Join Green Cambridge for a week of free educational walks in the Alewife Brook Reservation, April 20 – 24. Learn about invasive plant species, local history, native biodiversity, and how to participate in the City Nature Challenge bioblitz on Friday, April 24. For complete information visit https://www.greencambridge.org
Join Chef Genevieve Meli as she discusses her book, Baking an Impact: Small Changes for More Sustainable Baking
Chef Genevieve Meli is an associate professor of Baking and Pastry Arts at CIA. Among the courses she teaches are Individual and Production Pastries, Baking and Pastry Skill Development, and Applied Baking and Pastry Production. She was the youngest-ever chef to earn the Certified Master Baker (CMB) designation and is also a Certified Higher Education Professional (CHEP). Meli is the author of two cookbooks: Baking an Impact: Small Changes for More Sustainable Baking and Sweet Nature. Outside of the classroom, she volunteers with the Stormville Fire Company Auxiliary and enjoys gardening at her 1800s farmhouse, where she and her husband are raising their son Leonardo.
The title is Chef Meli’s second work, and the first book to be published by CIA Press, the college’s own publishing imprint. The book showcases an incredible array of mouthwatering desserts, savory baked goods, and more, with an eye toward reducing food waste; utilizing alternative ingredients, grains, and pantry staples; and seasonality in the baking and pastry realm. Baking an Impact is available now at all CIA locations and Amazon. It’s an ideal gift for the sustainably minded baker on your list or for anyone looking to level up their baking skills.
“People don’t often consider sustainability when it comes to baking, in part, because the staples in many of our favorite baked goods—dairy, eggs, and refined flours—are inherently not sustainable because of sourcing and heavy processing,” said Meli. “My purpose behind Baking an Impact is to show how the smallest of changes can make a larger impact than you might expect,” according to Chef Meli.
Baking an Impact includes both sweet and savory recipes. Some of Chef Meli’s favorite recipes from the book are Coffee Coffee Cake, Wildflower Lollipops, Koginut Squash Gourds, and Blue Spirulina Oat Mint Truffles.
This free lecture is sponsored by Boston University’s Food Studies Programs and takes place April 16 at 6 pm at 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 124, Brookline, Massachusetts. Register at Eventbrite.
The Young Man and the Tree is gorgeous proof of ELLE Decor’s claim that Fernando Wong is “one of the most influential landscape designers in America.” As the luxuriant private gardens featured in this sumptuously illustrated book reveal, Wong has become renowned for designing not only landscapes of lushly layered foliage and flowers but also elaborate garden follies, pools, pool pavilions, outdoor kitchens, fountains, sculpture gardens, and hardscapes. Trained in architecture and interior design in his native Panama, Fernando Wong turned to landscape design after moving to the United States in 2001, and along with his partner, Tim Johnson, founded Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design in 2005. All the projects featured here are located in tropical climes, including Miami, Palm Beach, and Lyford Cay on Nassau. With a foreword by Martha Stewart and commentary by noted interior designers including David Netto, Miles Redd, and Amanda Lindroth, who decorated some of the homes for which Wong created the gardens, this book provides gardeners and garden lovers everywhere with fresh inspiration. $5 Conservancy members, $15 nonmembers. Register at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/events/web26-the-young-man-and-the-tree-fernando-wong-landscape-design
Marie Antoinette’s influence extended beyond fashion, shaping the interiors, decorative arts, musical tastes and even the gardens of her time. The queen made her mark on the palace of Versailles at the Petit Trianon, landscaping meandering English gardens and a rustic village hamlet that paid homage to the pleasures of the countryside.
The gardens influenced all aspects of her style, from the design of her gowns to her porcelain services. Whilst a true representation of Marie Antoinette’s personal style this retreat into a rural fantasy only fuelled public resentment, reinforcing perceptions of royal detachment.
