Boston Flora

Category: Cape Cod & Islands

  • Tuesday, May 22 – Thursday, May 24 – Hands On Wetland Creation Workshop

    As part of the Spadefoot Toad Restoration Project, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, in collaboration with the Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the SFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, will conduct a two day hands on wetland creation workshop in Barnstable on Tuesday, May 22 through Thursday, May 24.

    Isolated wetlands provide vital habitat to many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, a majority of these ecosystems have been lost due to draining and filling throughout North America. These landscape modifications are now affecting recovery efforts for endangered species, reducing water quality, increasing flooding, and reducing ground water supplies. Fortunately, it’s now possible to construct ponds and wetlands that look and function similar to natural wetlands, with desired hydro-periods, aquatic vegetation, and animal life. While protection and restoration of natural wetlands remain the highest priorities, creation can be an important option where wetland habitats have been lost. This hands-on workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands for wildlife. Participants will see how wetland projects can be planned in forested and open areas, on vast expanses of public land, and even on school grounds to benefit plants, animals, and people. Attendees will discover how to select the best locations for building wetlands, test soils, choose construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native plants. Also, through a series of presentations, participants will learn about conservation efforts using reintroduction, translocation, and habitat restoration techniques and learn about Eastern spadefoot toad conservation efforts on Cape Cod. A field trip to a nearby spadefoot population is included.

    Who should attend? Biologists, foresters, hydrologists, engineers, technicians, educators, land trusts, and other non-profit and environmental org professionals.

    Cost: $240 which includes lunches on three days, hand-out materials, signed copy of the book Wetland Restoration and Construction – A Technical Guide by Thomas Biebighauser, and more!
    Location: 345 Bone Hill Rd. Barnstable, MA .  Please hurry, registration is limited to 30 participants! Visit www.massaudubon.org to download the complete brochure.

  • Thursday, May 31, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, and Friday, June 1 – Sunday, June 3 – Cape Art Blooms

    The Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis, Massachusetts, will present Cape Art Blooms: Floral Interpretations of Art, beginning with a gala preview Thursday, May 31 from 5:30 – 7:30, and continuing on through the weekend.  Hours on Friday and Saturday are 10 am – 5 pm, and on Sunday noon – 5 pm.  For tickets and complete details, call 508-385-4477, or visit www.ccmoa.org.  Tickets to the preview are $50 per person.

  • Monday, September 24 – Wednesday, September 26 – Landscapes of Nantucket

    Join the Polly Hill Arboretum for this visit to our island neighbor to explore the Nantucket landscape.  While Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket share similar ecosystems, we will also discover some diffferences in the landscapes.  With the help of colleagues at the Nantucket Land Council, we will visit a few conservation properties and learn about land preservation on Nantucket. Downtown Nantucket is also home to some majestic street trees, including several American elms.  The trip will include a walking tour with Nantucket’s tree warden, to learn about the legacy of these historic trees.  Two private garden visits, arranged by the Nantucket Garden Club, are also included in the tour.  The tour price includes round trip airfare from Martha’s Vineyard to Nantucket via Cape Air, two nights at the Jared Coffin House, all ground transportation on Nantucket, and a $100 tax deductible contribution to the Polly Hill Arboretum.  $694 per person for queen sized bed (based on double occupancy), $660 per person for full sized bed (based on double occupancy), and $510 per person for room with one twin bed.  Tour is limited to 18 people, so sign up early by calling 508-693-9426, visiting www.pollyhillarboretum.org, or emailing karin@pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – 2012 Lower Cape Home & Garden Expo

    Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, 351 Pleasant Lake Avenue (Route 124) will be the location of the 2012 Lower Cape Expo, hosted by the Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans and Eastham Chambers of Commerce. This popular event will feature products and services for your home, garden, and lifestyle from local businesses.

    It will showcase the latest and greatest products and services for residents in home improvement, outdoor living, interior design, restaurants, decorative accessories, health and nutrition, fitness, financial planning, electronics, plus seasonal items, decorations and ideas! For directions and more information, visit www.lowercapeexpo.com.

