for a semi-arid climate while advancing water-efficient gardening and agriculture principles through educational programs and partnerships with like-minded organizations. Jennifer will discuss Denver Botanic Garden’s work on water conservation in the face of climate change and their mission-driven approach to community impact. 

    Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd has worked on water issues locally, nationally and internationally. She is the Director of Marketing and Social Responsibility at Denver Botanic Gardens, where she drives sustainability-oriented programming, partnerships and communications. She is also the co-director of the One World One Water (OWOW) Center, a joint initiative of the Gardens and the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Prior to coming to the Gardens in 2011, Jennifer worked for Rain Bird, where she spearheaded the company’s global CSR initiatives. Jennifer is a board member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, has served on the board of the American Public Gardens Association and was the co-organizer for the 2011 International Water Forum at the United Nations. Jennifer has an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, an MA in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

    $10 for BBG members, $15 for nonmembers. Advance registration required. https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/water-conservation-face-climate-change

  • Community Collaborative: Rain, Hail & Snow Network

    If you are looking for a fun and purpose-filled project that you or the whole family can enjoy from the convenient location of your own backyard join the ever-growing nationwide ranks of CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network) volunteer precipitation monitors. 

    The saying “Rain doesn’t fall the same on all” really proves to be true. How often have you seen it rain in your neighborhood and a few blocks away not a drop has fallen. If you get the chance, please take a moment to tell a friend or neighbor about this exciting grassroots effort of citizens measuring precipitation right in their own backyards.  It’s easy to join, takes only five minutes a day and is a fun way to learn about this wonderful natural resource that falls from the sky.  Your observations continue to give scientists an ever clearer picture of where and how much precipitation falls throughout our communities.


    What better way to start your day than getting outside, checking your rain gauge and reporting your findings to a database that will be used in real time by several agencies including the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If your mornings tend to be hectic, you can have an impact by providing weekly rainfall and general condition reports. Warning! Once you start monitoring rainfall you may become an expert on drizzle, downpours and drought. Otherwise you might just find an enjoyable pastime that connects you to the weather happening in your own and your community’s backyard.  

    CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz) is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in their local communities. By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.

    Our Web page provides the ability for our observers to see their observations mapped out in “real time”, as well as providing a wealth of information for our data users.

    For more information, please click here: Information about CoCoRaHS

    If you would like to sign-up as a volunteer observer and become part of our expanding network, please click here: “Join the CoCoRaHS Network“.    

  • Growing Strawberries, and Other Harbingers of Spring

    We were recently contacted by Jean Stark, an editor at Happy DIY Home, who suggested an article she researched on growing strawberries. Although we rarely suggest websites with heavy advertising (and this site is distractingly peppered with ads, unfortunately), the content is well researched. Founder Jen Stark (perhaps related to Jean?) is a master gardener, interior designer and home improvement expert. She has completed many home improvement, decor and remodeling projects with her family over the past 10 years on their 4,500 sf Victorian house. She is also a passionate farmer who keeps goats, chickens, turkeys cows and pigs on her farm, and an instructor for her community’s Organic and Sustainable Farming project.

    Another team member is Elizabeth Waddington, Permaculture Designer and Environmental Consultant. Elizabeth is a smallholder, permaculture designer and environmental consultant. When not designing food producing systems or advising growers around the world, she is to be found in her own garden. On her 1/3 of an acre patch of land she has a walled forest garden orchard (home to rescue chickens), a polyculture vegetable plot, a polytunnel, wildlife pond, wild woodland garden and more and is working every day towards greater self-sufficiency. She is passionate about sustainability and loves to inspire others about the wonderful things home gardeners can do for people and planet. Three other contributors are Brandye Barrington, a Home Remodeling Contractor, and Kaila Krayewski and Cailey Johanna Theissen.

    For the strawberry article, visit https://happydiyhome.com/growing-strawberries/

  • Thursday, January 14, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Green Infrastructure: Climate Resilience Block by Block, Online

    Thursday, January 14, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Green Infrastructure: Climate Resilience Block by Block, Online

    How are advocates and agencies working to create a more resilient Boston? During this unprecedented year, we know that despite the value parks have shown during this pandemic, challenges lie ahead.

    Fortunately, committed leaders have been working for a more resilient future for our parks and city. Join Boston Park Advocates online on January 14 at 6 pm to explore potential strategies to help build resilience block by block.

    • Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok (District 8) will share her perspective about needs and opportunities for Boston’s green spaces in addressing climate resilience, including the proposed Conservation Corps.
    • Christopher Cook, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston will offer remarks about funding and the intersectionality of climate resilience, racial equity, and workforce development as they relate to urban green spaces. Bring your questions or share them in advance. 


    The last portion of the event will be dedicated to advocates sharing their experiences caring for greenspaces across the city during the pandemic. Register HERE – link will be emailed to registrants in advance.


     

  • Thursdays, January 7 – 28, February 4 – 18, and March 4 – Massachusetts Wildlife Success Stories, Online

    Wildlife restoration efforts in Massachusetts can provide surprisingly good news within the wild world. Several animals, including some that were endangered or at risk, have made a comeback. The work takes collaborative partnerships, public support, habitat management, and many, many hours in the field by dedicated scientists and volunteers, but it is so worth it. Learn the stories of how populations dwindled and returned, and what it took to get there. The Massachusetts Audubon Society is sponsoring eight sessions online beginning January 7, from 7 pm – 8 pm. Discussions will include the Wood Duck, Black Bear, Loon, Osprey, Blanding’s Turtle, Diamondback Terrapin, Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon & American Kestral, and Spadefoot Toad. $90 for Mass Audubon members, $120 for nonmembers. Register at www.massaudubon.org or email education@massaudubon.org. Below is the Grand Prize winning photograph from the Mass Audubon 2020 Photo Contest, by Patrick Randall.

  • January, 2021 – How to Write a Family Cookbook Webinar with Ellen Ogden

    Anyone who loves to cook, also loves to read cookbooks, yet reading, writing and cooking are different skills. In this online class with Ellen Ogden, you will learn how to write a proper recipe, as well as develop your narrative voice to write about your food. She’ll share tips for how to photograph food for the camera, and capture those family memories. Class is limited to 10 students, small enough for an intimate conversation about food with other cooks.

    In this six-part cookbook writing class, you will explore how to read and write recipes, organize chapters and develop your narrative voice to get started on that cookbook you have been meaning to write, for yourself or your family. Add family photos, illustrations or discover how to style food for photographs. Let Ellen help you write your family memories and create a family cookbook.

    There is no better time to begin to gather the family recipes, and write your family cookbook. Discover how to add a head note and begin to lay out your cookbook for printing – ready in time for a special holiday gift, ideal as a wedding gift for a young bride, or as a family album to cherish. $175, but register today for a Free Introductory Class on January 6 at noon, Register by contacting Ellen at https://www.ellenogden.com/contact-ellen/



  • Wednesday, January 13, 7:00 pm – 2020, Birding Around a Pandemic, Online

    Join Athol Bird & Nature Club member and photographer Jeff Blanchard as he takes us on a tour of some of the interesting birds that have appeared amid the 2020 pandemic. 

    When: Jan 13, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

    Register in advance for this webinar by clicking HERE.

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom webinar.

  • Thursday, January 7, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Clarendon Street Play Area Design Meeting, Online

    Join a Zoom discussion on Thursday, January 7 at 6 pm to discuss existing conditions at the Clarendon Street Playground, and give your input on the design, Participation is free. For more information email nathan.frazee@boston.gov. Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84853435325?pwd=NFQwOHNzUVJsdS9NR0pvZGFFbkdLZz09#success