This Gardens Museum talk, which will be livestreamed on April 14, will consider the creation of the queen’s greatest and most indelible legacy on the architecture of her time, one that has ensured her status as an early modern style icon. Hosted by Dr Sarah Grant, Senior Curator in the Department of Art, Architecture, Photography & Design at the V&A and curator of the current sold-out exhibition Marie Antoinette Style.
Register HERE. £10 Livestream
Join the Boston Interfaith Climate Allies on Sunday April 19 at 1:30 pm at The Embrace Memorial on Boston Common. The group will gather and walk with the BABAM Brass to the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul for sacred celebration including prayerful actions and Indigenous Closing Reflections. Bill McKibben will be guest speaker! RSVP at cotcbos.org For more information visit www.bica.earth. Partners for the event include Third Act, greenfaith, Boston Earth Day, and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light. Free.
A number of plants intimidate gardeners because they have the potential to overtake a garden space. These powerful plants, from mints to goldenrods, have a place in the garden if you know how best to work with them instead of against them. Join this Native Plant Trust webinar on March 31 at 5 pm Eastern to learn more about how to incorporate these ecological superheroes into your landscape. The session is led by Stephen Kiely. $25. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/hor1809-powerful-plants-in-the-garden/
The Thursday Garden Club of Sudbury will present the 1776 Flower Show, celebrating its 75th Anniversary, on April 16 and 17 at The Presbyterian Church, 330 Concord Road in Sudbury. The hours on Thursday are 3 – 7:30 and on Friday from 10 – 5. Free admission, handicap accessible.
Step inside eight exceptional private gardens across Worcester on June 21 for one special afternoon. This self-guided tour celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and landscapes rarely open to the public. Proceeds support the Worcester Garden Club’s Civic Projects Program, funding local beautification efforts and youth education initiatives.
Learn more and purchase tickets HERE. Garden tour only – $40. Tour and Secret Garden After Party – $125. All guests must check in at Coal Mine Brook Park, 616 Plantation Street in Worcester.
Starting with the iconic Globe Theater along the south bank of the River Thames, The Royal Oak Society trip on September 24 – October 4 will trace William Shakespeare’s journey back to his beginnings in pretty Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring significant time capsules such as his fascinating birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s idyllic cottage, learning how his wide-reaching influence is still felt over four centuries later. Continuing to the nearby Cotswolds, we discover how its medieval heritage, rolling countryside, ancient woodland, bubbling rivers and fairy tale castles provided the perfect inspiration and setting for the mischief, drama and courtship that the Bard’s plays are so famous for. Combining fiction with historical fact, familial power and beautiful landscapes, our memorable tour is complete with an introduction to the Welsh Marches, a region once dominated by conflict, where spectacular gems such as the Victorian Eastnor Castle and the primarily Tudor Hellens Manor await. $7,450 per person. To learn more visit https://www.royal-oak.org/britain-tours/shakespeare/ or call 212-480-2889, ext 203.
Join Newton Community Farm for Habitats and Adaptations with a naturalist and Animal Ambassadors from Mass Audubon. How do animals adapt physically and behaviorally to their environment? Learn how climate change may be affecting both habitat and animals. We hope to have two special guests common to farms and gardens join us for this event: a rabbit and a snake.
Whether you’re a home gardener, animal lover, or just curious about the natural world, this program offers a unique opportunity to learn from a leading naturalist about how wildlife is being effected by climate change. Perfect for nature lovers, families, and anyone curious about our changing world and what is happening to wild.
Where: Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459, Upper level of the barn—enter through white door.
When: Sunday, April 11, 2026 at 1 pm
Parking: Street parking is available on the farm side of Winchester and Nahanton Streets. Handicap parking is available in the driveway.
Cost: $10 Adult, $5 Child (up to age 17). Register at https://www.newtoncommunityfarm.org/events/habitatsandadaptations-with-mass-audubon-wbec8
To request a waiver of the registration fees, please email admin@newtoncommunityfarm.org.