  • Saturday, February 11, 8:30 am – 12:00 noon – Southeastern Massachusetts Land Trust Convocation

    Join fellow conservation professionals, volunteers and board members for a morning of free topical workshops on Saturday, February 11, from 8:30 – noon at the Canal Club Facility, Trowbridge Road (off the Bourne Bridge Rotary), Quality Inn Hotel in Bourne, Massachusetts. Come hear about: * How to deal with property violations and fund stewardship * The new Massachusetts tax credit incentive for conservation donations * Developing good governance policies for your organization * Using new media to reach out to your members and others. Funding for the Convocation is provided by The Island Foundation of Marion, MA. Co-sponsored by The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc, Coalition for Buzzards Bay, Inc, & the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, Inc.  For more information, visit www.thecompact.net.

  • Saturday, January 21, 3:30 pm – Mill Brook Restoration: Opportunities and Challenges

    There will be a discussion on the Mill Brook restoration with Michael Hopper, President of the Sea Run Brook Trout Coalition, on Saturday, January 21 at 3:30 pm at the West Tisbury Library on Martha’s Vineyard.  Mr. Hopper will share his experiences of restoration efforts for stream restoration in southeastern Massachusetts for sea-run brook trout habitat.  Free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.searunbrookie.org.

  • Now Through Sunday, December 18, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Gardens Aglow

    Tis the season to be jolly! Don’t miss Heritage Museum & Garden’s annual celebration of lights that finds its buildings and grounds awash in festive lights. They’ll help you get into that holiday spirit. Come stroll the grounds, toast marshmallows at the Magnolia Cafe, take a spin on a carousel, and enjoy holiday music and performances each evening. Old St. Nick will also drop by each night for pictures in our Ford Model T (his sleigh must be in the shop). Free with museum admission.  For directions and more information, visit www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

  • Saturday, November 12, 10:00 am – Polly Hill Arboretum Guided Walk

    This Saturday, November 12, join Polly Hill Arboretum Executive Director Tim Boland for a guided walk through the grounds.  Right now there is much to see, including witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), pictured below, which has begun to bloom.  This Martha’s Vineyard native plant has spidery flowers and a soft fragrance.  The walk begins at 10 am.  This is the first of a winter walk series, which will be held the second Saturday of the month, through March.  Tours run about an hour and begin at the Visitor Center.  Tours are free, although a donation is always appreciated.  For more information, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Aster Identification Workshop

    Join Polly Hill Arboretum research associate Melissa Dow Cullina for a workshop on the Identification and Ecology of Asters, September 30 – October 1, 9 – 3. In this intensive two-day workshop students will study the many asters of Martha’s Vineyard. On day one, Cullina will give a presentation on the species reported for the Island, discussing their various features, abundance, and habitat, and introduce students to terminology and morphology specific to asters using photographs and specimens. Day two the class will go afield to practice identification in the wild using field guides and manuals. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Bring a brown bag lunch. $120/$100 for PHA members. $80 for professionals associated with Island land management or conservation. Register by calling 508-693-9426.  Photo by Susan Safford, originally published in the Martha’s Vineyard Times.

  • Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm and Thursday, September 29, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Celebrations at Briggs-McDermott House

    The Aptucxet Garden Club of Bourne presents Celebrations at Briggs-McDermott House, a holiday standard flower show, on Wednesday, September 28 from 1 – 7, and Thursday, September 29 from 10 – 2.  Admission is $10, and tickets will be available at the door.  The historic Briggs-McDermott House is located at 22 Sandwich Road, Old Bourne Village, Massachusetts.  Enjoy complimentary refreshments, a boutique, and view lovely floral designs, lush horticulture and historic gardens in a Greek revival house, furnished circa 1840 – 1910.  The house is just 1/4 mile from the Bourne Bridge Rotary.  For directions an information contact Jan Browne at 508-563-3945, or email her at jbdedham@aol.com.